CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE UNCOVERED! Does Gen2 Contradict Gen1?

Are there contradictions in the opening two chapters of the Bible? This is episode 10 of The Bible Guy, where Dr Andrew Corbett (President of ICI Theological College Australia) discusses whether Genesis 2 contradicts Genesis 1.

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• genesis
• creation
• bible
• scripture
• apologetics
• contradiction
• contradictions
• adam
• eve
• earth

[DrAndrewC]

@milsimaustralia Genesis 1 is indeed an overview of the creation period. It begins from the perspective of space then moves to the perspective of earth. The 6 creation events are indeed sequential and logical. The perspective of Genesis 2 is from the plot marked out for Eden and gives the detail of Creation Day 6 mentioned in Genesis 1.

[milsimaustralia]

@DrAndrewC "As explained previously, Genesis 1 is an introductory overview of the creation account written from the perspective of Earth generally" These are your words. The perspectives theory you reading into the texts must still produce a lineal appreciation for creation events. Unfortunately the theory is turning out to be more of a pulp fiction than explanation- none of the perspective shifts have explained the presence of advanced vegetation before adequate sunlight, the paradox stands.

[DrAndrewC]

@milsimaustralia You've made certain assumptions which I have not asserted. Genesis 1:1 refers to a specific event, generally referred to as "The Big Bang".

[milsimaustralia]

@DrAndrewC One seems content developing the idea of diffuse light penetrating what was a noxious oppressive atmosphere, feeding vegetation that couldn't have possibly existed unless direct sunlight shone through. The entire point of the discussion is the paradox of seed bearing vegetation existing before the "Earth" could see the Sun. You are familiar with the term eisegesis-this is an example. In your view Gen 1:1 is a summary and specific event? And the light in 1:3 the Sun and stars?

[DrAndrewC]

@milsimaustralia Actually, the Big Bang is described in Genesis 1:1. The Sun, Moon, and Stars did not replace the light sources for earth. The atmosphere would have changed from diffused light through an opaque atmosphere to the light we enjoy today through a translucent atmosphere. The term "Big Bang" was actually coined to ridicule the Biblical model of Creation. You can find more detailed explanation of this at reasonsdotorg.

[milsimaustralia]

@DrAndrewC I didn't actually agree with the Eden plot scenario, but rather maintain that verse 8 & 15 contradict the idea. On the light created in 1:3, surely in your scientific creation that was the big bang? The initial light -super heated particles?? the explanation from verse 14~18 is too specific to just be a swap out, ie. sun and moon and stars replace the first light ...verse 18 specifically states "to separate light from darkness" to use 1:3 as a light source for yom 3 is a temporal knot

[DrAndrewC]

@milsimaustralia The Gen 1 actually states that God created sources of light as one of His first creative acts BEFORE He created vegetation. Secondly, I think you're right about the plot for Eden not being previously vegetated. That was actually the point made in the video.

Even if you take a Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary view, you still have to work with the established dates: Universe sprang into existence 13.7B years ago; Earth formed around 4.5B years ago; & the first life-forms 3.8B ago.

[milsimaustralia]

@DrAndrewC the perspectives theory sounds interesting if a little unsatisfying as is the sufficient sunlight modification given the advanced nature of seed bearing plants. I'm wondering though do you need to justify Genesis 2 at all given that vegetation would not have covered 100% of the surface of the earth and God probably just found a place where it was not growing to form Adam from the dust...the readings especially verse 8 and 15 seem to contradict the "created at eden plot" perspective

[DrAndrewC]

@milsimaustralia I agree with you that the sunlight was sufficiently visible through the opaque atmosphere for the earliest life to commence. This would have taken place after the Late Heavy Bombardment around 3.8 billion years ago. The perspective of Genesis 1 and 2 moves from (i) outside earth > (ii) on earth > (iii) the plot for the Garden of Eden.

[milsimaustralia]

@DrAndrewC giving the impression the sun appeared to who? Perspective issue! The answer also fails to attend the fact that one would still require sunlight for seed bearing vegetation to exist...it is improbable to say the least that vegetation evolved to seed bearing status [sic] in the time after the degassing which formed an atmosphere (after which water condensed and fell as rain to partially form the oceans) and the bombardments (depositing water) but before the Sun could be seen...