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CHAPTER ONE
THE ORIGIN OF GENESIS
THE DATE OF THE CREATION EVENT
The first three words of the English translation of Genesis 1:1 are "In the beginning."
This is the only reference to the time of the creation event, and nowhere in the Bible is the
date of the Biblical Creation recorded. This has not, however, prevented people from
attempting to calculate it.
Perhaps the most famous attempt to determine the date of the Biblical Creation was
in the 1650's when Archbishop Ussher of Canterbury calculated the date to be 4004 B.C.5 This
was accomplished by using the Biblical ages of the early humans, and the genealogy that was
recorded. The theory assumes the absence of gaps in the genealogy of the Bible, something
that many scholars question. Although this date is seldom accepted as being conclusive, many
people today still embrace Archbishop Ussher's calculation as fact.
OUR METHODS AND ANALYSIS
There have been countless attempts through the centuries to postulate theories
and propose solutions for the many mysteries of the Bible. However, it is best that we
begin our endeavor with a commitment to assume nothing. We will examine the evidence for
ourselves to determine the date of creation. We will thoroughly address the events of
all of the Creation Days, without any inclination to accept preconceived notions. Only
the facts can satisfy our probing curiosities. We will refer to the original Hebrew text
when discrepancies occur, to determine the best translation. We will also reference other
attempts to interpret the Creation Story, deciding which concepts we can embrace and which
can be disregarded.
This attention to detail and precise translation is required for our scientific
analysis. Science demands it, the people expect it, and God and the Bible deserves it.
Before we begin our analysis, we need to address our expectations. The purpose
of the Creation Story was not to record every species of plant and animal life that has
ever existed, nor was it meant to describe all of the physical processes that have ever
influenced our world. The Creation Story is a concise, chronological listing of the
highlights of the creation of the universe, the planet Earth, and the life that resides
here - culminating in the creation of man, and God's instructions to him. Essentially,
the Bible is a collection of religious and historical documents. Although we may gain
and infer scientific knowledge from its precious words, the Bible should not be expected
to read like a scientific textbook.
NOTE:
5. Powel Mills Dawley, "Ussher, James", The Encyclopedia Americana, International
Edition, 1997, Vol.27, p.822
(These are selected paragraphs within this chapter. This is not the entire chapter.)
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