Was the Genesis Author Confused?

Genesis 1:14-19

The Genesis author appears to be confused. From a normal reading of virtually all English Bible translations of Genesis 1:14-19, it appears that the author was contradicting himself. But, how could this happen with an inspired document (2 Tim 3:16-17)?

For example, it appears from English Bibles that the sun and moon were created on the 4th day (Gen. 1:14-19). “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night…” (1:14). “Let there be” sounds like a divine command for the lights in the sky (sun & moon) to come into existence.

But if the sun and moon were created on the 4th day, how could there be a “day and night” on the first three days? The sun is essential for a day to occur. Without the light of the sun, darkness dominates; a day without a sun? What, was the writer confused?

A second example: How could plants and vegetables grow prior to the 4th day if there were yet no sun (no light and no photosynthesis)? Did plants and vegetables grow sans the sun’s light? Did the author flunk biology class?

A third example: If the “the heavens and the earth” (הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃, a Hebrew figure of speech, called a merism, meaning “the universe”) were created “in the beginning” (בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית;  Gen 1:1), the creation of the “heavens” included the sun and the moon. So, why do the sun and moon appear to be created again on the 4th day? What was the writer thinking?

Thoughtful people are troubled by the inconsistencies and deserve credible, textually based answers, not theological spin. The Scriptures are inspired by God. Therefore, the apparent inconsistencies are just that-- apparent. The problem is with our translations, not Moses the author.

The textually based solution—no spin--to these three apparent contradictions in the English Bible is both simple and inspirational. Join us for corporate worship at Grace Bible Church on July 9, 2017, to adore the Triune God, celebrate the Gospel, hear the Scriptures expounded and the simple solution.