The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 1

Genesis 1 is the very first book in the Bible, and describes how the earth and heavens were created.   The comments and discussion in this section are not to make fun of Christians, but to point out discrepancies in a book that is allegedly inerrant and without contradiction.   This chapter and the following chapter are critical reading if one is to understand why the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in the public schools has ignited debate.

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• About the Bible Slam – If you are new here, please read the about page to understand the choice of the word "slam" and to read the Important Disclaimer about swear words.   We have provided a   link to biblical reading without swear words or commentary on the about page, just in case   swear words are offensive to you.
• {NEXT} Genesis Chapter 2

Discussion.

The creation stories (you'll learn that there is more than one story) in the Bible have fueled the debate over whether evolution or "intelligent design" should be taught in public schools.   When it comes to the Bible, some people are ardent believers … regardless of whether or not the Bible story matches with scientific fact.   For instance, the Examiner reported on the reaction of people in Waco, Texas, during a year 2006   lecture given by Bill Nye (known as the "the Science Guy" in children's entertainment).   When Nye suggested that the moon did not generate its own light, but reflected light from the sun, he was booed. According to the Examiner:

Trouble started when the children's entertainer brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars," and pointed out that the lesser light was actually a reflector.

At this point, several people in the audience stormed out, including a woman with three small children who muttered, "We believe in God!" and left.

With an eye toward the Bible being the "inerrant" word of God, here are some points to discuss and consider:

• God creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day.   However, the light producing objects such as the sun and stars were not created until the fourth day.
• The "firmament" is apparently some kind of dome, made out of water.   There is no space as we know it, according to this account.
• Grasses and fruit trees were created on the 3rd day, yet there was no sun until the 4th day.
• As Dr. Nye points out, the moon is not a light — it only reflects light from the sun.   The moon, which "rules the night" is often visible during the day.   How is that so?
• How many gods are there?   Which one applies?   In this account, God says at Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" and then in Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
• In Genesis 1, man and woman are created at the same time.
  
• There is no forbidden fruit in Chapter 1.   The fruit of every tree may be eaten.
  
• For King James version text and annotations:   Genesis 1

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