Seven Day Creation Story

[GoingMyOwnWay]

I'm a little confused about the whole Creation story - Catholics believe that it didn't actually take seven days, that it really took billions of years. What do other Christians believe?

[Krony]

I agree 100% with MaryAnn. I believe God is very clear in Genesis about each day.

[Carl]

OK, I have found a Biblical reference I would like to point out. 2nd Peter Chapter three verse 8. "But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousnd years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day." I believe that this would help solidify my side of the story. Of course I am not trying to injure anybodies Faith but just to point out a reference that supports my postion in this one instance.

[MaryAnn]

Hi Carl,
Yes, and there is another biblical reference to the 1,000 years in Psalm 90:4 ‘For You, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.’ We are reminded that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. God is not limited by time. It’s easy to get discouraged when years pass and the world doesn’t get better. We sometimes wonder if God is able to see the future. But don’t assume that God has our limitations. God is completely unrestricted by time. Because He is eternal, we can depend on Him.

The scripture you quoted 2 Peter 3:8, in my study notes says...God may have seemed slow to these believers as they faced persecution every day and longed to be delivered. But God is not slow; He just is not on our timetable. Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. We must not sit and wait for Christ to return, but we should realize that time is short and we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ any time. Even today; yet plan your course of service as though He may not return for many years.

The context in Genesis, however, very clearly states the reference to 24-hour days.

Bless you today,
Maryann

[Carl]

Maryann, Thank you for pointing out that I refrenced an incorrect verse. Yet you quote a verse that supports my thoughts on this. That is the true nature of working together. But like I said what diffrence does it really make if it was seven days or seventy trillon years. We are here because of God and all glory goes to Him.

A Brother in Faith,
Carl

[MaryAnn]

Dear Carl, Brother in Faith,

I found some notes I had taken awhile back when I studied this. Maybe they will help you to understand where I'm coming from and why I believe as I do. I believe it makes a huge difference whether six days or sixty trillion years.

10 Dangers of Theistic Evolution

1) Misrepresent the nature of God (Mt 5:48; Isa 6:3; Jer 32:17; 1 John Chapters 1&2; 1Jn 4:16 and 1:5; Dt 32:4; Gen 1:31

2) God becomes a god of the gaps (for unexplained phenomena).

3) Denial of central biblical teachings (true meaning lost, mythical)

4) Loss of the Way for finding God. (Ro 7:18-19; Luke 19:10, sin becomes meaningless)

5) The Doctrine of God's incarnation is undermined. (Jn 1:14; Phil 2:5-7)

6) The Biblical Basis of Jesus' Work of Redemption is Mythologized (Ro 5:12; Adam-Jesus Ro 5:16-18)

7) Loss of Biblical Chronology (Gen 1:1; Mt 24:14; Ex 20:11; Gal 4:4)

8) Loss of Creation Concepts...God created from nothing - Conflict, Big Bang

9) Misrepresentation of Reality (The Bible carries the seal of truth.)

10) Missing the Purpose (Gen 1:27-28; Isa 53:5; 1 John 4:9; Titus 3:7; 1 Pet 1:4

Hope this helps,
MA

[Carl]

Maryann, I thank you for shareing these verses with me. I will be sure to study them with an open heart and mind. I am sure they will affect my views on this subject. And yes, I was taught in Sunday school creation took 6 days. And yes, that is what I belived as a child. And yes, I belive that God did create the Earth and put the stars in the sky. And I also belive that God could have created the Earth and with all the fossils in less then the twinkling of an eye. But, can you also accept the possibility my point of view is possible?

A Brother in Faith,
Carl

[MaryAnn]

Carl,

I did not have the privilege of attending Sunday School as a youngster, yet I encountered God rather dramatically 5-1/2 years ago, when the veil was lifted, and I recognized Jesus as Creator and Almighty God. From that point onward I have been living in the Joy of the LORD, filled with gladness.

I simply choose not to question what is so plainly stated.
What I do accept, is that you have your point of view, and I have mine. This particular issue of six days creating, and one day of rest is what I believe.

I once heard:

Disbelief has peculiar children...children who are miserable on the journey, blind to the beauty, and oblivious to a once-in-a-lifetime romance with God.

For me this issue is not about being 'Right', or simply presenting my point of view. It's about being on this exciting adventure, this journey with God, and believing that,
He is Who HE says HE is, and
HE did what HE says HE did, and
HE will do what HE says HE will do.

In HIS Amazing Love,
MaryAnn

[LT]

The issue is a bit greater than just one's right to believe in a certain manner, which is absolutely true. God allows us to believe in whatever we choose, that does not make one right and some things God will sort out in the end. If one chooses to follow New-Age, God allows it in this life, but they will be lost forever when they stand before Him one day.

The heart of this issue deals with the manner inwhich one approaches Scripture. There are various methods of interpretation. How you approach Scripture such as the "Creation Account" will determine how one attempts to understand other Scripture.

This is the area inwhich we often find disagreements between the children of God. Both can love Jesus, but because of the manner inwhich the two choose to interpret Scripture they come to different conclusions. Two quick examples are "Eisegesis" vs. "Exegesis", "Liberal" vs. Fundemental."

Lord Bless,
LT

[MaryAnn]

What you said LT is key. Thanks for pointing this out:

How you approach Scripture such as the "Creation Account" will determine how one attempts to understand other Scripture.

[LT]

Here is an example of varied interpretations. If we deny the seven days (BTW, if not days, why use a number) are seven 24 hour periods what do we do with the 1,000 year period in Revelation 20? Most who will negate the seven days will not accept the 1,000 years as a literal 1,000 years. Whereas, if one accepts the seven days as literal, they will accept the 1,000 years as literal too. What do we do with the sun stopping for a day in Joshua 10:13? Was it months or years?

Food for thought,
LT

[indiegirl]

There were never any possible person who can witness the beginning of creation....and the Genesis were written at around 700BC if not mistaken by the anonymous writers who of course had the authority of writing the faith in such story that would underline faith in God the Creator. But I was also perplexed if taken the book as historical account regarding to whom Cain and Seth the children of Adam and Eve would have married to generate children? It didn't say anything about any girl being born to earth by Adam and Eve and if so but not mentioned, then they must have performed the children intermarry which is awkward to this time right?

[MaryAnn]

Hi indiegirl, You have a very interesting name. Is there some special meaning behind it?

Regarding the children of Adam & Eve. Obviously Their sons married their sisters. You are right..to us it is awkward, but back then it was normal. Today we have more to choose from. God created man perfect, but when sin came into the world, we began a downward slide of degeneration...the 'gene' pool...everything was affected.

There is an excellent resource you may want to check out Creation Ministries International (formerly answers in Genesis). Be blessed my sister.

MaryAnn