Our genetics inhibit a long life-span, two genes specifically: SCH9 and Sir2. SCH9 converts nutrients into energy and Sir2 uses that energy for growth and reproduction instead of allowing the nutrients to be used for energy for repair. This means that our cells die younger due to damage from exhaustion, free-radicals, physical injuries etc. There's a natural order to things, the larger the organism the longer its life-span. Ours is getting longer and longer with every new development in medicine and gene therapy. So by going back in time our life-span would be getting closer and closer to the natural order of things which is about 20 years old for Neanderthals (350,000 years ago), 20 for Neolithic (about 10,000 years ago) and 18 for the Bronze Age (about 4,000 years ago). So the average life-span for Noah's day was about 19, a far cry from 950.

You can if you want. You can also believe god created Adam and Eve in a day.

We can. There is no information to contradict it. I have studied anthropology and just because Neanderthals had short life spans, does not mean that Noah had to. If God had given him good genes, so that he was able to start repopulating humanity, he could have lived as long as those genes permitted. We don't know when he lived. Could have been a long time ago. Could account for the paucity of human remains in the past.

Yes, we can confidently do so on the basis of Biblical authority. Please carefully read Genesis chapters 6-9, focusing on 7:11-8:14. You will note very careful dating of this account. It is not keyed to our present calendar, but it is very definite as to the year, month and day that certain events took place. Genesis 1:14 tells us that the sun, moon and stars were to serve as time markers for man and we use them to this day. Our days, weeks, months and years are essentially unchanged from those of early people four to six thousand years ago. I believe that Farino is answering in good faith when he explains the current popular interpretation of our knowledge of genetics. Bible truth does not depend on the wisdom of the day which will likely go out of style just as it has over the millenia. Evolutionary thinking would have us believe that man is at his pinnacle and that our ancestors were more "primitive" and shorter lived. The Scriptures tell us that just the opposite is true. Noah was hardy, being only a few generations removed from the first man who had been created to live forever. Yes, we have descended from the first man, and that descent gives us the current paltry lifespan of 100 years or less. A life of nearly a thousand years was common in Noah's day. With careful study and a little reasoning, this is not the least surprising.

Yes, we can confidently do so on the basis of Biblical authority. Please carefully read Genesis chapters 6-9, focusing on 7:11-8:14. You will note very careful dating of this account. It is not keyed to our present calendar, but it is very definite as to the year, month and day that certain events took place. Genesis 1:14 tells us that the sun, moon and stars were to serve as time markers for man and we use them to this day. Our days, weeks, months and years are essentially unchanged from those of early people four to six thousand years ago. I believe that Farino is answering in good faith when he explains the current popular interpretation of our knowledge of genetics. Bible truth does not depend on the wisdom of the day which will likely go out of style just as it has over the millenia. Evolutionary thinking would have us believe that man is at his pinnacle and that our ancestors were more "primitive" and shorter lived. The Scriptures tell us that just the opposite is true. Noah was hardy, being only a few generations removed from the first man who had been created to live forever. Yes, we have descended from the first man, and that descent gives us the current paltry lifespan of 100 years or less. A life of nearly a thousand years was common in Noah's day. With careful study and a little reasoning, this is not the least surprising.

Do you mean 'Can we believe this'?, or 'Do we take the Bible literally'? Either way, it's all about what you want to believe. Personally I don't, as I can think of several reasons why an ancient priesthood might try to convince a people that earlier populations were both more holy and longer lived. It's cynical of me to think so I know, but it would get bums on seats, as it's such a simple connection. Some people believe every word of the Bible, some only the New Testament, some none of it. They can't all be right, and must follow the path that seems best to them. What can be said is there is no scientific evidence (let alone proof) that anyone from that period of time would have lived longer than a modern human life expectancy. Exceptions do occur - for example I've seen an Neanderthal skeleton estimated to be about 55 years old at time of death. It wore it's years badly, and it's owner's life was obviously a hard one. I'm afraid 950 depends on whether you believe. If you do, there's nothing to prevent this age being one you can accept. Personally, my belief isn't that strong or unquestioning. I don't know how long Noah lived, and without evidence I can't accept the Bible's account.

I believe that as much as I believe that Noah put 30 million species of animals, insects, and plants on a boat. That stupid story has been told since the beginning of time. It's 2008 folks.......it's time to get real. "God is Imaginary."