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NASB | Genesis 1:14 ¶ Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:14 ¶ Then God said, "Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God's provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years; [Gen 8:22] |
Bible Question: It is said in Genesis 1, God created light and plants before he created the sun, the moon and the stars. It conflicts with what the science research said, for example, the earth is not the center of the universe, and it is younger than many stars. How to explain it? |
Bible Answer: See "The Genesis Question" by Dr. Hugh Ross. Therein, he explains that current scientific understanding is consistent with the Genesis account of the creation of Earth. His argument is based on the premises that the initial conditions of the earth and perspective of the observer must be understood in a way that he supports well in his treatment. To summarize his thesis: 1. the perspective of the Genesis account is that of an observer on Earth, not someone viewing the creation of the entire cosmos from some astronomical location. 2. the initial conditions of the Genesis account are not the first stages of cosmic or even planetary formation, but rather when the opacity of the atmosphere prevents anyone from seeing the stars, and not that light or the stars were created then. I don't necessarily agree with everything Dr. Ross says later in the book, but I find his treatment of Genesis 1 to be quite reasonable. Furthermore, he espouses that ultimately, there will be no conflict with our scientific understanding of creation and what the Bible teaches and we must work to remove the supposed conflict between science and faith, surely an artificial stumbling block, from the paths of those who might otherwise come to faith in Christ. Parable |