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Briefly, here's how I read the passages of Genesis 1:1~5 based on my biblical understanding ....
Genesis 1:1 is just a preface -The Story of the"Beginning" of the Physical World. Genesis 1:2 narrates us the condition of the deep (dark -void) before the world was. Genesis 1:3 documents us the bringing forth of the Lightbefore anything is made that was made; before the world was. Genesis 1:4 the division / separation of Light fromdarkness - the first work of old. Genesis 1:5 The evening & the morning, the first day.
I believe, the invisible Almighty God Father, first Created (ex-nihilo) the materials or matters needed to enable his Son to physically form / fashion our heavens and earth in the beginning..... with his own hands..... and for our inhabitation, thereof. In the context of thetext, I see the narrative as saying:
In the beginning God Created the heaven (Air) and the Earth (Ground). And theEarth (Ground) was without form, (Dust) and void; (Empty) and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
The 3 elements necessary for all physical form are shown... Air, Dust, and Water. Everything which is physical is composed of these 3 elements. The textis correct in showing that the water was not directly created, or spoken intobeing, because it consists of elements of the Air or Atmosphere. Water is Hydrogen and Oxygen and came from the Atmosphere and is not shown as a separatecreation.
This is correct in today's scientific knowledge, but IF the Bible were writtenby Ancient men, Moses would not have known this. He would have written that inthe beginning God created the Air, Dust, and Water, but since God Himself is the Author, He correctly shows that the Atmosphere and Ground were created, and the Water was not a separate creation but instead, came from the Atmosphere.
With all of their new found knowledge of DNA and dust and moisture, the scientists decided to challenge God to a 'Creation Contest." God went first. He spoke ... and everything needed to create a new universe suddenly appeared. Then it was the scientists turn. As one reached down to scoop up a handful of dirt, a booming voice out of the heavens commanded, "No, make your own dirt!"
Your assumption that the dust and moisture needed for creation simply 'came from the pre-existent atmosphere' could be correct, but, even the atmosphere had to come from somewhere. IMO, the presumption that God, like man, operates on a 'sequential time' basis, is probably not accurate ... since God also created sequential time, as we know it, on the fourth day of creation. Therefore, the simultaneous, non-sequential creation of earth and the elements comprising it, is quite likely.
Ultimately, the 'Fact' of God's creation is far more relevant than the 'mechanics.'
I believe, the invisible Almighty God Father, first Created (ex-nihilo) the materials or matters needed to enable his Son to physically form / fashion our heavens and earth in the beginning..... with his own hands..... and for our inhabitation, thereof. In the context of thetext, I see the narrative as saying:
In the beginning God Created the heaven (Air) and the Earth (Ground). And theEarth (Ground) was without form, (Dust) and void; (Empty) and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
The 3 elements necessary for all physical form are shown... Air, Dust, and Water. Everything which is physical is composed of these 3 elements. The textis correct in showing that the water was not directly created, or spoken intobeing, because it consists of elements of the Air or Atmosphere. Water is Hydrogen and Oxygen and came from the Atmosphere and is not shown as a separatecreation.
This is correct in today's scientific knowledge, but IF the Bible were writtenby Ancient men, Moses would not have known this. He would have written that inthe beginning God created the Air, Dust, and Water, but since God Himself is the Author, He correctly shows that the Atmosphere and Ground were created, and the Water was not a separate creation but instead, came from the Atmosphere.
2Pillars, air, dust, and water are not elements. They are compound substances. Water for instance is formed by combining 2 atoms of Hydrogen (which IS an element) with one atom of Oxygen (which IS an element).
The earth's atmosphere (air) is a compound substance which is composed of a number of different gases in different proportions. Each of those gases are elements which make up the 'air' that we breathe.
Calling air, dust and water elements makes Christians look ignorant.
The Bible says that it was Jesus Christ (the Second Person of the Trinity) who created everything (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17). That would include all the individual elements.
In the beginning God created the heavens (plural) and the earth. That includes all the stellar Universe which of course includes the earth and its atmosphere. The Father who is the First Person of the Trinity gave the command to create, and the Second Person of the Trinity who was the agent of creation did the actual act of creation. The third Person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) was involved in the restoration of the earth.
Genesis 1:1 speaks of original creation (perhaps, and from appearances, billions of years ago). Genesis 1:2a speaks of the earth being in a state of waste and emptiness. God didn't create the earth in a state of waste and emptiness, but rather it became that way as a result of Satan's rebellion. Genesis 1:2b and following speaks of the earth being restored over a literal six day period in preparation for man.
Last edited by Michael Way; 05-27-2013 at 10:13 AM..
What matters ultimately in apologetics is demonstrating that design is the only logical reasonable faith conclusion exposing the only other alternative, evolution, as an unreasonable faith-based ideology.
In demonstrating the creation, one then demonstrates the evidence of thge fall of Man thus setting up for God's redemption of Man through the Messiah Jesus.
How does a just Good justify sinful Man? This is an excellent question to ask the skeptics. It gets people thinking.
Only the cross of Christ through the shedding of divine blood is the forgiveness of sins. The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is salvation through Christ. We can not pay for our transgressions through good works. We can only accept what God has done for us in and through Christ receiving His freely given pardon to anyone that repents through the cross in faith.
I see, Genesis 1 as an Outline of ALL of the events leading to the Creation of the Perfect Heaven. Most of the rest of the Bible refers to the present 6th Day, but ALL of the Bible refers to the events ofGod's 6 Creative Days.
That's why we are taken back to the 3rd Day at Gen 2:4.The narrative is adding details to the events listed in Gen 1. Both accounts agree totally and in detail.
What is amazing is that God wrote our History more than 3,000 years ago, and the events at the end of the 6th Day are still Future. IOW, God told the complete story of the Creation in Genesis 1 and beginning at Gen 2:4, we begin to learn the details of the events of Genesis 1
In the day Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27).... both A&E have already committed their "original" sin. This creation event took place long after Cain had already killed Abel. It was during Seth' generation when they were forgiven of their sins.... by being created in the image and likeness of God, spiritually....
Both Adam and Eve were the first couple to be redeemed by the Lord.
Why not just read it as it is? Would a Jewish person 3000 years ago have tried to "figure out the hidden meaning" behind it?
I believe so, it is called PARDES...Or PRDS, 4 levels of meaning contained within a single Scripture...
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