The Story Of Creation Series

The Story of Creation

This summarizes the Biblical account of creation in the book of Genesis. The creation story begins before anything exists except for God Himself. In Genesis 1, the very first chapter of the Bible, we read how God created the earth in six days - light on the first Day, the sky and air on the second day, land and plants on the third Day, and the sun and moon on the fourth day, birds and water animals on the fifth day, animals and man on the sixth Day. God then called creation good, and on the seventh day, God rested.

Creation Story in the Bible

1. Date. The date of creation cannot be determined. The first statement of the book of Genesis places the time in remote and impenetrable antiquity.

2. Creator. The writer of Genesis offers no proof of the existence of Jehovah or of the fact that he made all things. (Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:2; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:10; Hebrews 11:3).

3. Light. The process of creation had probably been going on for ages before the light was created by the fiat (sanction) of Jehovah (Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

4. Days of Creation. The phrase "evening and morning" occurs six times in the first account of creation, and it cannot be understood except in the light of the above statement. The fact that the creative work had been going on for unnumbered ages, leads the reverent student to the conclusion that the "days" were ordinary periods of twenty-four hours each, and that each product of Almighty power was finished and appointed to its sphere on its designated Day.

5. Order of Creation.

a. Light,

b. Firmament,

c. Vegetation,

d. Sun, moon, and stars,

e. Water animals and fowls,

f. Land animals, men, women,

Genesis 1:1, KJV: In the beginning God created Heaven and the earth.

Observe the steady march from the lower to the higher, from the unthinking to the intelligent, from the servant to the sovereign. See the universe by God's hand touched to harmony; see the march of creative power to its culmination in the making of the companion for man, pure and innocent, the highest image of God, and hear the stars sing together and the sons of God shout for joy over the completion of the mighty and glorious work!

Creation As Recorded in the Bible

The very first book of the Bible begins with two equally enormous claims: There was a "beginning," and God created everything. This immediately contradicts the view of an eternal or cyclical universe and any religious view that takes the universe as an accident, the product of many gods, or part of some other process. History shows that the idea of a "beginning" is so theologically loaded that secular science resisted it until it became impossible to deny.

Genesis 1 is a controversial chapter. Debates rage about the meanings and implications of many words. How long ago did God create? How exactly did He create? What were His methods? Much has been written to discuss, debate, and illuminate those questions. The primary debate is over the extent to which Genesis 1 is meant to be read as symbolism and poetry versus being read as an unvarnished narrative. To some extent, such arguments are beside the point of this passage.

Those who take the Scriptures as inspired must agree that God means for us to understand Him first and foremost as the Creator. Of course, everyone does not agree that the Bible is God's authoritative and inspired Word. This then produces even more controversies regarding Genesis. That, as well, is beyond the scope of this commentary.

For the most part, we will stick to the core, crucial, clear ideas. What is beyond debate is that the opening words of the Bible claim that God—whom we will come to know as the God of Israel—created the heavens and the earth. That is, He created everything in the natural world, from the heavens, the sky, and space, to our planet and everything on it.

Genesis 1:1, KJV: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The text begins by saying that God created "in the beginning." Even conservative Christian scholars come to slightly different conclusions based on that verse, depending on how they understand the original Hebrew language was intended to be read. Was this beginning the instant of "time zero," when there was no "before?" Or is this a reference to "the beginning [of God's creative work] " or the "season of creation"? However, we answer that question; it is an incredible thought that one being created all of our universes. Only God could do such a thing.

The following verses will add details to God's work as Creator, crediting Him with forming various aspects of the universe. This is crucial not only as a means of giving God due credit but also for dispelling suggestions that God was uninvolved or disinterested in these creations. Moreover, these words will counter claims that the stars, planets, plants, or animals are divine and worthy of worship.