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NASB | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. [Heb 11:3] |
Subject: How old is the earth scripturally? |
Bible Note: The previous answer reflects a position taken by a number of Christians, but there are other perfectly respectable views on this issue as well. It is perfectly possible to interpret Genesis 1 and 2 in a way that allows for the earth to be billions of years old without violating the integrity of Scripture. In fact, it is very likely that the majority of Christians interpret Genesis 1 in a way that allows for an old earth. The fact is, the Bible does not tell us how old the earth is, but instead presents creation in a way that can be interpreted to indicate a young earth or an old earth depending on the assumptions that you bring to the text. I believe that God deliberately chose to leave the age of the earth unrevealed in the text so that the it would not have to be a stumbling block to the many different cultures that the Bible ahs to communicate to. Dr Hugh Ross, Reasons to Believe Ministries, gives an excellent defense of his interpretation of Genesis which leads to an old earth perspective. I would suggest that interested parties consider the writings of Dr Hugh Ross and other old earth supporters carefully before assuming that the Bible teaches that the earth is "young". In any case, the most important thing to take away from Genesis 1 is that God created the heavens and the earth from nothing as a sovereign act of His will - thus displaying His power and glory and showing us that we are beholden to Him and dependent on Him for all things. Genesis 2 then reveals to us how we have fallen into a sinful state and shows us that without a new and special work by God salvation is impossible. The rest of the Bible tells us how God has provided salvation through Jesus Christ and shows us how to accept Jesus through faith. |