Big Bang vs. Genesis
Harmonizers of the "big bang theory" claim Genesis describes creation similarly, as ex nihilo, or "out of nothing." They argue God created the cosmos from nothing, citing Genesis 1:1. However, a closer translation reveals Genesis does not depict a big-bang-like event. The more precise translation and contextual reading show that a big-bang-style beginning is not part of the biblical narrative! So... What does Gen 1:1 say?
Translation Matters
Most English translations of Genesis 1:1 say, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." However, the Hebrew word בְּרֵאשִׁית (be'reshit) lacks a definite article, and the prefix (ב; bet) often indicates a temporal sense. A more accurate translation could be: "When at first."
Genesis 1:1 is often translated as "the heavens and the earth," but the more contextually accurate translation is "the skies and the land," refer to the sky and terrain of our world throughout the chapter. Therefore, the English version of Scripture’s first sentence should probably read, “When at first God created the skies and the land….” Rather than referring to the ex-nihilo “big bang” of the entire universe, Genesis 1:1 describes God beginning to organize the earthly environment that humans will inhabit.
The second verse supports this earth-focused creation: “When at first God created the skies and the land, the land was chaotic and vacant, with darkness over the deep,” and God hovered over the waters (Gen 1:1-2). Several elements—land, darkness, deep, and waters—already exist, indicating God works with preexisting materials.
Don’t misunderstand—Genesis does not deny God’s creation of the universe. Ancient readers, like us, assumed God created everything. The book of Jubilees, for instance, claims God made "the heavens, the earth, the waters, and spirits" on the first day.
A Spiritual Story
But what are the opening passages of Genesis really saying? For the biblical writers, God’s creation of everything was a given, but they tell a deeper story. Genesis 1 reveals how the Most High organized a world where humans could live in relationship with the Creator. God sets things in order, preparing a place for humanity. Doesn’t that resonate with us? Our world often feels chaotic and overwhelming, yet God is the one who brings order and peace to our lives. Genesis doesn’t offer a scientific account but a spiritual one, revealing a profound human purpose: with God, we are called to participate in His work through our creative labor, respecting the world and its gifts as His creation.
You can dig deeper into what Scripture says! Peel back layers of translations and modern misconceptions. . Our mission is to transport you back to the time of the biblical writers, revealing how they lived, how they understood the world, and how their words were often meant to be understood differently than we might today. You'll dive into the language, mindset, culture, and daily life of ancient Israel. This will transform your Bible reading into a rich experience, uncovering the deeper stories and meaning behind the text. Click here to enroll!
