“I assert he _wouldn’t_.
Initiating a universe “mid flight” as it were means you have to explain why He didn’t do exactly that 20 minutes ago.”
Why? Why do I need to assert anything that God can or cannot do?
“Why would He create something of utterly astounding complexity just to make it all _look_ like it has been around much longer when it _wasn’t_?”
Why did Tolkien create a back history for Middle Earth? It wasn’t needed. Or was it?
God doesn’t lie. Neither has God issued any formal pronouncements about the age of the Universe. There is more than one way to interpret Genesis, and more than one way to interpret the physical things we see. God is not lying if YOU read in to something what He has never said...
If you review what I wrote on this thread, you’ll see I agree with you.
Others here insist on a “young universe” imperative, which starkly conflicts with sensible interpretations of what we see around us.
I have no problem interpreting Genesis as fitting an “old universe” theory, which in turn fits nicely with what we see.
Sure, there may be varying ways to interpret the physical things we see ... but there are some interpretations which are plainly preposterous because they add up to, say, light from stars being created mid-flight to look like they came from farther than where/how they were created. The heavens speak of His creation - do they speak truth of great age and distance? or lies of things being other than what they seem?