The following beliefs are common to most Ancient Earth Naturalists (AEN):

1. The universe had a starting time; its age is finite.

2. The very early universe was greatly different from the present universe. There was a very early period of extremely rapid change followed by a long period of relative stability which continues to this day.

3. The present stability of the universe is relative. Change is occurring and is expected to continue until, eventually, the universe will no longer support organic life.

Young Earth Creationists agree with Ancient Earth Naturalists on belief #1, the belief that the age of the universe is finite rather than infinite (Genesis 1:1)   In AEN, belief #2 is accepted in the form of the cosmic inflation hypothesis of the Big Bang theory. In YEC, belief #2 is also accepted, NOT in the form of the cosmic inflation hypothesis, but as the six days of creation (Genesis1:1-31). Either way, there is extremely rapid change initially, followed by relative stability (uniformitarianism for the AEN folks; God's "rest" on the seventh day for YEC folks - Genesis 2:1,2). Neither the ANC nor the YEC folks expect the universe to last eternally in its present form. There is ongoing debate among AEN folks about whether the universe will end in fire or ice. The YEC folks say "fire" (see II Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare).

That's all from me today. Tomorrow I hope to post some more comparisons between AEN and YEC. I look forward to your comments.

Kent