Creationism/Evolution
See other Creationism/Evolution Articles
Title: Sunlight Before the Sun
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://www.icr.org/article/3620/
Published: Nov 17, 2012
Author: John D. Morris, Ph.D.
Post Date: 2012-11-17 06:29:34 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 2875
Comments: 5
According to Scripture, God "created the heaven and the earth" on Day One of Creation Week (Genesis 1:1). Initially all was dark, until God said, "Let there be light" (v. 3). Days Two and Three saw the oceans, firmament (or atmosphere), continents, and plants formed, as the earth was being progressively prepared for man's habitation. It was on Day Four that God created the sun, moon, and stars, proclaiming, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven" (v. 14), one purpose of which was "to give light upon the earth" (v. 15).
This light was directional, coming from a particular source. The earth was evidently rotating underneath it, causing alternating periods of light and dark. "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night" (v. 5).
Skeptics have long ridiculed the science of biblical creation over this point. How could there be light bathing the earth before the sun was created? Obviously the Bible must be in error. But as always, this apparent error drives us to look more closely at the relevant data, both scientific and biblical.
Actually there are many sources of light, not just the sun. There are also many types of light, not just visible light. Short-wave light includes ultraviolet light, X-rays, and others. Long-wave light includes infrared light, radio waves, etc. Light is produced by friction, by fire, by numerous chemical reactions, as well as the nuclear reactions of atomic fission and fusion, which is what we think is occurring in the sun. God had at His fingertips many options to accomplish His purposes. Light does not automatically require the sun.
Furthermore, we have important data given by the Hebrew words used in the creation account. When God created "light" in verse 3, the word used connotes the presence of light only, while the word used for "lights" on Day Four is best translated "light bearers," or permanent light sources. Their purpose was not only to give light, but to serve as timekeepers for man once he was created. According to the best stellar creation theory now available, light from stars created anywhere in the universe on Day Four would reach earth in two earth days, and would be useful to Adam on Day Six. (For more information, see Dr. Russell Humphrey's cosmology articles on www.icr.org.)
Keep in mind that the Creation Week was a uniquely miraculous time, and we are justified in speculating that miraculous events may have been taking place outside of today's natural laws. Especially when we realize that "God is light" (1 John 1:5) Himself, thus no outside natural source is necessarily mandated.
For semi-creationists who claim that the "days" of Genesis 1 must have been long periods of time, a more serious problem arises. Genesis plainly teaches that plants appeared on Day Three, and the sun on Day Four. But plants need sunlight for photosynthesis and cannot wait in darkness for millions of years. If the days were long epochs, as demanded by critics of a literal Creation Week, plants could not survive.
How much better and more satisfying it is to accept Scripture as it stands. It doesn't need to be fully understood and explained by modern scientific thought; it just needs to be believed and obeyed.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Coral Snake, Don, Redleghunter (#0)
For semi-creationists who claim that the "days" of Genesis 1 must have been long periods of time, a more serious problem arises. Genesis plainly teaches that plants appeared on Day Three, and the sun on Day Four. But plants need sunlight for photosynthesis and cannot wait in darkness for millions of years. If the days were long epochs, as demanded by critics of a literal Creation Week, plants could not survive.
You have a problem here Coral Snake. Your theory just got sunk.
#2. To: A K A Stone (#1)
Like I said in another post...CS has too much junk in the wagon. He needs to jettison the "junk wagon" and stick to basics.
"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.) Psalm 139:16
#3. To: A K A Stone (#1)
Not so, the remainder of Genesis 1 after Genesis 1:2 depicts the creation of the Second Earth and heaven (solar system) Age not the earth and solar system itself. Therefore it does not have to follow a particular fossil order
The FARO RESERVE BANK!!! 
#4. To: redleghunter (#2)
Those "basics" (Rapture, Young Earth Creationism, fertility eggs and "quick like a rabbit" sexual symbology and false sex Goddes names (Easter == Ishtar == Astarte) added to what should be the High Holy day of Christian PASSOVER are known by another name.
The traditions of men that make VOID the Word of God!!!
(Yashuah Messiah / Jesus Christ in his sacrifice of his blood for our sins became our PASSOVER and that is what should be celebrated in the spring festaval, NOT fertility processions (Easter parades), fertility eggs and "quick like a rabbit" sexual symbology under the name of a false sex goddess (Easter == Ishtar == Astarte.)
To be studied correctly the Bible, Yahaveh God's letter to you has to be studied either chapter by the chapter and verse by verse method for regular study or by the subject, object and article method for topical study using the tools needed to get back to the meanings of the original manuscripts (Strong's Concordance, Comapanion Bible version of the King James Bible) as needed. This "one verse a sunday basics" business just doesn't cut the mustard. That is why so many people who honestly believe what little of the Bible they know actually have BLINDERS on concerning what the Bible actually says about certain things. (The Three Earth Ages, Kenites, Christians keeping Passover rather than reverting to sexual paganism on the Spring High Holy Day, etc.)
The FARO RESERVE BANK!!!
#5. To: Coral Snake (#4)
Those "basics" (Rapture, Young Earth Creationism, fertility eggs and "quick like a rabbit" sexual symbology and false sex Goddes names (Easter == Ishtar == Astarte) added to what should be the High Holy day of Christian PASSOVER are known by another name.The traditions of men that make VOID the Word of God!!!
(Yashuah Messiah / Jesus Christ in his sacrifice of his blood for our sins became our PASSOVER and that is what should be celebrated in the spring festaval, NOT fertility processions (Easter parades), fertility eggs and "quick like a rabbit" sexual symbology under the name of a false sex goddess (Easter == Ishtar == Astarte.)
You have seriously "gone where no man has gone before."
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]