Creation Week: Genesis 1
by Owen Borville
November 1, 2018
Bible
The traditional view of Earth history is the 6,000 year-old earth described in the Bible, including the creation week described in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. In the first chapter of Genesis, the creation week is clearly laid out as a literal, six-day week followed by one day of rest. Later chapters in the Bible, including the Book of Chronicles detail the chronology of man from Adam until the time the scripture was written. Using the Biblical chronology, Christian theologians have calculated an age of the earth at approximately 6,000 years ago, most notably by Irish Archbishop James Ussher (1581-1656). Ussher calculated the date of the creation in the year 4004 B.C. on October 22nd. The Creation week was accepted by most of the western and Christian world until the late 18th century and even many non-Christian cultures assumed a young earth less than 10,000 years old until the 18th century.
The First Day: The Heavens and the Earth
The first day of creation week begins with the creation of the heavens and a "formless and empty earth" with darkness over the surface of the deep while the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The first light was created and it was separated from the darkness. Then there was the first "evening and morning" to clearly describe a normal day and no long ages in between.
Note that the Sun was not created until Day 4, therefore the light described on the first day must have been a different light, but was apparently sufficient for the plant life on Day 3. Some believe that this first light was directly from God himself and provided light to the earth until the Sun as we know it today was formally created on Day 4.
The Second Day: The Sky
On the second day, God created the sky by separating the waters and by creating a vault between the waters and calling this vault "the sky." Another evening and morning followed.
The Third Day: Dry Land Appears
On the third day, God created dry land by gathering the waters or seas under the sky into one place. God also produced vegetation from the land including seed-bearing plants and trees bearing fruit. Another evening and morning passed.
The Fourth Day: The Sun, Moon, and the Stars
On the fourth day, the sun and moon were created to "govern the day and the night" along with the creation of the stars. Another evening and morning passed.
The Fifth Day: Sea Creatures and Birds
On the fifth day, the living creatures of the sea were created along with all the birds. Another evening and morning passed.
The Sixth Day: Land Animals and Humans
On the sixth day God created all land animals, including livestock and wild animals, according to their "kinds." God made humans as his final creation.
The Seventh Day: A Holy Day of Rest
On the seventh day, God had completed his creation and rested from His work while blessing the day and making it a Holy Day.
by Owen Borville
November 1, 2018
Bible
The traditional view of Earth history is the 6,000 year-old earth described in the Bible, including the creation week described in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. In the first chapter of Genesis, the creation week is clearly laid out as a literal, six-day week followed by one day of rest. Later chapters in the Bible, including the Book of Chronicles detail the chronology of man from Adam until the time the scripture was written. Using the Biblical chronology, Christian theologians have calculated an age of the earth at approximately 6,000 years ago, most notably by Irish Archbishop James Ussher (1581-1656). Ussher calculated the date of the creation in the year 4004 B.C. on October 22nd. The Creation week was accepted by most of the western and Christian world until the late 18th century and even many non-Christian cultures assumed a young earth less than 10,000 years old until the 18th century.
The First Day: The Heavens and the Earth
The first day of creation week begins with the creation of the heavens and a "formless and empty earth" with darkness over the surface of the deep while the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The first light was created and it was separated from the darkness. Then there was the first "evening and morning" to clearly describe a normal day and no long ages in between.
Note that the Sun was not created until Day 4, therefore the light described on the first day must have been a different light, but was apparently sufficient for the plant life on Day 3. Some believe that this first light was directly from God himself and provided light to the earth until the Sun as we know it today was formally created on Day 4.
The Second Day: The Sky
On the second day, God created the sky by separating the waters and by creating a vault between the waters and calling this vault "the sky." Another evening and morning followed.
The Third Day: Dry Land Appears
On the third day, God created dry land by gathering the waters or seas under the sky into one place. God also produced vegetation from the land including seed-bearing plants and trees bearing fruit. Another evening and morning passed.
The Fourth Day: The Sun, Moon, and the Stars
On the fourth day, the sun and moon were created to "govern the day and the night" along with the creation of the stars. Another evening and morning passed.
The Fifth Day: Sea Creatures and Birds
On the fifth day, the living creatures of the sea were created along with all the birds. Another evening and morning passed.
The Sixth Day: Land Animals and Humans
On the sixth day God created all land animals, including livestock and wild animals, according to their "kinds." God made humans as his final creation.
The Seventh Day: A Holy Day of Rest
On the seventh day, God had completed his creation and rested from His work while blessing the day and making it a Holy Day.
