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Differing Earth Age Models Based on Carbon-14 Dating of Coal and Diamonds

Erik C. Hanson

Respectfully submitted to: Dr. Tim Clarey, Ph.D.

Liberty University

PHSC 210 B04, Elements of Earth Science

June 24, 2021

Differing Earth Age Models Based on Carbon-14 Dating of Coal and Diamonds

Introduction

This paper looks at both sides of the coin regarding young- and old-Earth research into

radioisotope dating of coal and diamonds (both contain between 70-100% carbon). Both sides

have excellent and relevant research but are presented in a way to skew the view of Earth age to

their own preference. Because I am a Christian who believes that God can do and has done

anything for His own purpose, my personal position on this topic is one of uncertainty. I will

present arguments in favor of the young-Earth model but have an open mind to what the future

holds for God’s revelation on the subject.

The first argument is based on the three assumptions of radioisotopic dating, that sets a

precedence of knowledge gained from testing. Secondly, research in the past decade has shown

examples of how Carbon-14 (C-14) dating methods is showing more frequently that the Earth is

not as old as evolutionary scientists believe. The last argument will speak of what scripture says

about the age of the Earth.

Arguments

Here is a nutshell description of C-14 dating: “Carbon normally occurs as Carbon-12,

but radioactive Carbon-14 may sometimes be formed in the outer atmosphere as Nitrogen-14

undergoes cosmic ray bombardment. The resulting C-14 is unstable and decays back to N-14

with a measured half-life of approximately 5,730 years. Thus, the ratio of stable C-12 to unstable

C-14, which is known in today's open environment, changes over time in an isolated specimen.”

(Morris, 1998).

Before beginning this section, let it be known that the evidence is not 100% refutable that

the Earth is young, and that young-Earth scientists still have their work cut out for them. That
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being stated, according to our textbook, “the three assumptions of Radioisotopic dating are: 1.

the number of parent and daughter isotopes has only changed by nuclear decay; 2. the amount of

daughter isotopes at the beginning is either zero or can be determined; and 3. the rate of decay

has not changed over time.” (Ross et al., 2015). Addressing the third assumption, the Institute for

Creation Research (ICR) declares that “although a constant decay rate might seem reasonable,

ICR’s Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth (RATE) project clearly demonstrated that the

decay rates of the radioisotopes used by dating methodologies likely accelerated at some time in

the past … they did not remain constant.” (Clarey & Cupps, 2021). Most old-Earth research I

found still insists on a fixed C-14 decay rate, however in 2011, physicists at Stanford and Purdue

randomly discovered that “as the researchers pored through published data on specific isotopes,

they found disagreement in the measured decay rates – odd for supposed physical constants …

(so) if radioactive decay isn't constant, then adjustments will have to be made for its use in dating

materials, especially in the case of Carbon-14 dating.” (Knapp, 2011).

Then, are young-Earth scientists so far off track by assuming a variable C-14 decay rate?

If C-14 is found in coal and diamonds, which according to old-Earth scientists are millions of

years old, then why does ICR researcher Brian Thomas claim: “Scientists expect no radiocarbon

in samples they deem older than 100,000 years. Most dating experts call these materials “carbon

dead” regardless of their actual radiocarbon content.”? (Thomas, 2017). This contradicts the idea

that rocks and organic matter can be millions of years old.

The Holy Bible, in all its splendor, does not tell us how old the Earth is. The Psalmist

says: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” (New Living

Translation Bible, 1996/2015, Ps 24:1-2). If one is to believe the model that the Earth is only
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several thousand years old, we have Scriptural clues given in the genealogies of Genesis and

Chronicles that lead us to the approximate length man has been in existence, plus the five

additional days that God spent creating the Heavens and Earth.

Counterarguments and Rebuttal

Old-Earth scientists use background beta radiation as something that needs to be

compensated for, and thus: “This radiation cannot be totally eliminated from the laboratory, so

one could probably get a "radiocarbon" date of fifty thousand years from a pure carbon-free

piece of tin. However, you now know why this fact doesn't at all invalidate radiocarbon dates of

objects younger than twenty thousand years and is certainly no evidence for the notion that coals

and oils might be no older than fifty thousand years.” (Weber, 1982). In their article summary,

Clarey and Cupps (2021) state: “C-14 … decays too quickly to use on rocks that secular

scientists think are millions of years old. With such a fast decay rate, any radiocarbon in a

sample would be undetectable in less than 100,000 years.” While this does not necessarily prove

the Earth age at 6000 years, it does discredit the impression that it is millions or billions of years

old.

Another theory to consider is that “most Christians fail to realize that a global flood could

rip up many of the previous rock layers and redeposit them elsewhere, destroying the previous

fragile contents. This would destroy any evidence of alleged millions of years anyway. So, the

rock layers can theoretically represent the evidence of either millions of years or a global flood,

but not both.” (Ham, 2008).

Conclusion

So much work of scientists has gone into research of radioisotope decay as a

measurement of the age of rocks, fossils, organic material, and the Earth in general. Old-Earth
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scientists are years ahead of young-Earth scientists with regard to that research, but as this essay

hopefully shows is that continuous examination into God’s marvelous earth will eventually

reveal the truth of His creation, whether in this life or in Eternity. However, the most important

aspect of our lives as Christ-followers is not the debate of whether the earth is thousands or

millions/billions of years old. It is beneficial that we continue to pursue God’s knowledge and

wisdom in the field of science, but we must always remember that it is people that are God’s

special and greatest creation, that we are made in His image, and that He cherishes us beyond

anything else. As a mentor once told me, besides Jesus dying on the cross and being raised to life

for our sins, the relationships we have with each other are the most important and precious gifts

that God has graced us with, and we should never lose sight of that.
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References

Clarey, T., & Cupps, V. (2021). Does Radioisotope Dating Prove an Old Earth? Acts & Facts,

50(6). https://www.icr.org/article/does-radioisotope-dating-prove-an-old-earth/

Ham, K. (2008). The New Answers Book 2. Adfo Books.

Knapp, A. (2011, September 19). Radioactive Decay Rates May Not Be Constant After All.

Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/05/03/radioactive-decay-rates-

may-not-be-constant-after-all/?sh=3909b795147f

Morris, J. D. (1998). Doesn’t Carbon Dating Prove the Earth Is Old? Acts & Facts, 27(6).

https://www.icr.org/article/doesnt-carbon-dating-prove-earth-old

New Living Translation Bible. (2015). Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-Living-Translation-NLT-Bible/#booklist

(Original work published 1996)

Ross, M., Faulkner, D., Gollmer, S., & Whitmore, J. (2015). The Heavens and The Earth:

Excursions in Earth and Space Science (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Thomas, B. (2017). Young Radiocarbon in Old Samples. Acts & Facts, 46(11).

https://www.icr.org/article/young-radiocarbon-old-samples

Weber, C. G. (1982). Answers to Creationist Attacks on Carbon-14 Dating. Creation/Evolution

Journal, 3(2). https://ncse.ngo/answers-creationist-attacks-carbon-14-dating