What is the First Earth Age?

Definition and Terminology

The term “First Earth Age” commonly refers to the original period of the earth’s existence following the moment of its creation. While the phrase “First Earth Age” does not appear explicitly in Scripture, some interpret various biblical passages to suggest distinct phases of the earth’s history, beginning with the creation described in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In this view, the “First Earth Age” unfolds from God’s initial creative act through events that include the Garden of Eden, the Fall, and the subsequent generations up until significant transformative events like the Flood.

Biblical Foundation

1. Creator and Creation

Genesis 1:1–2 reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep.” This opening statement affirms an ultimate Creator responsible for bringing all matter and life into existence. Any discussion of a first age depends on recognizing God’s sovereignty and intentional act of creation.

2. The Forming of the World

Genesis 1:7–10 recounts how God separated the waters, formed land, and set the earth under orderly processes. These verses are often central to the idea of an “age”—a distinct, purposeful period in which God prepared the earth for habitation.

3. Humanity’s Role

In Genesis 1:26–28, humankind is created in the image of God and is charged with stewardship over creation. This elevated role underscores that the First Earth Age is not only about the physical planet but also about humanity’s fellowship with God and responsibility over the created world.

4. The Fall and Its Consequences

Genesis 3 describes how Adam and Eve disobeyed God, leading to the introduction of sin and death. This pivotal event shapes the continuation of the “First Earth Age,” as the earth and humanity became subject to decay and mortality (Romans 5:12).

5. The Pre-Flood World

Genesis 5–6 outlines genealogies and depicts the increasing corruption on the earth. The culminating judgment of the Flood (Genesis 7–8) dramatically transforms the world. Some regard this event as bringing the “First Earth Age” to a close, after which a newly cleansed earth emerges.

Chronological Considerations

Ussher’s chronology and similar views place creation roughly 6,000 years ago. This dating approach relies on genealogical records found in passages like Genesis 5 and 11, which list the ages of individuals from Adam to Abraham. While not all believers agree on these calculations, proponents of a young-earth framework contend that the genealogies provide a historical outline for the First Earth Age up to the Flood, then continue through the post-Flood era.

Comparison with the Gap Theory

Some interpreters propose a “gap” between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, suggesting a long, undefined period before the six days of creation. This view sometimes refers to a previous earth age that was destroyed—all prior to Adam’s arrival. However, those holding a straightforward reading of Genesis typically maintain that no explicit biblical text supports this gap. Instead, they see a continuous narrative from God’s initial creative work to the shaping of the earth in six literal days.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

1. Ancient Near Eastern Records

While extrabiblical creation myths exist, the Genesis account is distinct in style and emphasis—focusing on a single sovereign Creator. Archaeological finds, like ancient Mesopotamian tablets, invite comparisons yet highlight the unique monotheistic framework of Scripture.

2. Genealogical and Linguistic Studies

Scholars examining ancient manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, note the consistent transmission of the Genesis text. This reliability supports the claim that the recorded genealogies linking Adam to later figures are carefully preserved and historically valued by ancient Israelites (cf. Dead Sea Scrolls fragments of Genesis).

3. Early Settlements

Archaeological sites (e.g., Jericho) align, in part, with biblical chronologies of human civilization following floods or natural catastrophes. Though interpretations differ, the integrative approach emphasizes how biblical history can and does intersect with tangible evidence in the ancient Near East.

Philosophical and Theological Elements

1. God’s Eternal Nature

The notion of a first age rests on the premise that the universe had a beginning, but God has no beginning. Psalm 90:2 declares, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” Thus, any “first age” affirms God is the eternal source of existence.

2. Purpose and Design

The structured ordering in Genesis 1 suggests an intelligent design rather than random processes. Many interpret scientific evidence, such as the fine-tuning of physical constants, as consistent with a purposeful creation. References to design in biology, geology, and cosmology often highlight the precise conditions necessary for life, affirming Scripture’s portrait of an intentional Creator (see Romans 1:20).

3. The Role of Miracles

Creation itself is, by definition, a supernatural event—one that points to a God who can operate beyond natural law. For believers, this foundation paves the way to accept other miracles recorded in Scripture, culminating in the resurrection of Christ.

4. Hope and Redemption

The Fall within this First Earth Age introduced death and corruption (Genesis 3). The solution, Scripture teaches, is the redemption found through Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:21–22). This underscores that even in the earliest age, there was a divine design for redemption, shrouded then but revealed in the New Testament.

Support from the New Testament

1. Jesus and the Beginning

Jesus references the beginning of creation (Mark 10:6), underscoring the belief in a real, historical start point. Christ’s words lend weight to the understanding that God’s act of creation is both literal and foundational to understanding humanity’s origin.

2. Peter’s Description of the World

2 Peter 3:5–6 states, “…long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world of that time perished in the flood.” This reminds readers that the pre-Flood world—commonly viewed as the First Earth Age—experienced a cataclysmic end, while God’s ultimate plan continued.

Addressing Questions and Misconceptions

1. Is the First Earth Age Merely Symbolic?

Some hold that the creation narrative is metaphorical. However, the genealogical details, consistent textual transmission, and references by Jesus and other biblical authors attest to the significance of an actual historical beginning rather than a purely symbolic myth.

2. What About Dating Methods?

In fields like geology and cosmology, disagreements arise with a literal six-day creation view. However, proponents of a young-earth model often challenge assumptions underlying conventional dating methods. They cite phenomena such as soft tissue in dinosaur fossils and carbon-14 in coal beds to suggest that standard timelines may require re-examination.

3. How Does This Affect Christian Living?

The concept of creation and the First Earth Age stresses God’s sovereignty and humanity’s commission to reflect His nature. Recognizing an original world shaped by divine design can inspire respect for life, stewardship of creation, and gratitude for the redemption unfolding throughout biblical history.

Summary and Conclusion

The First Earth Age, as commonly understood in discussions of early Genesis, refers to God’s initial creation of the earth and humanity’s life in a pristine world that eventually succumbs to sin and the Flood. It underscores themes of divine sovereignty, design, purpose, and moral accountability.

Biblical texts point to a real chronological unfolding: from God’s creative words in Genesis 1 through to the judgment of the Flood in Genesis 7–8. Coupled with references in the New Testament and support from manuscript reliability, this view forms a cohesive narrative that interprets early earth history as literal, purposeful, and ultimately centered on a Creator who began, upholds, and redeems human history.

As a topical entry, the First Earth Age illuminates how God’s plan for humanity was instituted “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) and continues to find fulfillment in Christ’s resurrection and the hope of a restored, future reality that Scripture calls a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Such a view affirms that history—beginning with the First Earth Age—has ongoing significance as it shapes the believer’s understanding of past, present, and eternal destiny.