Seems I have heard that create some where.
And I will refrain from comment on your “I make no claim of superiority” bit, again your posts speak for themselves, thankfully.
First, I don’t set the standard, God does. His Holy Bible is clear on ex nihilo creation, there is pre-Genesis matter being worked on. That doesn’t destroy the majesty, power and wonder of His creation. It just means it wasn’t, as recored in the Bible, ex nihilo.
Reading it again will help:
Here’s Genesis 1: http://bible.cc/genesis/1-1.htm and 2: http://bible.cc/genesis/1-2.htm
Young’s Literal Translation makes it clearest:
In the beginning of God’s preparing the heavens and the earth — the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,
That’s verse 1 and 2 from Young’s Literal. It is obvious now, no?
The Biblical text states clearly that the earth in its void/formless/empty state was there to be worked on already. It’s existance doesn’t undermine the power, authority or majesty of God.
His first act is contained in Gen. 1:3. He tames chaos/disorder by immediately declaring light. There are a lot of great scientific attributes of light that make this beginning so amazing. There are also wonderful religious metaphors for light, not the least of which is joy.
So enjoy yourself, God and His Holy Word.
Somewhere, there are 37 angels trying to crowd their way onto an already over-filled pinhead...