The Christian Views of Genesis 1 in the Bible.

Genesis 1 was written by Moses about 3,500 years ago, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (text is inspired by the Holy Spirit), and may also include some oral history passed down. Here are the Christian Views of Genesis:

See the Age of Earth Page for more details on the old vs young Earth debate.

1) Young Earth Creationism (YEC) - The word day (day 1 to 6) in Genesis 1 is 24 hours. If day 7 is 24 hours, did God start creating again? The scientific record is wrong, or we are deceived by it (yet claim there is some scientific evidence to support the view). There are no gaps in the genealogical records. Genesis 1 is a literal chronological account of Earth's history. Cites Exodus 20:11 as proof that Gen 1 days must be 24 hours. The age of the Earth is a salvation issue, so there are only two views: Young Earth Creationism and all others (atheists and heretics). (View does not match the scientific record.)

2) Day Age Creationism - The word day (day 1 to 7) in Genesis 1 is a long but finite time span. Day 7 is ongoing as Heb 4 states. Thus, the Bible matches the scientific record; both are true, and there is no conflict. Genesis 1 is strong proof of the Bible's inspiration, not only of Genesis 1 but of the whole Bible. There are gaps in the genealogical records, as the many genealogical records in the Bible do not match. The genealogies are for theological teaching. The word translated as "son" can be translated as grandson or great-grandson. and so on. Also, the word "father" is better translated as "ancestor of". Genesis 1 is a literal chronological account of Earth's history. The age of the Earth and the universe is not a salvation issue. See Creation Model page

3) Gap Theory - The word day (day 1 to 6) in Genesis 1 is 24 hours, but there are long but finite time spans between the days. (a mix of YEC and Day Age. Both are true.) There are no gaps in the genealogical records. The age of the Earth and the universe is not a salvation issue. (View does not match the scientific record.)

4) Framework hypothesis - Interprets the six-day creation account in Genesis 1 as a topical, literary framework rather than a literal, chronological timeline. It posits that the "days" are symbolic, outlining two parallel triads of "forming" (Days 1–3) and "filling" (Days 4–6), designed to teach theological truths about God as Creator, Days 1–3 (Forming): Day 1 (Light/Dark), Day 2 (Sky/Sea), Day 3 (Land/Vegetation). Days 4–6 (Filling): Day 4 (Sun/Moon/Stars), Day 5 (Birds/Fish), Day 6 (Animals/Humans). Formed so there is no debate. Thus, there is no scientific record debate. The age of the Earth and the universe is not a salvation issue.

5) Non-Historical - Non-literal, Genesis 1 is mainly a spiritual story, not a historical record of the past. Genesis 1 is a symbolic, theological, or poetic text. Thus, there is no debate about the other views. Also, there is no scientific record debate. The age of the earth and the universe is not a salvation issue.

6) No position: (The age of the earth and the universe is not a salvation issue). Some denominations have taken the position that the denomination should have no position on the above 5 views, due to the sharp debate. As a sample of this position here is the Evangelical Free Church of America statement on the age of the Earth and the universe: In Article 1, God, in our Statement of Faith, we affirm the following: “We believe in one God, Creator of all things [who has] limitless knowledge and sovereign power [and who] has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.” These are the explicit essentials of creation we affirm. But when addressing the age of the universe, i.e. the timing question, we have intentionally placed that in the category of silence. What this means is clarified in Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America. To be sure, Genesis 1 expresses truth about God as Creator and his creation, but because of the uncertainty regarding the meaning and literary form of this text and the lack of Evangelical consensus on this issue, our Statement does not require a particular position on the mechanics of creation. However, to be within the doctrinal parameters of the EFCA, any understanding of the process of creation must affirm: 1. That God is the Creator of all things out of nothing (ex nihilo) 2. That he pronounced his creation “very good,” 3. that God created with order and purpose, 4. that God is the sovereign ruler over all creation which, by his personal and particular providence, he sustains, 5. that God created the first human beings—the historical Adam and Eve—uniquely in his image, 6. and that through their sin all humanity along with this created order is now fallen. 9 We deny the notion that God is simply the Creator of the universe but is no longer active in it, as is espoused by deism. 10 This Statement does not speak to the precise process of creation or to the age of the universe. To be acceptable within the EFCA any views on these specifics must completely affirm this Statement of Faith and align within these essential parameters.

Word Study:

These three words are all translated Create in Gen 1:

BARA: bring forth something that is radically new; produce that which is new, extraordinary, and/or epochal; produce through supernatural activity

HAYAH: become; cause to appear or arise; cause to be made or done; come into existence; come to pass; make into something

ASAH: produce; manufacture; fabricate

Time:

Day - Yom - YOWM: sunrise to sunset; sunset to sunset; a space of time (defined by an associated term); an age; time or period (without any reference to solar days)

Let there be light: RAAH: be seen; appear; show forth, cause one to see; to be perceived or beheld; to be considered.

Major Biblical Creation Texts:

Genesis 1 Creation chronology: physical perspective

Genesis 2 Creation chronology: spiritual perspective

Genesis 3–5 Human sin and its damage

Genesis 6–9 God’s damage control

Genesis 10–11 Global dispersion of humanity

Job 9 Creator’s transcendent creation power

Job 34–38 Physical creation’s intricacy and complexity

Job 39–42 Soulish creation’s intricacy and complexity

Psalm 8 Creation’s appeal to humility

Psalm 19 Creation’s “speech”

Psalm 33 God’s control and sovereignty over nature

Psalm 65 Creator’s authority and optimal provision

Psalm 104 Elaboration of physical creation events

Psalm 139 Creation of individual humans

Psalms 147–148 Testimony of the Creator’s power, wisdom, and care in nature

Proverbs 8 Creator’s existence before creation

Ecclesiastes 1–3 Constancy of physical laws

Ecclesiastes 8–12 Limits to human control of nature

Isaiah 40–51 Origin and development of the universe

Romans 1–8 Purposes of the creation

1 Corinthians 15 Life after life

2 Corinthians 4 Creator’s glory in and beyond creation

Colossians 1 Creation’s extent

Hebrews 1 Cosmic creation’s temporality; role of angels in creation

Hebrews 4 Role of God’s rest in creation

2 Peter 3 Creation’s end

Revelation 20–22 The new creation

Also see Creation Models