You are not logged in.
Genesis 2: A Second Creation Account? <BR> <BR>Randall W. Younker <BR>Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Andrews University <BR> <BR>Author, God's Creation: Exploring the Genesis Story <BR> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.educatetruth.com/articles/genesis-2-a-second-creation-account/" target=_top>http://www.educatetruth.com/articles/genesis-2-a-s econd-creation-account/</a> <BR> <BR>Excerpt of article: <BR> <BR><blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>Bridge. Thus, rather than contradicting chapter 1, these early verses in chapter 2 actually serve as a bridge between the perfect Creation of chapter 1 and the introduction of sin into the world in chapter 3. Genesis 2:4b-6 essentially asks the ancient Hebrews how these four undesirable elements of their lives—the need to deal with thorny plants, the annual uncertainty and hard work of the grain crop, the need to undertake the physically demanding plowing of the ground, and the dependence on the uncertain, but essential, life-giving rain—came to be part of humanity’s lot. <BR> <BR>After posing this vexing question, beginning in 2:7 the text proceeds to answer it by recapping in more detail the creation of the man whose sin would result in the four things that were not yet. The remainder of chapter 2 thus leads naturally and directly into chapter 3, which describes the Fall and explains exactly how things got the way they are now. This account continues right through to the Flood story.5 <BR> <BR>The alleged contradictions between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2:4b-7 do not demonstrate different authors for these chapters, for in fact the passages do not conflict. These verses actually tend to support the unified and integrated nature of the early chapters of Genesis.6 <BR> <BR><!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>
Offline
There are some interesting comparisons: <BR> <BR>In Genesis one, the animals are spoken into existance, in Genesis 2, they are formed from the ground (not just man). <BR> <BR>In Genesis one, creation of plants seems to be lush and obvious; in Genesis two, the plants seem to have begun as seeds waiting to grow. <BR> <BR>These differences don't lead me to view the accounts in opposition to each other, but they are interesting, thought-provoking. <BR> <BR>Another interesting aspect to Genesis 2 is the listing of the rivers. We view the worldwide flood to be a major, major catastrophe. This huge event would have wiped out any "river" geography, wouldn't it? Did the writer of Genesis view the flood on such a devastating scale? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Don on September 26, 2009)
Offline
Do the different accounts give the same day on which Adam and plants were created?
Offline
Nor does the story in Gen. 2 mention the 7th day as God resting. It seems that the account in Gen. 1 was given to impress upon the Israelites that the 7th day was God's rest day--nothing about man's. <BR> <BR>Not until the Decalogue was given, several millennia later, did it hearken back to the Creation story. However, both the Creation story and that of the Decalogue were created at appoximately the same time: 6th or 5th century B.C. Had the 7th day been of ultimate importance, why is there absolutely no mention of it until the Exodus? None of the patriarchs prior to that time are ever mentioned observing a worship day. Most of that time they were practicing polytheism.
Offline
<b><font color="0000ff">Do the different accounts</font></b> <BR> <BR>I don't think it is correct to view Genesis 1 and 2 as "different accounts". Genesis 2 offers limited information. It seems to deal mostly with Day 6 of Genesis, except for the first three verses which tell how the Sabbath came about (seemes to be the last part of the creation story of Genesis 1). <BR> <BR>(Genesis 2 fails to mention light, atmosphere, sun, moon, stars, birds, and fish.) <BR> <BR><b><font color="0000ff">Had the 7th day been of ultimate importance, why is there absolutely no mention of it until the Exodus?</font></b> <BR> <BR>Notice the use of the term, "ultimate". The Bible teaches the importance of the Sabbath as part of life. Adventists understand the Sabbath to be an important part of last day events. The lack of mention of the Sabbath between Creation and Exodus provides no useful information except that the author did not mention the Sabbath between those two parts of the story. <BR> <BR>Elaine, you argue using the silence of the text. This is a useful practice to bolster a view without any real evidence. eg. Why didn't they do this? If it were so important, wouldn't they have said something? <BR> <BR>This kind of questioning can be done to support any side of the discussion. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Don on September 26, 2009)
Offline