Bible Question:
I'm totally be-daffelled! I am married to a German woman living in Germany... I just discussed with her and her family about the topic of God creating the world in seven days. They are saying that the words in the bible are only suggestions, -in short-. That God created the world in seven days--- it only mans comments. That no-one really knows. Huh? What is all this? I have learned that the bible is the word of God. Why would God give a suggestion? Boy does this open a can of worms... So what I am saying is how I defend the bible's teachings that state God created the world in SEVEN Days or six and on the seven he rested. |
Bible Answer: The major reason why people doubt that the days of creation are 24-hour literal days usually has nothing to do with what the Bible says, but comes from outside influences. For example, many believe that since scientists have convinced everyone that the earth is countless years old, then the days of creation cannot be ordinary days. Then they attempt to use Scripture to try to justify that the days of creation are long periods of time and quote passages such as 2 Peter 3:8, '... 'one day is with the Lord as a thousand years' However, if you look at the rest of the verse, it says, '... and a thousand years as one day'. which makes theirs a moot point. They are further proven wrong in their assumptions by looking into the complexities of the Hebrew landuage: The Hebrew word for day in Genesis chapter 1 is the word 'yom'. It is important to understand that almost any word can have two or more meanings, depending on context. And, respected Hebrew dictionaries give a number of meanings for the word 'yom' depending upon context. One of the passages they give for the meaning of 'yom' as an ordinary day is Genesis chapter 1. And the reason becomes quite obvious. Every time the word 'yom' is used with a number, or with the phrase 'evening and morning', anywhere in the Old Testament, it always means an ordinary day. In Genesis chapter 1, for each of the six days of creation, the Hebrew word 'yom' is used with a number and with the phrase, 'evening and morning'. There is no doubt that the Hebrew author (as being led by the Spirit) is placing an emphasis on saying that these are ordinary days. |