Detailed observations of Genesis 1:1-4

(Originally written June 16, 2006 in Book 3)

I seem to be studying enormous amounts of secular works and neglecting the Bible. I got into philosophy to offer a Christian perspective. How can I offer that if i don't stay current in the Word? Therefore, I resolve to write a series of 66 books, called "Understanding (Bible Book)". In these I want to explore authorship, historicity, philosophical problems and faith issues. I think the best way is to begin with Genesis and work through Revelation.

Genesis

The NIV Discovery Study Bible describes the first eleven chapters of Genesis as falling under the myth category. They are stories that "illuminate the human condition" (1). They are differentiated from other myths of the other cultures because they are true.

The NIV Study Bible states that the myths of God show a personal God who is responsible for creating the material world.

Humans are created in God's own image. This fact differentiates man from the rest of the created order.

The myths also show the origin of pain, suffering and evil that plague earth.

The first eleven chapters show the moral commitments God wove into the very fabric of existence and His willingness to judge and punish breaches of those commitments.

Beginning in chapter 12 the stories exit the myth range and enter the true realm that are rooted in Ancient Near Eastern history.

Genesis 12 began with Abram and the rest of the Old Testament follows his descendants.

Creation

Genesis 1 differentiates God from the rest of creation.

It cites God as the source of creation.

It is disputed whether the 'days' of creation are 24-hour periods of time or undetermined periods of time. Regardless of the disagreement in Christian circles, there is no denying that God was responsible for creation:

1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

Verse 1 uses the phrase "in the beginning". Prior to creation there was nothing, not even a beginning. Creation marks the beginning.

Fact - prior to the beginning there was God to cause the beginning.

Theory - The beginning is the act of creating the heavens and the earth.

1:2 " Not the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters"

Theory - Verse 1 shows that the earth was created, but verse 2 shows that it was empty and formless. This means that verse 1 may simply have been the creating the matter used in forming the earth.

Fact - There was darkness in the earth, no light.

Fact - The earth, despite being formless and dark, contained water

Fact - The Spirit of God dwelled on earth, as it floated over the waters.

1:3 "And God said let there be light and there was light"

Fact - God creates light out of nothing with a command.

1:4 "God saw that the light was good and separated the light from darkness"

Fact - This is an important act because God calls his creation 'good'.

Theory - It is also important because He differentiates light and darkness. There is light and there is darkness only because God has created them. The darkness is not nothingness. Nothingness is neither darkness nor light. It is the absence of both.