Why do so many Christians get stuck on the idea that a “day” in the Genesis story is one revolution of the earth during annual orbit around the sun, or 24 hours?
According to the story, the first day of creation doesn’t even have the earth revolving between night and day at all!
Hence, it is obvious to me at least that the term “day” was used as a symbolism for one phase following another.
The genesis story wasn’t originally given to educated people. I believe that God used symbolism that was simple for them to understand.
In other words .... if a “day” is not a revolution of the earth or 24 hours, and indeed is a phase.....why can’t the total of six phases be 4.5 billion years?
The actual development phases in the Genesis story are very similar if not exactly alike what scientists have determined. ie: fiery ball, water world, land out of the water, waterlife first than land life etc.
It’s remarkable how close they are!
Because we read the bible.
Believe what you want. But you have to explain away why "...evening and morning were the nth day" does not mean a simple, 24 hour period.
And if you don't believe Genesis 1, then why bother with chapter 3 (original sin), Chapter 6 (the flood), Chapter 12 (Abraham), Genesis 46 (Israel goes into Egypt).
The Bible is either "The Word of God" (all of it) or it is not. If it "Contains" the word of God, as you suggest, then man must determine which part is and is not inspired truth. Man must also then force fit his understanding of scripture with current scientific theory.
BTW, science proves people dead 3 days don't come back to life, so will you re-explain that away with a swoon theory?
The Bible was not written as a scientific document and should not be used as one. Nowhere is the Bible is the age of the earth discussed or an age given. It has been deduced from the genesis record. I know what the genealogical records but I will wait until our Heavenly Father tells me directly how old the earth is/was/will be. Actually, I probably won’t care by that time.