Peer review isn't perfect, but it is the best we have.
Positing the imperfection of applied science is easily proved & is a reasonable position based on facts.
However, if the best we have is a system of knowing that has such a fundamental & inherent flaw (as the examples in my OP point out) then certainly that is an authority source that is fundamentally and inherently flawed. All appeals to science, especially theoretical science as a guide is also fundamentally and inherently flawed.
But God may have created the universe with an apparent age.
A hundred years ago this might have been laughed off. However, Einstein proved that space, time, and matter are all related to each other and can be stretched and manipulated like a fabric. Materialists have no answer for the First Cause, because that First Cause would have to act upon and outside of the material universe. Materialists can only push back the problem so far.
17 times God claims to have manipulated or stretched out the heavens. This had little meaning until after Einstein:
And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature [was] as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. - Ezekiel 1:22
[It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
- Isaiah 40:22
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isaiah 44:24
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:12
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.
Isaiah 48:13
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?
Isaiah 51:13
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
Jeremiah 10:12
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Jeremiah 51:15
Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
Job 9:8
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.
Job 26:7
Hast thou with him spread out the sky, [which is] strong, [and] as a molten looking glass?
Job 37:18
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet.
Psalms 18:9
Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Psalms 104:2
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Psalms 144:5
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness [was] under his feet.
2 Samuel 22:10
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zechariah 12:1
It seems interesting to me that many ancient writers used language consistent with the modern understanding of space / time. Surely an intellect and power source capable of creating a single cell or entering into our space / time dimensionality to start the cause and effect process could stretch out the heavens manipulating the space / time fabric to suit his purposes in the process.
