Did God create the earth before the sun and moon?

Summary

In this lecture, Dr. Ross addresses a question regarding the sequence of creation events in Genesis, specifically whether Earth was created before the Sun. He explains that Genesis 1 describes the transformation of Earth's atmosphere, making it translucent on the first day and transparent by the fourth day, allowing light and celestial bodies to be visible from Earth. Ross emphasizes the need to interpret these events from the perspective of an observer on Earth. He also references Job 38 to support the view that the Sun, Moon, and stars were created earlier, before the six days of creation.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Dr. Ross believes the chronological sequence of creation in Genesis 1 is accurate, even as an astronomer.
• 📜 The speaker reads from Genesis 1, highlighting the creation of Earth before the sun, moon, and stars.
• 🌕 The questioner asks if it's plausible for Earth to precede the sun, given the gravitational importance of celestial bodies.
• 🔭 Dr. Ross clarifies that Genesis 1:14 mentions 'Let there be great lights' and adds context from Job 38:8-9, explaining Earth's atmosphere was opaque, causing darkness.
• 💡 On Creation Day 1, the atmosphere transformed from opaque to translucent, allowing light to pass through.
• 🌞 On Creation Day 4, the atmosphere became transparent, letting observers on Earth finally see the sun, moon, and stars.
• 📖 The frame of reference is essential: the account is from the perspective of an observer on Earth's surface.
• 🕒 The visibility of celestial bodies was meant to help creatures (like birds) mark time and seasons, introduced with advanced life on Creation Day 5.
• 📚 The completed verb form in Hebrew for 'God made' implies the sun, moon, and stars could have been created anytime before the six creation days.
• 📘 Dr. Ross references his book, 'The Genesis Question,' for more detailed explanations about this interpretation of the creation account.

Q & A

What is the significance of the chronological sequence of creation events in Genesis 1 according to the lecture?

The lecture suggests that the sequence in Genesis 1 is not meant to be a literal timeline but rather a theological narrative. It emphasizes the importance of interpreting the text from the perspective of an observer on Earth.

Why does the lecturer believe the Earth was created before the Sun according to the biblical account?

The lecturer argues that the Earth was enshrouded in an opaque atmosphere before the creation days, which was transformed to allow light through on the first day, and then further to transparency on the fourth day to allow visibility of celestial bodies.

What is the role of verse 14 in the creation narrative according to the lecture?

Verse 14, which is often overlooked, is significant because it sets the stage for the transformation of the Earth's atmosphere to allow light to reach the surface.

What does the lecturer refer to when mentioning Job 38:8-9?

Job 38:8-9 is referenced to support the idea that the Earth was initially enshrouded in darkness due to an opaque atmosphere before the six creation days.

How does the lecturer interpret the phrase 'let there be light' on the first creation day?

The lecturer interprets 'let there be light' as God transforming the Earth's atmosphere to allow light from outside to pass through to the surface.

What is the significance of the fourth creation day in the lecture?

On the fourth creation day, the atmosphere is said to have become transparent, allowing observers on Earth to see the celestial bodies for the first time.

Why does the lecturer believe the celestial bodies were created before the six days of creation?

The lecturer points to Job 38:9-10 as evidence that the celestial bodies were created in the beginning, before the six days, to provide light and regulate biological clocks of future creatures.

What is the purpose of the 'great lights' according to Genesis 1:14 as explained in the lecture?

The 'great lights' are said to serve as signs to mark seasons and years, which is crucial for the regulation of biological clocks of advanced life forms created on the fifth day.

What does the lecturer mean by the 'frame of reference' in the context of interpreting Genesis?

The 'frame of reference' refers to the perspective from which the creation account is interpreted, which in this case is that of an observer on the surface of the Earth.

What is the lecturer's stance on the consistency of all 20 creation accounts in the Bible?

The lecturer emphasizes that all 20 creation accounts should be consistent when interpreting the biblical narrative, suggesting a holistic approach to understanding creation.

How does the lecturer reconcile the importance of the Sun's gravitational effect with the biblical account of creation?

The lecturer suggests that the Sun's gravitational effect is acknowledged in the narrative by the timing of its visibility to observers on Earth, which is crucial for the regulation of life and seasons.