Is Genesis the story of the earth's creation?

[Ddavid from NC]

I am a Biblical conservative or at least that is how I define myself. But it seems to me that the earth is more than 6,000 years old. I believe however that Genesis 1:1 is the story of the restoration of the earth from a previous state of existence. I believe that series of creative events recorded on the earth were 6,000 years ago. What say you? Am I way off base or close to the truth in your opinion?

[Botz]

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said,

[OneLight]

Well, the old saying goes for me ... "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!"

The trouble starts when we try to add our understanding to His word where He has not been clear on the matter, and God knows I have been guilty of that in the past. When I do find myself siding with something that is not in scripture, I try my best to sit on it and keep it to myself. If it was important for us to know, He would of told us. This is the case of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. How long was it? Who knows? Does it matter? Not to me and I believe that He would of told us if it was important to us, but He did not.

There are so many mysteries in the bible that we could spend a lot of time discussing them, or we could use His word to be drawn closer to Him and do His work in our lives. Even though it is interesting to discuss them, there has been too many debates that have turned south on this one subject. I hope that this does not turn into one of those threads.

[RebekahDavid]

blessings,

i agree with onelight. could be the Lord created the earth fully matured in age just as adam was created a man instead of a child. just my opinion tho

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

[nebula]

I believe that some of the wordings could be looked upon as a re-creation of the Earth.

One thing to note - the Lord separated the land and the water. But it never states God speaking, "Let there be land," nor "Let there be water."

These things are just there.

I firmly believe the Lord's objective with Genesis 1 was not to teach us the scienitific history of the Earth's Creation.

Try this - instead of studying Gen. 1 to learn about the Earth -

Try reading Gen. 1 to learn about the Lord's plan for redemption.

[RebekahDavid]

I believe that some of the wordings could be looked upon as a re-creation of the Earth.

One thing to note - the Lord separated the land and the water. But it never states God speaking, "Let there be land," nor "Let there be water."

These things are just there.

I firmly believe the Lord's objective with Genesis 1 was not to teach us the scienitific history of the Earth's Creation.

Try this - instead of studying Gen. 1 to learn about the Earth -

Try reading Gen. 1 to learn about the Lord's plan for redemption.

blessings,

good post Neb good way to not try and second guess what the Lord does not say or misrepresent what He does.

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

[givennewname]

I believe that some of the wordings could be looked upon as a re-creation of the Earth.

One thing to note - the Lord separated the land and the water. But it never states God speaking, "Let there be land," nor "Let there be water."

These things are just there.

I firmly believe the Lord's objective with Genesis 1 was not to teach us the scienitific history of the Earth's Creation.

Try this - instead of studying Gen. 1 to learn about the Earth -

Try reading Gen. 1 to learn about the Lord's plan for redemption.

blessings,

good post Neb good way to not try and second guess what the Lord does not say or misrepresent what He does.

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

I agree.. The Account of Genesis started by describing the Spirit of God moving over a viod and formless earth an later seperated the land and the waters.. I believe that this was the Promised land. Not Land in general.

[Botz]

Well looks as if this topic has got the thumbs down already.

Personally I find Genesis the most interesting and intriguing book in the Old Covenant, and in the account of Creation there is room to see both G-ds plan of redemption, and understand something of His creative power...whether you feel it is necessary to use science to define it is up to you.... but the creative genius and purposes of G-d can be viewed on so many levels.

Biblical speculation is part of the God-like make up of a human being...we like to know. It is also through G-d-centred speculation/thinking/meditating that we get a wider view, and that the Holy Spirit sparks things off in us...so in this instance I think the whole issue can be useful and faith-building....whether it has been done many times before is irrelevant, there are always new voices to be heard, and fresh input that is often an inspiration and encouragement....and I would argue that it is through approaching G-d with awe at the way He has ordered things, and searching deeply into these matters, that draws you to Him...therefore when OneLight says...

There are so many mysteries in the bible that we could spend a lot of time discussing them, or we could use His word to be drawn closer to Him and do His work in our lives. Even though it is interesting to discuss them, there has been too many debates that have turned south on this one subject. I hope that this does not turn into one of those threads.

In this instance I completely disagree.

I liked what Nebula pointed out....

One thing to note - the Lord separated the land and the water. But it never states God speaking, "Let there be land," nor "Let there be water."

makes you think!

[Hunterpoet]

I believe that some of the wordings could be looked upon as a re-creation of the Earth.

One thing to note - the Lord separated the land and the water. But it never states God speaking, "Let there be land," nor "Let there be water."

These things are just there.

I firmly believe the Lord's objective with Genesis 1 was not to teach us the scienitific history of the Earth's Creation.

Try this - instead of studying Gen. 1 to learn about the Earth -

Try reading Gen. 1 to learn about the Lord's plan for redemption.

well spoken Neb and I agree.

[Guest HIS girl]

How would one interpret this then? Literal or not?

Genesis 2 v 4:

This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,