WindowView — TimeLine
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Table 4:
Comparison of Major Genesis Day Events as Appears in the Hebrew Text of Genesis One and as |
The English translation of the Hebrew text given here is from the New King James Version.
Points listed for Dr. Ross are only select key points gleaned from his book entitled: The Genesis Question. The points listed under Dr. Schroeder are similarly selected from his book, The Science of God, but in both cases we encourage your serious reading of each of these books for greater detail as provided by these sources. Your exploration of their work will certainly enhance and further validate the points we are illustrating here. Also, these two authors and others on our book list offer additional titles that add to this presentation.
The focus of the table below is primarily to illustrate that multiple views identify a harmony between the Genesis One description of creation and the information that science now provides us. Two perspectives, scriptural and scientific, both reveal a unified story line... in spite of different terminology and means of observation. No other ancient text fits the scientific information as does Genesis One. So, read each column of information to develop a comprehensive view to understand the events of each biblical creation day.
Day |
Hebrew Text (Genesis 1) |
Window View General Notes |
Dr. Ross |
Dr. Schroeder |
One |
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and
the earth. |
a) earth not yet formed b) light appears c) formation of matter leading to primordial clouds of condensing hydrogen and helium, and later stars, early galaxies, planets d) God delineates between light and dark distinguishing a link between light and day from dark and night e) a reading of Dr. Schroeder's writings indicate the Hebrew really ends here with the words: 'day one.' This is a distinct difference from how all other creation days are recognized. Day one, this wording, suggests there were no other days before to which a day can be compared. There was no time prior to the first day. |
Dr. Ross starts with the concept of a forming universe and considers his points with respect to the earth:1) appearance of light2) light penetrates to earth’s surface3) earth’s atmosphere changes from opaque to translucent (but not yet transparent) Dr. Ross indicates the Hebrew wording of Genesis 1 makes room for long creation days |
1) Starts about 15.75 BYA; Big Bang a) Dr. Schroeder's calculation reveals, through relativity, that six 24 hour creation days contain all the ''ages'' of the universe. b) the Hebrew for day in the Genesis 1 text can thus mean 'day' without stretching the meaning (other than the concept that each 24 hr day can include relative time within it).c) the reference to ''evening and morning'' has a parallel, both to periods defining a day, but also within the meaning of these words is the concept of chaos being brought to order (more order comes with each creation day). The increasing order goes opposite the tendency toward disorder as is understood by thermodynamics.(See Dr. Schroeder's article on the Big Bang)2) Think of the perspective of one at the center of the universe. From the initiation of the creation event, to the end of the 6th day, there are six 24 hour days... at this central point in the universe. But to those at other points in the expanding universe there are longer time frames. In our case and from an earthly perspective, this makes for some 15 billion years to the present time. The universe has expanded from the beginning to now over 1,000,000,000,000 times. 3) Plasma of the young universe expands and cools to a point where light is released, thus a separation of light from dark. |
Two |
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the
midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. |
a) 'firmament' in the Hebrew refers to either as a solid surface or expanse; waters literally indicates water. There is a clear structuring of the universe and a separation of the content (waters) into distinct parts b) if firmament implies formed solid structures then the form (solidification) of the earth may be advancing |
1) water cycle begins (condensation and precipitation)2) formation of dome or sky above the earth 3) waters separated into that in the atmosphere from that in the ocean (i.e., both being part of the water cycle) |
1) Starts about 7.75 BYA 2) the firmament of the heavens, the canopy of stars 'divides' - the stars gather to form galaxies; the Milky Way forms |
Three |
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven
be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and
it was so. |
a) water (ocean) in one place leaves land to emerge as a single feature in one contiguous area (this is consistent with geologic evidence for a land mass (i.e., pangea) that later split into separate continents)b) grass may be simpler sea vegetation or more complex forms in either sea or on land. The text is not specific. But seed and fruit would imply to a modern botanist that plants included some level of sophistication in transferring genetic information and this would be important for survival of plants upon (dry) earth c) the earth brought forth... text appears to indicate an involvement between the will of the Creator and the ability of the created earth to give rise to plant life d) unique species of organisms maintained their identity generation to life generation (seed produced reproduced like ['his kind']organisms in next generation) |
1) water gathered in one place; dry land appears as a conglomerate in one locale (e.g., pangea)2) production of plants; (Ross explains the Hebrew wording allows for appearance of primitive forms and thus we can conclude advanced plant forms follow over time) 3) Ross indicates God's divine intervention may be involved in the creation of plants and that the extent to which natural processes were involved is open for further study |
1) Starts about 3.75 BYA2) Water and first life on earth Here we see oceans, dry land, and liquid water 3) Life appears almost as quickly as the water forms on the earth; Bacteria and algae fossils date back to this creation day. 4) Dr. Schroeder notes that the word creation is not used for this day-instead the earth brings forth life. The design is 'tuned' for life without a special creation. He also speculates that there may be a reason for leaving this word out at this point (e.g. perhaps something like 'catalysts' facilitated the appearance of life. And this would leave open the question of who or what put the catalysts in place!). |
Four |
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament
of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for
signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: |
a) firmament appears to refer to expanse of space and not a solid surface... the light sources (sun, moon, stars) function in determining not only days and nights, but also seasons and distinct periods of calendar time b) the role for sun and moon light is described c) note 'made' at this point is an active verb and can be understood in parallel with the creation of stars and heavenly bodies that appear during day one. The emphasis here may simply be the assignment of light from made bodies (sun and moon) for the purpose of this day, that is, to delineate day from night and the distinct role of sun and moon. The idea that plants were made before the existence of sun and moon is not necessarily implied and is sometimes a source of confusion to first time readers of Genesis 1; there is therefore no contradiction here with science. |
1) atmosphere goes from translucent to transparent (earthbound observer could now see lights in the heavens) 2) earth planetary conditions stabilize, plant photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide, volcanic activity decreases3) plate tectonics separates continents4) sun, moon, and stars now distinctly visible from an earth bound perspective; making for distinct earth day and night 5) Ross discussion considers that moon may not have appeared until this day in the sequence but also notes a parallel to day one creation and the fulfillment here for sun and moon as light sources on day four |
1) Starts about 1.75 BYA2) Transparent atmosphere allows sun light to the Earth's surface (various sources cited by Dr. Schroeder suggest the sun was created back on day two with other stars, but is made visible and shows through the atmosphere on day four) . |
Five |
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly
the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the
earth in the open firmament of heaven. |
a) sea and air now domains with early animal life forms. A reading of Ross and Schroeder helps to refine one's understanding of the original Hebrew terms used here and the way these are translated to English. A word study of the Hebrew offers much more than a straight reading of the English as presented to the left! b) the original created life forms go through a multi-generational amplification of numbers of individuals... filling the sea and air. This prepares the way for creation of a unique man and woman among all life forms. |
1) life forms (animal) now appear in water and sky. Primitive life and exactly what forms are meant here require an examination of the Hebrew words used (see Ross' discussion for details).2) Ross indicates dinosaurs appear to fit within this day (250 to 65 MYA); Schroeder gives greater detail on dinosaurs, but note the difference in time frames 3) 'soulish' creatures created; self-aware and capable of emotions and self will. |
1) Starts about 0.75 BYA2) First animals, aquatic explosion of life forms3) Creation of animals with 'nefesh' or soul of animal life. 4) Life swarms - explodes into appearance - as it is created on this day. This time frame fits the occurrence of life that appears with what is called the Cambrian Explosion (See related articles: a) by Dr. Schroeder, b) WindowView feature)
|
Six |
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the
living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast
of the earth after his kind: and it was so. |
a) land animals come forth b) Adam and Eve created c) man is set as steward of all living things on earth d) man made in God's image e) God's blessing for all life to multiply and for man to have dominion over all life upon earth f) man is to be sustained by eating of fruit (herb, vegetable) and animal (meat) |
1) creation of specific land mammals 2) Adam (moral awareness, concern for life and after life, propensity to worship, consciousness of self, drive to know) |
1) Starts about 0.25 BYA2) about 250 MYA life was decimated by a massive extinction event killing approximately 90% of all species; the Earth is again repopulated...3) Land animals, mammals, humans now 'neshama' or the soul and spirit of man appears and this distinguishes humans (starting with Adam and Eve specifically) from all other life. Other hominid species would differ in this respect and would have existed with out neshama (which God breathed into Adam... see Genesis 2:7).4) Dr. Schroeder suggests that the 24 hour days we know are locked in and become the normal daily cycle just as Adam and Eve enter the scene. 5) Day 6 may not yet be ended, meaning that at present Day 7 is yet to begin. |
You are here! |
The present day can be viewed differently as indicated by the two authors compared at the right! |
Many scientists agree the universe and planet Earth are 'fine tuned' for life. This tuning was built into the very nature of the initial creation events. This observation and the increasing interest in illustrating the presence of 'intelligent design' are key to seeing the clearly significant nature of the biblical creation account. In fact, the simple order in which events occur in the Hebrew text are entirely consistent with scientific findings. Ross moves directly from day six to seven; this would place the present day within the seventh day as God rests. |
Time to present: 14.75 Billion years plus 5,761 years (i.e., current Hebrew calendar year); Schroeder indicates we are likely living within and near the end of the sixth day’s time fame. |
Seven |
Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were
finished, and all the host of them. |
a) Perhaps a study of the Hebrew helps to reveal a more exacting meaning of this portion of text. But clearly, the God of Israel makes His presence known (a clear presence within the physical domain; manifested in a number of ways in the biblical text to follow; this requires an active role not a complete state of rest). This leaves open discussion on any activity in recent history as falling within the sixth or seventh day. b) considering Psalm 90:4; the seventh day might be 1,000 years (See Millennial Kingdom on the main Time line) |
1) Day six ends with the creation of Adam and Eve. We are now in day seven. |
1) This day yet to come. |
References: - click panel tab below to see more ...
- Various sources were used to develop this time line. Where possible dates are cross checked or events are placed in relative position. Many of the dates used above come from the following references:
- Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Th.M., Ph.D.1982. Footsteps of Messiah - A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events. (Fruchtenbaum)
- Ayers, Ed. 1999. God's Last Offer - Negotiating for a Sustainable Future. (A)
- Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G., Th.M., Ph.D.1982. Footsteps of Messiah - A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events. (Fruchtenbaum) (New edition 2003)
- Graham, Billy. 1992. Storm Warning. Published by: W Publishing Group (formerly Word Publishing)
- Grun, Bernard. 1991. The Timetables of History - A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events. New Third Revised Edition. Based on Werner Stein's Kulturfahrplan. A Touchstone Book:New York. (G)
- Ice, T., and R. Price. 1989. Ready to Rebuild — The Imminent Plant to Rebuild the Last Days Temple. (IP)
- Infoplease.com (Info) https://www.infoplease.com/
- H. Lindsey. 1973. There's A New World Coming. Bantam Books. (Lindsey)
- Randall Price. 2001 Unholy War. (P)
- Dr. G. Schroeder with Z. Levitt. Genesis One. Levitt Ministries (see note in graphic box at top of this table for details).
- SciNews: Science News is a science news weekly generally obtained by subscription, also see: https://www.sciencenews.org/
- Web (Internet): Occasionally we find what appear as reliable, but formally unpublished, sources on the Internet. As such these entries remain to be fully confirmed. In many cases this information is found to agree with the remainder of the timeline and the published sources used here.
- Zondervan Corporation. 1985. The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan Bible Publishers:Grand Rapids.
For a general listing of books, visit the WindowView Book Page for: Science and Scripture .
