Understanding Genesis Chapter 1
One issue that has increasingly divided Christians is the age of the earth. Some believe Genesis chapter one describes seven consecutive 24 hour periods that began 6,000 years ago, others believe they are 24 hours periods, just not consecutive (long periods between each day), while others believe the "days" in Genesis are describing long periods of time. All three interpretations are literal rather than poetic, symbolic or metaphorical, the big contention being the Hebrew word "yom" which is translated, day. Some claim it can never be translated to mean anything other than a 24 hour period, others claim it is translated to mean long periods (Genesis 2:4) and shorter periods of time (Genesis 1:16) right in the content of the creation account. Some claim the term evening and morning right before the word "day" gives us clear indication that it should be translated as a 24 hour period, while others use this term to claim that they are not consecutive days but that God did all the creating and then ended the cycle with a 24 hour period.
Because the focus of this ministry is evangelism and because the age of the earth issue is so sensitive, this ministry does not take a position on the subject. What is most disappointing to me, is that I personally have been on both sides of this issue and have found that many people on both sides tend to misrepresent the other's argument. Therefore, despite your current position on whether the earth is billions of years old or 6,000 years old, it is best to learn each argument from proponents of each view, rather than get all your information from just one source. Most importantly, despite what some may say, this is not a salvation issue. Salvation is based on faith in Christ, his death, burial and resurrection, not our interpretation of the book of Genesis. Furthermore, God is eternal and does not live in time and space, therefore whether you believe the universe is 6,000 years old or billions of years old, its all a micro-second to God.
Whatever view you take on the "days" in Genesis, in order to properly understand Genesis chapter one, you must apply two rules which are applicable and common throughout the Bible. First you must understand some original Hebrew words and second you must take the proper perspective of the events as they unfold.
Rule # 1 - Proper Hebrew Word
There are two Hebrew words used through the narrative, the first is “bara” translated; created. Strong’s definition: created from nothing. Here we see only three events where God creates from nothing.
The second word that is used is “asah" which is translated; made. Strong’s definition: accomplish, bring forth, gather, finish, bring (come) to pass. We see this word used differently than the first.
Another creation term that is used is this term "let the earth bring forth". It's found in several places, here is verse 11-12, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree ... And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, ...
It does not say that God created the trees and grass but rather that the earth brought it forth. Some have claimed that this would indicate the the trees were not made mature and full grown, but rather they had time to grow, because it says that the earth brought it forth. Verse 22 is similar when it states, And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” It appears that the waters and the skies were filled by natural breeding, rather than God creating the oceans and skies filled with fish and birds, though it's clear that God created the first fish and birds.
Rule #2 - The Proper Perspective
The second rule for understanding Genesis chapter 1 is that after Genesis 1:1 the perspective is from Earth. It states, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Perspective is important in scripture. In the book of Joshua the Bible states that God stopped the sun. Many interpreted this to mean that the sun was revolving around the earth instead of the earth revolving around the sun. But the proper interpretation is that the sun did stop from Joshua's point of reference. In the same way Genesis chapter 1 can only be properly understood from an earthly perspective or from the perspective of the Holy Spirit.
Genesis is Scientifically Sound
With this understanding, we see all twelve creation accounts appear in perfect sequence as understood by scientific findings today. The odds of Moses getting all twelve in the right order 3,500 years ago are astonishing.
We know scientifically that, for example there once was just one super continent called Pangaea. We know that the early earth had a thick atmosphere and that the plants had to come before any creatures to oxygenate the earth. We know that the first life forms were marine life and that the birds were created before the mammals. Once again, the odds of getting this in the right order so long ago is astonishing.
Below are several articles supporting both a young earth position and an old earth position, so the reader can better understand both sides of the debate.
Articles
Does the Phrase "Evening and Morning" Help Define "Day"? John D. Morris, Ph.D.
The Nature and Duration of Creation Day Six Kenneth R. Samples
The Literal Interpretation of the Genesis One Creation Account Rich Deem
Genesis Clearly Teaches that the Days Were Not 24 Hours Rich Deem
The Literal Week of Creation Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
Does Genesis Address the Time of Creation, or Just the Fact of Creation? John D. Morris, Ph.D.
Because the focus of this ministry is evangelism and because the age of the earth issue is so sensitive, this ministry does not take a position on the subject. What is most disappointing to me, is that I personally have been on both sides of this issue and have found that many people on both sides tend to misrepresent the other's argument. Therefore, despite your current position on whether the earth is billions of years old or 6,000 years old, it is best to learn each argument from proponents of each view, rather than get all your information from just one source. Most importantly, despite what some may say, this is not a salvation issue. Salvation is based on faith in Christ, his death, burial and resurrection, not our interpretation of the book of Genesis. Furthermore, God is eternal and does not live in time and space, therefore whether you believe the universe is 6,000 years old or billions of years old, its all a micro-second to God.
Whatever view you take on the "days" in Genesis, in order to properly understand Genesis chapter one, you must apply two rules which are applicable and common throughout the Bible. First you must understand some original Hebrew words and second you must take the proper perspective of the events as they unfold.
Rule # 1 - Proper Hebrew Word
There are two Hebrew words used through the narrative, the first is “bara” translated; created. Strong’s definition: created from nothing. Here we see only three events where God creates from nothing.
- 1:1 Heavens and earth – or universe (no word in the Hebrew for universe) is created.
- 1:21 Sea creatures and everything that moves is created.
- 1:27 Man is created.
The second word that is used is “asah" which is translated; made. Strong’s definition: accomplish, bring forth, gather, finish, bring (come) to pass. We see this word used differently than the first.
- 1:3 Light becomes visible.
- 1:7 Clouds and water cycle is made.
- 1:16 Sun and moon become visible.
Another creation term that is used is this term "let the earth bring forth". It's found in several places, here is verse 11-12, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree ... And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, ...
It does not say that God created the trees and grass but rather that the earth brought it forth. Some have claimed that this would indicate the the trees were not made mature and full grown, but rather they had time to grow, because it says that the earth brought it forth. Verse 22 is similar when it states, And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” It appears that the waters and the skies were filled by natural breeding, rather than God creating the oceans and skies filled with fish and birds, though it's clear that God created the first fish and birds.
Rule #2 - The Proper Perspective
The second rule for understanding Genesis chapter 1 is that after Genesis 1:1 the perspective is from Earth. It states, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Perspective is important in scripture. In the book of Joshua the Bible states that God stopped the sun. Many interpreted this to mean that the sun was revolving around the earth instead of the earth revolving around the sun. But the proper interpretation is that the sun did stop from Joshua's point of reference. In the same way Genesis chapter 1 can only be properly understood from an earthly perspective or from the perspective of the Holy Spirit.
Genesis is Scientifically Sound
With this understanding, we see all twelve creation accounts appear in perfect sequence as understood by scientific findings today. The odds of Moses getting all twelve in the right order 3,500 years ago are astonishing.
- 1:1 All matter and energy created.
- 1:2 Earth is without form.
- 1:3 Sun is made.
- 1:7 Water cycle, clouds are formed.
- 1:9 Continents rise.
- 1:10 Super continent.
- 1:12 Plants – oxygenate earth.
- 1:14 Atmosphere becomes transparent.
- 1:15 Sun and moon become visible.
- 1:17 Stars become visible.
- 1:20 Sea creatures are created.
- 1:21 Reptiles and birds created.
- 1:24 Mammals created.
- 1:27 Man is created.
We know scientifically that, for example there once was just one super continent called Pangaea. We know that the early earth had a thick atmosphere and that the plants had to come before any creatures to oxygenate the earth. We know that the first life forms were marine life and that the birds were created before the mammals. Once again, the odds of getting this in the right order so long ago is astonishing.
Below are several articles supporting both a young earth position and an old earth position, so the reader can better understand both sides of the debate.
Articles
Does the Phrase "Evening and Morning" Help Define "Day"? John D. Morris, Ph.D.
The Nature and Duration of Creation Day Six Kenneth R. Samples
The Literal Interpretation of the Genesis One Creation Account Rich Deem
Genesis Clearly Teaches that the Days Were Not 24 Hours Rich Deem
The Literal Week of Creation Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
Does Genesis Address the Time of Creation, or Just the Fact of Creation? John D. Morris, Ph.D.