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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: In the beginning |
Bible Note: Hi Keliy, Thank you for a most excellent response. You have been very specific and I appreciate that very much. Before I comment on your statements and questions, let me begin with your last statement first. You wrote: “If we are able to doubt God's Word in Genesis, how then are we able to believe His Word in the rest of the entire Bible?” I in no way doubt God’s Word in Genesis or anywhere else in scripture. However, when I read what appears to be a contradiction in the Bible I realize that I am making a wrong interpretation. The scriptures must be in harmony. Further, I have found that the Bible will interpret itself. I agree with you that I do not see a gap between verse 1 and 2 or verse 2 and 3. However, I see “in the beginning” as being from the start of eternity to the point when God first said, “Let there be light.” From that point, the first day, until Christ returns is this age and a new age will begin when Christ returns. Genesis states clearly that a day consisted of an evening and a morning. This required light for this purpose (verse 5). Since the planet earth and the universe existed prior to the light of verse 3, they also existed prior to the first day. How could it be otherwise? You asked: “If God made Adam as a full grown adult, could He not also make the earth as a full grown earth?” Yes, of course, all things are possible with God. The question is; did He? It would seem necessary to create Adam, Eve, the animals, fish, birds, etc as mature so they could be commanded to multiply. Notice that neither the vegetation, nor the Garden of Eden was created mature. He made only one man and woman and then let nature take it’s course. But, let’s follow this train of thought to its logical conclusion. If God created the earth as mature, then he would have created the sun, moon and stars as mature, even providing the millions of light years of light reaching the earth. If the earth was made mature on the first day, then why would it be necessary for God to separate the waters, and the land and the seas, etc. I just do not find scripture to support this line of thinking. You stated: “. . .death did not enter the world until Adam sinned . . .” It appears to me that life may have existed prior to the first day, since God allowed the earth to sprout vegetation. I don’t know about animals, fish, birds, etc. Would the death that Adam brought into the world when he sinned also apply to animals and/or vegetation? What scripture would support that view? Thanks, Hoth |