Defense of 6 Day Creation

OK, I'm not gonna lie. This has been on my mind a lot lately. There are a large number of christians who view the beginning portion of genesis as a figurative writing and not something to be taken literally. There is also a large number believing it to be literal. I fall on the literal side of the fence and i thought I'd organize my thoughts and evidences on the matter here. Keep in mind, I'm not "arguing" from a scientific standpoint, just a biblical one. So, if you don't believe the Bible, this probably doesn't mean much to you, but you will hopefully find it interesting anyway.

1. What is the meaning of the word "day" as used in Genesis 1?

The Hebrew word translated "day" in Genesis 1 is "yom." The argument is that "yom" is an indefinite period of time, thus one can't restrict the six "yoms" in Genesis 1 to mean six days.

The only way to determine what "yom" means when used is by the context.

It's interesting to note that one doesn't have to look hard because it's defined each and every time it is used. "There was evening, and there was morning, (1,2,3,4,5, and 6) day(s). Also, there is a more direct definition given as well: "the light He called day." There is a portion of light once every 24 hours separated by darkness "called night." This phenomena is experienced by us today.

2. was the first "week" in Genesis is a poem never meant to be taken as literally what it says?

One can write it off as a poem if desired but a few things should be noted first: (i) the ironic defining of "day" as we perceive it instead of just simply using "yom" without explanation as to its length (ii) if there were such a person that actually wanted to explain that the earth was created in 6 days, in what way would Genesis 1 be written differently? (iii) for what purpose does a meaningless creation poem serve but confusion and ambiguity? (iv) if evolutionary theories didn't exist, would we be having this conversation?

3. The most convincing reason to me: The Sabbath Day. Look Exodus 20:8-11

When issuing the 10 Commandments to Moses God reiterated resting on the sabbath day and reminded them that he created the world in 6 days ("yom", yep, same word). This was no new commandment either, they were already resting on the 7th day. Note Exodus 16:24-30. If there was any amiguity as to how long it took God to create the earth, it is settled here. Note also Exodus 31:17. It was such a big deal not to work on the sabbath that it was punishable by death. There was no confusion how long the Lord worked in creating the earth to the Israelite. It continued to be a literal day of rest clear through the time of Jesus. Notice there is never a correction by Jesus on the length of the sabbath. It was established fact. You work 6, you rest 1. Our current week is based on this system.

Suffering

This theme seems to be jumping out in my life through my surroundings quite a bit lately. Suffering of all different types and degrees happening everywhere seems to beg a response to the question, "How could a loving and caring God let this happen?" Or even rather, "How can God's will sprout from such suffering?"

"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." -1 Thessalonians 5:14

What goes through your mind when you read that verse there? Think hard...
Read it a few times.

Do you always do all of that??
Me neither.

I can't always pinpoint the Lord's will. You may even say it's seldom that I do. The more I learn about the Lord, the more I see how huge He is. It's as if you learn a topic as to close in on the knowledge that is there on the subject as to be an expert, but with God, even though you learn, you see how big He really is and you realize you don't know what you're talking about to an extent.

Did you know Jesus's love is 4-dimensional?

"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints that is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 3:17-19

We live in three physical dimensions. Four dimensions wouldn't even make sense. It's like throwing a 3-D football through a 2 dimensional world. You'd completely freak out all of the stick people. It would make no sense to them.

I know one guy who suffered pretty bad for me...and you...to save our souls that we may forever be with Him. It's the same guy that has this ultra-complex four dimensional love. His name is Jesus.

No, it's true I don't always understand suffering.
But His love will always truly baffle me.

Yahweh, My Strength, My Knowledge

Did you know that whenever "LORD" shows up in the Old Testament, what's really being said or written is "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (same word, different pronunciation)? I don't know, I like referring to the Lord by His actual name from time to time, "Yahweh".

Outside of Yahweh, I seriously know absolutely nothing and I will fail continuously. No strength. No power. No wisdom. No knowledge. No life.

A Psalm by me

Yahweh, I don't know why, it's beyond me
Your love for me and my life is incomprehensible
Without You oh Lord, I know nothing
You calm the storm, You calm my soul
Dominate me oh God! I cannot go on alone!
You know my pathetic heart yet you love me
You've numbered every hair on my head.
You know my past, You know my present, You know my future
In the morning I cry to You oh Yahweh! Dominate me!
I long for Your plan over anything of my own
For You know all, For you have all Power
And I have all sin
But in You oh Lord my God, I have all of You
Hallelujah!

I Count All Things but Loss

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ."

-Philippians 3:7-8

Oh how I love the words of Paul, and for that matter the Word of the Lord. What is knowing Christ Jesus the Lord?

The words of Jesus in prayer to the Lord for Himself in the garden of Gethsemane:

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

-John 17:3

Let there be no debate or matter of opinion, eternal life: knowing the Lord!!

That does not start when you die. That starts right now!

It can't be put any better than this:

"For I am determined to know nothing among you except Christ, and Him crucified."

-I Corinthians 2:2

Knowing Christ, and knowing Him more and more, and being deep in your relationship with Him, above and beyond all else is all that matters.

Plead My Cause, Lord

Here it is, 2:00am and I really get into that thinking frame of mind.

Ever been in a position where you feel you really want something, but it just seems so far away sometimes. I don't know. I don't like to leave myself in a position feeling I need something so i just try to forget it. Really hard I try, and it's tough.

You know, whenever I find myself pleading unto the Lord, no matter what it is, I always come back to the reality that nothing will ever have meaning if it doesn't please the Lord. That doesn't nullify any request given to God, it simply is the acknowledgment that without Him behind it all, God's will can never be accomplished.

It's still really tough and not always comforting, I admit.

Sometimes, we just want something so much that we are so sure it is the best thing. "I mean seriously, in my mind, such and such a thing sounds perfectly amazing. It's got to, right? Since when has my mind failed me...?" Oh yea, I have no idea what I'm talking about. But boy oh boy, I feel that I do. But I don't. I simply don't.


Psalm 43:1-2 A Psalm of David.

1 Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?