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When Was The Universe Created?

Earthling

David Henson
The Bible doesn't say. At Genesis 1:1 the heavens and earth were complete, and after an apparent pause for an indeterminate period of time the 6 creative "days" or epochs, each also taking an indeterminate period of time were complete. The seventh day, one of rest, which began after the end of the sixth day, continues on to this day thousands of years later. (Genesis 2:1-3 / Hebrews 4:3-11)
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
The Bible doesn't say. At Genesis 1:1 the heavens and earth were complete, and after an apparent pause for an indeterminate period of time the 6 creative "days" or epochs, each also taking an indeterminate period of time were complete. The seventh day, one of rest, which began after the end of the sixth day, continues on to this day thousands of years later. (Genesis 2:1-3 / Hebrews 4:3-11)
Its not a science text. Just read by folks who think that way
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
The Bible doesn't say. At Genesis 1:1 the heavens and earth were complete, and after an apparent pause for an indeterminate period of time the 6 creative "days" or epochs, each also taking an indeterminate period of time were complete. The seventh day, one of rest, which began after the end of the sixth day, continues on to this day thousands of years later. (Genesis 2:1-3 / Hebrews 4:3-11)
It has always been in one form or another.
 

WalterTrull

Godfella
The Bible doesn't say. At Genesis 1:1 the heavens and earth were complete, and after an apparent pause for an indeterminate period of time the 6 creative "days" or epochs, each also taking an indeterminate period of time were complete. The seventh day, one of rest, which began after the end of the sixth day, continues on to this day thousands of years later. (Genesis 2:1-3 / Hebrews 4:3-11)
Jeesh. You guys!
Genesis is not about time. It's about structure.
 

blü 2

Veteran Member
Premium Member
The Bible doesn't say. At Genesis 1:1 the heavens and earth were complete, and after an apparent pause for an indeterminate period of time the 6 creative "days" or epochs, each also taking an indeterminate period of time were complete.
Genesis 1 both describes and specifies a literal day eg (1:8) 'And there was morning, and there was evening, a second day'.

For both storyteller and audience, a god of the Bronze Age would need only a single 24-hour day for each step in Creation, surely?
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
Is that a metaphysical concept?
Must be metaphysical since there is no scientific way to prove it. In this case I agree with Donald Crosby about the metaphysics of our world. There is no reason to believe the universe was never present in one form or another.
 

Earthling

David Henson
Jeesh. You guys!
Genesis is not about time. It's about structure.

Explain?

I would agree that Genesis isn't exclusively about time, but there are elements of time within it. Given the material is primarily concerned with the creation of the universe and it's preparation for being inhabited, at least, at this point.
 

Earthling

David Henson
Must be metaphysical since there is no scientific way to prove it. In this case I agree with Donald Crosby about the metaphysics of our world. There is no reason to believe the universe was never present in one form or another.

That's a bit difficult to say, isn't it? There is no reason to believe the universe was never present in one form or another. How does one establish that?
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
Explain?

I would agree that Genesis isn't exclusively about time, but there are elements of time within it. Given the material is primarily concerned with the creation of the universe and it's preparation for being inhabited, at least, at this point.
After years of consideration I cannot see Genesis as anything but a story to teach the values of those who developed the Jewish faith. It is much more effective as a myth to tell the followers to not stray from the Jewish religion or seek out knowledge beyond the faith or you will be cast out. This is the message that I see as important not to explain the universe. Myth is powerful as is the myths from other religions. If accepted as myth to teach the followers then the message is important. To explain the universe it loses its meaning. That is my take on the subject.
 

Earthling

David Henson
Genesis 1 both describes and specifies a literal day eg (1:8) 'And there was morning, and there was evening, a second day'.

For both storyteller and audience, a god of the Bronze Age would need only a single 24-hour day for each step in Creation, surely?

The term day, whether in English or the original ancient Hebrew, can mean any period of time from a few hours to an indeterminate greater period of time. The term is used 3 different ways in the creation account, 1 meaning the daylight hours, 2 meaning a literal 24 hour period (though used in a figurative sense, i.e. the morning and the evening, constituting only half a literal day minus the afternoon and night, these periods were times in which the angels witnessing the creation were either able to see what was unfolding or not) and 3 a period of time within a given narrative, i.e. "the days of creation." An example of of this today would be something like "I worked the day shift 5 days a week in those days."

As I mentioned, the seventh day continues to this day. David, and then Paul wrote about it continuing.
 
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Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
That's a bit difficult to say, isn't it? There is no reason to believe the universe was never present in one form or another. How does one establish that?
You are right it is difficult to say. There is no way at this time we can establish it one way or another which makes it in the realm of metaphysics at this time. I have decided to accept that the universe is never ending and that is my view on the subject. I cannot prove one way or the other but I do appreciate the question you present.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Don't you just love "Have you quit beating your wife yet?" questions? The title question has a built in unjustified assumption . One cannot properly answer that type of question as asked.
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
The term day, whether in English or the original ancient Hebrew, can mean any period of time from a few hours to an indeterminate greater period of time. The term is used 3 different ways in the creation account, 1 meaning the daylight hours, 2 meaning a literal 24 hour period (though used in a figurative sense, i.e. the morning and the evening, constituting only half a literal day minus the afternoon and night, these periods were times in which either the angels witnessing the creation were either able to see what was unfolding or not) and 3 a period of time within a given narrative, i.e. "the days of creation." An example of of this today would be something like "I worked the day shift 5 days a week in those days."

As I mentioned, the seventh day continues to this day. David, and then Paul wrote about it continuing.
The term day in the bible could have symbolic meaning, that is true so it does not necessary mean a true day in our time. I would agree with you in that. I again just think that genesis is more powerful as a myth to teach about faith than to apply to the natural world. That is how I see things but your presentation that it is symbolic and could be representative of a different time scale is a possibility. We should always relook at what we believe with a new view to lean.
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Our Universe began about 13.8 billion years ago. The beginning of our physical existence is unknown.

Genesis is ancient mythology compiled, redacted and edited from older mythology texts, and oral legends going back to at least 1600 BCE in Sumerian texts.
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Explain?

I would agree that Genesis isn't exclusively about time, but there are elements of time within it. Given the material is primarily concerned with the creation of the universe and it's preparation for being inhabited, at least, at this point.
"Given the material is primarily concerned with the creation of the universe"

Absolutely false.
The story has zero to do with the creation of nature at all. I would say in a movie form the creation story is merely the opening credits and nothing more. Infact it has got to be one of the most boring unimaginative creation stories of all time. Like it is merely put in to let everyone know what the story is really about.

Now if one doesnt understand that well....they are confused. .
 

Earthling

David Henson
Our Universe began about 13.8 billion years ago. The beginning of our physical existence is unknown.

Genesis is ancient mythology compiled, redacted and edited from older mythology texts, and oral legends going back to at least 1600 BCE in Sumerian texts.

I think that knob on your neck is stuck on the same answer for everything.
 
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