Genesis 1: Theories of Creation The Development of Genesis Genesis was written or compiled by Moses (Luke 24:27) Moses received the information in Genesis by one or more of three methods, as guided by the Holy Spirit: He received it by direct revelation from God He received it by oral traditions He used actual written records

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Principles of Interpretation (Hermeneutics) Two important questions to ask when interpreting a portion of Scripture: What is the primary meaning of the word or phrase? Example: “Rich” What is the context of the word or phrase?

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Day 1 – Genesis 1:1-5

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now 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. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Day 1 – Genesis 1:1-5 Genesis 1:1 – “The Beginning” In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. A summary statement of what is to follow “In the Beginning” “God” = Elohim “Heavens” = shamayim “Earth” = eretz

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Genesis 1:2 – “The Earth’s Condition” Now 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. Background information for the narrative to follow “Now” = vav (disjunctive clause) “Formless and void” = tohu vabohu “Spirit” = ruach

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Genesis 1:3 – “The Creation of Light” Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. “God said” – First of ten uses in this account “Light” = ur

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Genesis 1:4 – “The Separation” God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. “Saw” – Reflected on or concluded “Good” = tov

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Genesis 1:5 – “The Conclusion” God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. “Day” = yom A solar day The daylight portion of a solar day An indefinite time period

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Alternate Theories of Creation The Gap Theory In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth became formless and void… The Hebrew word hayah is translated as “became” instead of “was” Original creation was billions of years ago Lucifer’s Rebellion Lucifer’s Flood The earth was “recreated” in v 3 Noah’s flood was tranquil or local

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation The Gap Theory Exposed The Hebrew word hayah is normally translated as “was” Billions of years between vv 1 & 2 is grammatically impossible Lucifer’s Rebellion and Flood not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible Noah’s flood was worldwide (Genesis 7:19) No mention of Gap Theory in early Jewish or Christian writings Romans 5:12

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation The Day-Age Theory …And there was evening and there was morning, hundreds of millions of years. The Hebrew word yom = a long time period Geologic record formed during the six “ages” Noah’s flood was tranquil or local

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation The Day-Age Theory Exposed The Hebrew word yom cannot mean a definite long time period A numeral is used with yom The phrase “evening and morning” is used A Hebrew word such as olam is not used Exodus 20:11

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation The Day-Age Theory Exposed The Hebrew word yom cannot mean a definite long time period A numeral is used with yom The phrase “evening and morning” is used A Hebrew word such as olam is not used Exodus 20:11 Noah’s flood was worldwide (Genesis 7:19) Numerous scientific problems

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Conclusion The length of a “day” with a numerical modifier and with an “evening and morning” = one solar day.

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Martin Luther (Early 16th Century) When Moses writes that God created heaven and earth and whatever is in them in six days, then let this period continue to have been six days, and do not venture to devise any comment according to which six days were one day.

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Martin Luther (Continued) But if you cannot understand how this could have been done in six days, then grant the Holy Spirit the honor of being more learned than you are.

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation Challenge: If the six days of creation are not six literal days, then please explain to me how God could have made it any more clear in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1: Theories of Creation