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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

The Bible gives an account of the creation of the heavens and the earth in Genesis 2:4. Many scientists once believed that the universe had always existed, but now most acknowledge that it had a beginning, as stated in Genesis 1:1. Genesis 1:2, 9 describes the ancient earth as “formless and desolate,” covered in water, which is supported by modern scientific findings that suggest Earth was a water world with little to no land in sight. The atmosphere originally only allowed diffused light to penetrate the Earth as stated in Genesis 1:3-5. Life on Earth appeared in the order of fish, birds, land animals, and finally humans, as stated in Genesis 1:20-27, which aligns with scientific discoveries.

The Bible does not specify the age of the universe or the Earth. The Bible uses the word “day” to refer to periods of time, not necessarily 24-hour periods. The Bible does not say that living things cannot undergo changes in their makeup over time, and animals were created according to their kinds, which could include many species or varieties. This allows for the possibility that changes in the variety and types of species within a “kind” could occur over time.

The Bible provides an account of the creation of the universe and life. According to Genesis, on the first day, light began to penetrate the atmosphere, although it was not yet distinguishable. On the second day, a gap was created between the water and the dense mantle of vapor covering the earth. On the third day, dry land appeared as surface water subsided. On the fourth day, the sun and moon became visible from the earth’s surface. On the fifth day, underwater and flying creatures were created to procreate within their kinds. On the sixth day, land animals, including the first human couple, were created.

Consider the account of creation in Genesis 1:1-2:4 and compare it to the creation myths of ancient civilizations. For instance, Babylonians believed that the universe and humans were made from the corpse of a goddess and the blood of a god, while ancient Egyptians believed that humans were created from the tears of the god Ra. In China, some believed that humans descended from the fleas on the body of a giant who had turned into natural elements after his death. Do you think the Genesis account is similar to those myths, or does it have scientific credibility?

Science and the Genesis Account

There is a common belief that the Bible’s account of creation conflicts with science. However, this is not a contradiction between science and the Bible but rather between science and certain interpretations of the Bible by some Christian Fundamentalists. Some groups hold that the Bible teaches that all of creation was made in just six 24-hour days around 10,000 years ago, but this assertion is not supported by scientific evidence.

The idea that science and the Bible are in conflict over the account of creation is a misconception perpetuated by some Christian Fundamentalists. They assert that the Bible teaches that all physical creation happened in six 24-hour days around 10,000 years ago. However, a closer examination of the Bible reveals no contradiction with scientific discoveries made over the past century. Therefore, Christian Publishing House and this author reject this view held by some creationists. The Bible does not support the notion that the universe and the earth were created in six 24-hour days a few thousand years ago, as some believe based on a misinterpretation of the text in Genesis.

When Was “the Beginning”?

The book of Genesis starts by stating, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Some Bible experts believe this refers to an event that happened before the following six days of creation. This suggests that the universe and our planet existed for an unknown amount of time before the creation period began. This has significant implications because it indicates that the Bible does not limit the age of the universe to just a few thousand years.

According to geologists, the earth is estimated to be about 4 billion years old, and astronomers suggest that the universe could be as old as 15 billion years. But does this information conflict with what is written in Genesis 1:1? Not really. The Bible does not give a specific age for the universe or the earth. Therefore, there is no conflict between science and the Bible on this matter.

How Long Were the Creative Days?

Some people believe that the creative days in Genesis were 24 hours long because Moses later used the seventh day as a model for the weekly Sabbath. However, does the Bible text support this interpretation? The wording of Genesis suggests that the word “day” is used in a broader sense to represent a period of time rather than a literal 24-hour day.

In Genesis, the word “day” does not necessarily refer to a literal 24-hour period, but can mean different lengths of time. For example, when summarizing God’s work, all six creative days are referred to as one day. On the first day, only a portion of a 24-hour period is defined by the term “day.” Therefore, it is not reasonable to conclude that each creative day was 24 hours long. The Bible does not specify how long the creative days were, but it is clear that they were not necessarily 24 hours each.

Six Creative Periods [ See Images Above]

Moses wrote the story of creation in Hebrew and from the perspective of a person standing on earth. Additionally, the Bible indicates that the universe existed before the start of the creative days. These factors help to alleviate much of the conflict between the creation account and scientific discoveries.

An examination of the Genesis account shows that events from one “day” continued into one or more of the following “days.” For example, before the first creative “day,” light from the already existing sun was somehow prevented from reaching the earth’s surface, possibly by thick clouds. (Job 38:9) During the first “day,” this barrier began to clear, allowing diffused light to penetrate the atmosphere. In describing the first “day,” the Hebrew word used for light is ‘ohr, which means light in a general sense. However, concerning the fourth “day,” the word used is ma·’ohr, which refers to the source of light.

During the second “day,” the atmosphere continued to clear, creating a gap between the clouds above and the ocean below. Then, on the fourth “day,” the atmosphere gradually cleared even more, revealing the sun and the moon in the sky. From the perspective of someone on Earth, these heavenly bodies began to appear. It is important to note that these events were not sudden but happened over time.

The Genesis account tells us that on the fifth “day,” flying creatures such as insects and membrane-winged creatures started to appear as the atmosphere continued to clear. The narrative in the Bible suggests that some major events during each creative period may have taken place gradually rather than instantly, possibly even lasting into the following creative days. For instance, during the sixth creative day, God commanded that humans “become many and fill the earth,” but this did not happen until the following “day.” (Genesis 1:28, 31; 2:2)

According to Their Kinds

On the surface, the progressive appearance of plants and animals in the Genesis account might suggest that God used evolution to produce the diverse life on earth. However, the record makes clear that God created all the basic “kinds” of plant and animal life. It’s unclear whether these original “kinds” were programmed with the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions or what exactly defines the boundary of a “kind.” Nevertheless, the Bible states that living creatures “swarmed forth according to their kinds,” suggesting there is a limit to the amount of variation that can occur within a “kind.” Both the fossil record and modern research support the idea that the fundamental categories of plants and animals have changed little over vast periods of time.

The idea that the Bible teaches the universe, earth, and all living things were created in a short period of time relatively recently is not supported by the book of Genesis. This assertion by religious fundamentalists is not accurate. Instead, some aspects of the Genesis account of the universe’s creation and life’s appearance on earth align with recent scientific discoveries.

Many scientists reject the Bible’s claim that God created all things due to their philosophical beliefs. However, the ancient Book of Genesis, written by Moses, accurately describes the universe having a beginning and life appearing in stages over time. How could Moses have known this over 3,500 years ago? One logical explanation is that the Creator of the universe, with the power and wisdom to do so, could have given Moses this knowledge. This gives credibility to the Bible’s assertion that it is “inspired by God.”

Believing in the Bible’s account of creation can significantly impact one’s worldview and understanding of the world. Here are some compelling reasons why it matters:

Understanding our place in the world: Believing in the Bible’s account of creation can give us a greater understanding of our place in the world and our purpose for existence. According to the Bible, humans were created in God’s image and given a special responsibility to care for the earth and its creatures.
Respecting the natural world: The Bible’s account of creation emphasizes that God created the natural world and declared it good. Believing in this can encourage a greater respect for the environment and a desire to be good stewards of the earth.
Understanding our relationship with God: The Bible’s account of creation sets the foundation for understanding our relationship with God. It teaches that we are accountable to God for our actions and that our purpose in life is to live in a way that honors him.
Respecting the value of human life: The Bible teaches that humans are created in God’s image and have inherent value and dignity. Believing in this can lead to a greater respect for the sanctity of human life and a desire to protect and care for all people.
Finding hope in difficult times: The Bible’s account of creation reminds us that God is in control of the world and that he has a plan for our lives. Believing in this can give us hope and comfort in difficult times and help us to trust that God is working all things together for our good.

Why Does It Matter to Believe in the Creator?

Believing in a Creator can have a significant impact on your life. If you are convinced of the existence of an almighty God, you may want to explore the idea that he inspires the Bible. By trusting what the Bible teaches, you can experience the following benefits:

Add Meaning to Your Life

According to the Bible, God provides everything good that we enjoy in the natural world. Recognizing this can help you appreciate the gifts of life even more and discover how much the Creator cares for you.

Find Reliable Guidance for Daily Living

As our Creator, God knows what we need to be happy. The Bible contains valuable lessons to help us live a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Get Answers to Your Questions

Discovering the existence of the Creator can help you find answers to fundamental questions about life’s purpose, suffering, and what happens when we die. The Bible can provide satisfying answers to these questions.

Look at the Future with Hope

The Bible promises that God will eliminate evil, suffering, and even death in the future. Trusting in God’s promises can give you hope for a better future, which can help you face the challenges of daily life with courage.