Pluto, Part 5 - Catastrophe in the Heavens
By Clint Bishard
Jesus Created Ministries
Last time, I discussed the exponential
mathematical formula that predicts the average distance to many of the planets
in our solar system. Specifically, the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus follow this formula known as the Titius-Bode
Law. However, the evidence for a clear pattern of design in our solar system
was diminished with the discovery that Neptune (our 4th largest
planet) does not follow the formula. Additionally, some unanswered questions
remain concerning Ceres and Pluto. Should Ceres be considered a planet since
it follows the formula, but is relatively small with a diameter of about 600
miles and is located with thousands (or even millions) of other smaller
fragments known as the asteroid belt? What about Pluto?
To tackle the above issues, I want to point out
that, Biblically; we could expect to see clear patterns of design (which we do)
as well as evidence for catastrophe. Initially, God created a perfect solar
system. For after the final day of creation, “Then God saw everything that
He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Gen1:31). This creation
included our solar system on day 4 (Gen 1:14-19). However, the description of
the original perfect creation does not fit with many of the harmful objects we
now observe in our solar system. For example, the idea of meteorites hitting
the Garden of Eden just does not harmonize with the paradise described in
Genesis. Yet, we see a history of meteorite impacts all over the earth, not to
mention the moon and the other terrestrial planets. However, this was not the
case originally, for Rom 8:21-22 states “21because the creation
itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious
liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole
creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Rom
8:21-22). Therefore, we see from the Scriptures that the creation was
originally very good, but now the whole of creation, including the solar
system, groans and needs to be delivered from the bondage of corruption. This
corruption appears to have affected the solar system catastrophically as noted
by the many dangerous objects in our solar system that have and still are
threatening the earth.
Biblically, the fall (Gen 3) and the Flood (Gen
6-9) are the two most likely timeframes in our history for a catastrophe in our
solar system. God unleashed significant judgments as a result of man’s sin
during these events. It is likely that one or both of these judgments included
effects in the heavens. I believe the time of the Flood is the best fit for
such a catastrophe in our solar system. Man’s lifespan was consistently long
before the Flood, followed by an exponential reduction in lifespan that
occurred after the Flood. Additionally, we know that many of God’s creatures
that were alive before the Flood (like dinosaurs), could not survive in the
post-Flood environment. This dramatic change in the environment of the earth
could have been a result of a much larger judgment by our God during the time
of the Flood. It could have been that meteorite impacts on the earth were even
the reason “all the fountains of the great deep were broken up” (Gen
7:11) at the beginning of the Flood. Additionally, the post-Flood earth shows
signs of significant meteorite impacts that have not been equaled in our modern
times. I believe this all points to a catastrophe of “Biblical proportions” in
our solar systems past.
I hope you will join me next time as I discuss current
evidence within our solar system that points to the catastrophic explosion of a
past planet.
Go to part 6 of this series