×

It’s important to look at Bible

To the editor:

Not every word in the Bible’s history of creation is literal. We need to know when words are figurative and what they mean.

The first chapter of Genesis doesn’t really describe the creation of the earth, sun, moon, stars as celestial bodies. It tells about a new creation on the earth to repair damage caused by Lucifer’s (Satan’s) rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-20; Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:7-9). The sun, moon and stars became visible after the earth had been in darkness (Gen. 1:2, 14-15).

Peter defined the length of the “days” in Gen. 1:3-31. Regarding the creation, he said a thousand years was like one day to God (2 Peter 3:8).

Peter also said God formed the earth “by means of water” (verse 5). Dry land emerged on the third “day” as water receded on a planet that already existed (Gen. 1:9-10) but was flooded (Gen. 1:2) until then. Moving water reshaped its surface in a process longer than 24 hours.

God created plants, animals and humans, in that order, in the worldwide creation of living things (Gen. 1:11-13). However, Gen. 2:5-7 says that God created Adam first, in an area without vegetation. Plants sprouted after it rained, growing from seeds God created. That growth took more than 24 hours. God then created animals last (verses 18-19) in that region (Eden).

If we don’t allow for figures of speech in Genesis, it would mean that the supernatural creator got tired and slept when He “rested” on the seventh “day.” That contradicts the fact that God never gets tired or sleeps.

Robert Kohtala

CHASSELL

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today