Hi Jon,
Jon writes:
Okay, so let's start with an easy one. In the first story God makes all the animals first (over two separate days) and then makes man
and woman together afterwards. In the second story YHWH the bumbling idiot makes man, can't figure out what companion he would prefer and is thus prompted to create and introduce to him every creature on earth; realizing that man wants nothing to do with puppy dogs and armadillos, he makes woman as a companion.
That's only one of the contradictions. After having our say on this one, we can move on to others.
Jon let me make some statements to begin with.
I believe in a literal interpretation of the Hebrew text.
I believe there are two different stories in Genesis chapter 1 and 2.
I believe in a literal 3 creation events in the 2 chapters.
The first creation event was in Genesis 1:1 and many things took place and began to exist in that day. Day meaning light period as defined by God in Genesis 1:5, when He called the light day.
The second creation event took place in Genesis 1:21 when God created the sea creature to swallow Jonah.
The third creation event took place in Genesis 1:27 when God created mankind male and female.
The story in chapter 1 verse 2 through chapter 2 verse 3 is not connected to verse 1.
Genesis 2:4 says:
quote:
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
Since I believe in a literal translation the events that follow this verse must take place in the same day the heavens and the earth began to exist.
Under your first account you have God creating all the animals.
That is incorrect as He only created a specific creature. Everything else was called forth in the verses you mentioned from the water.
Notice in 1:21 the winged fowl was called forth from the water.
In Genesis 2:19 the fowl of the air was formed from the the ground.
On the next day (sixth day) God called forth a lot of creatures from the from the earth after their kind.
Why did you separate man and woman being created under your first account?
God created mankind male and female in Genesis 1:27.
Under account 2 you have man created which the text nowhere says he was created. It says he was formed from the dust of the ground.
This man was formed from the dust of the ground and became a living being before any other life form was formed.
Under account 2 you have animals created which the text nowhere says they were created. It says they were formed out of the ground.
The animals and fowl as well as many other creatures was formed from the ground. Genesis 2:19.
Under account 2 you have YHWH creating woman in Genesis 2:21-22. The text nowhere says the woman was created. It says YHWH took a rib from man and formed (cloned) a woman from that rib.
So actually you have not presented a contradiction. You have only presented evidence that Genesis chapter 1 and chapter 2 are two different stories of 2 completely different events taking place.
God Bless,
"John 5:39 (KJS) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."