How do the writers of the Bible explain the creation of the world?

Answer 1

There are two creation stories in Genesis: (1) verses 1:1 to 2:4a; (2) 2:4b to 2:22. The first of these (1:1-2:4a) is recognised by scholars as the work of the Priestly (P) source, based on a Mesopotamian myth encountered by the Jews in Babylon. So, the creation account that has the world created in six days, whcih every Christian learns as a child, did not even exist prior to the sixth century BCE. The second account (2:4b-2:22) predated the other in Judaism but was never considered important, except for the creation of Adam, then later Eve. A summary follows, in order to show that these are really two quite separate accounts:
In Genesis 1:1 to 2:4a ( up to first sentence of 2:4) there was a pre-existing watery chaos. The ocean was already present and a wind moved across the surface. The seas rested on the dry land, which appeared on day 3 when God gathered the waters together. The order of creation was as follows: (Day 1) light [day]; (2) the firmament, which was believed to separate the waters of the heavens from the lower waters; (3) By gathering the lower waters in one place the land appeared. Grasses and trees; (4) sun; moon and stars - the lights in the firmament; (5) fish, land creatures and fowl; (6) man, both male and female. Notice that the light of day was not yet understood to have originated from the sun, although the sun was universally understood to rule the day. That is why it was possible to have grass and trees before the sun was created.

Genesis 2:4b to 2:15 says that there was pre-existing dry land, but God had yet to make it rain for plants to grow. A spring arose and God took some moist clay and made Adam. After Adam, he made the creatures of earth, one by one, then finally Eve. This account could scarcely be different from the previous version.

It may seem surprising that, in both creation stories, the basics were already there - the waters, the dry land, the wind and therefore the air. Many experts in Hebrew have carefully examined the texts and confirm that this is what they say. The biblical creations were not ex nihilo.

For information on modern views of creation, please visit: http://Christianity.answers.com/theology/the-story-of-creation

First of all, all Scripture is 'God-breathed' meaning it comes to mankind in The Bible by His inspiration through various writers. So no human explains the creation. Only God reveals it to us.

That being said, a modern hypothesis looks at the book of beginnings called Genesis via the Hebrew 'Toledoth Colophons' or subscripts usually containing the wording 'this/these are the generations of' in it which is a bibliographical reference of who is presenting the information. To this extent then, the Book of Genesis contains 11-12 of these 'marking boundaries' today listed in title sections. What is commonly thought of as the Creation account - some believe one account from two aspects while others believe are two separate accounts, can be categorized as follows:

1st toledoth - Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3 - the creation per God's perspective - called 'Heaven and Earth'
2nd toledoth - Genesis 2:4 to Genesis 4:26 - creation to present time of Adam - called simply 'Adam'

Using this hypothesis then, the creation account in the Book of Genesis is one telling from two perspectives - God and the original creation of the physical universe and world for mankind; and next is the created man's perspective of the creation as he saw it.

Answer 2

First of all, all Scripture is 'God-breathed' meaning it comes to mankind in the Bible by His inspiration through various writers. So no human explains the creation. Only God reveals it to us.

That being said, a modern hypothesis looks at the book of beginnings called Genesis via the Hebrew 'Toledoth Colophons' or subscripts usually containing the wording 'this/these are the generations of' in it which is a bibliographical reference of who is presenting the information. To this extent then, the Book of Genesis contains 11-12 of these 'marking boundaries' today listed in title sections. What is commonly thought of as the Creation account - some believe one account from two aspects while others believe are two separate accounts, can be categorized as follows:

1st toledoth - Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3 - the creation per God's perspective - called 'Heaven and Earth'
2nd toledoth - Genesis 2:4 to Genesis 4:26 - creation to present time of Adam - called simply 'Adam'

Using this hypothesis then, the creation account in the Book of Genesis is one telling from two perspectives - God and the original creation of the physical universe and world for mankind; and next is the created man's perspective of the creation as he saw it.