What to Make of It

[dannoboone]

"and the world was without form..."

"and the world was laid waste.."

Two exerpts from the book of Genesis, the first Hebrew
to English and the second Hebrew to Aramaic to English.
Neither conflicts with the other, since a world without
form could very well be laid waste and visa versa.
However, many Creationists would have one believe there
was nothing to see in the beginning.

What say you?

[ET]

Dannoboone

Good question. The first verse found in the bible is: In the beginning God created heavens and the earth.
One meaning for create is “bring into being”. This would lead me to believe there was nothing but emptiness to begin with.

[alexcray]

Mar 15, 2021 18:09:39 GMT -5 ET said:

Dannoboone

Good question. The first verse found in the bible is: In the beginning God created heavens and the earth.
One meaning for create is “bring into being”. This would lead me to believe there was nothing but emptiness to begin with.


You raise an interesting point about the two contrasting descriptions of the Earth's initial state in Genesis 1:2. As you mentioned, neither description inherently contradicts the other. The Hebrew terms used can be interpreted in various ways, leading to different understandings of the initial state.

[alexcray]

Mar 15, 2021 13:57:11 GMT -5 dannoboone said:

"and the world was without form..."

"and the world was laid waste.."

Two exerpts from the book of Genesis, the first Hebrew
to English and the second Hebrew to Aramaic to English.
Neither conflicts with the other, since a world without
form could very well be laid waste and visa versa.
However, many Creationists would have one believe there
was nothing to see in the beginning.

What say you?

"Without form... could very well be laid waste": This interpretation implies a pre-existing void or chaos that God brings order to. It aligns with some theological interpretations of Genesis and aligns with the Hebrew word "tohu wa-bohu," which can be translated as "formless and void."

[dannoboone]

This has made me wonder ever since 1962 when confronted with
Darwin's theory of evolution, Origin of Species, when I was
in 7th grade. Prior to that, hadn't thought about what came
before Creation. Taken literally, there was just a blank
universe other than Heaven, possibly the angels and a
totally messed up planet. I just cannot fathom God existing
throughout all passed eternity in a universe void of
anything.

Not advocating there ever was any truth in Darwin's theory.
There are so many holes in his explanation to do anything
about it but to totally dismiss it.

[lbahunter]

Feb 6, 2024 11:50:16 GMT -5 dannoboone said:

This has made me wonder ever since 1962 when confronted with
Darwin's theory of evolution, Origin of Species, when I was
in 7th grade. Prior to that, hadn't thought about what came
before Creation. Taken literally, there was just a blank
universe other than Heaven, possibly the angels and a
totally messed up planet. I just cannot fathom God existing
throughout all passed eternity in a universe void of
anything.

Not advocating there ever was any truth in Darwin's theory.
There are so many holes in his explanation to do anything
about it but to totally dismiss it.

You can't wrap your mind around God. He's to BIG!!