Estimating the age of the planet based on a literal interpretation of the Bible involves tracing genealogies and lifespans from Adam, considered the first man, through subsequent generations as described in the Old Testament. This approach seeks to establish a chronological timeline reaching back to the creation event. Different interpretations and textual variations in different Bible versions, such as the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, can lead to varying estimations.
The significance of these calculations lies in their impact on theological perspectives regarding the relationship between faith and science. Historically, such calculations were central to developing creationist viewpoints and served as arguments against evolutionary theories and the scientific consensus on Earth’s age. The resulting dates, frequently placing creation within the last ten thousand years, hold considerable importance to those who adhere to a young-Earth creationist perspective.