Why are so many people saying that Genesis 1 and 2 are contradictory? The answer: They only read selected passages instead of reading the entire passage in context.
Genesis 1 explains:
1st day: God created light
2nd day: God created sky and water
3rd day: God created sea and land
4th day: God created sun, moon, and stars
5th day: God created fish and birds
6th day: God created animals and man and woman
7th day: God rested and was pleased
Many people think that in Genesis 2, when you read Genesis 2:7 and they skip to Genesis 2:9, that these two are sequencial. Well, they are, but "planting" is not "creating" trees. If you read the entire passage, you will see that God planted a Garden in Eden (Genesis 2:8), so to do this, he would of had to created plants before this. Also, people think that Genesis 2:7 and 2:19 are sequencial. They are also, but "forming" and "creating" are not the same in this context. If you read Genesis 2:19 it states, "So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one." This only shows that in the Garden of Eden, God formed animals that he had already created, so that they could be there with Adam, so that Adam would be able to name them. This has nothing to do with Adam being created before the animals or the plants.
In conclusion, Genesis 1 is the account of creation, while Genesis 2 is simply clarification of the first and more detailed. Many people get these two confused because they do not study in depth or read the whole passage. Some even read the verses people point out and say "Look! These are contradictory"
, when in truth, if the context is read, it is clear they are not.
Thank you for your time, and if you would like to ask me any further questions, email me.
Christ lives in me and God loves you,
Brianna