Geological Era Theory
1. Briefly define and describe each of the creation theories put forth by Richter. Which do you think is the best interpretation of Genesis 1-3? Why?
The first theory is the gap theory (p 95-96). This theory states that between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, Satan and a third of the angels have fallen. In Genesis 1:1, God has already created something and then right after it there is the gap where Satan destroys it after falling, and God is forced to recreate it which we see in Genesis 1:2. This also relates to Noah’s story and the flood in which God destroys evil and wicked. The next theory is the geological era theory (p 96-98). The geological era theory states that instead of six days of creation, it is actually six eras that span for an unspecified amount of time. This is due to the Hebrew word for day, Yom, is a very loose term in which can be used to communicate an undetermined span of time. The span of time is sometimes thought to be longer than just a day. The third theory, the literal theory, talks about how the most commonly accepted idea of creation is the six, twenty-four-hour-days (p 98-99). Richter suggests that behind this is a form of poetry in which the author is suggesting something behind the …show more content…
story. For example, the sixth day saw almost double the amount than the previous and the seventh day has a lot of significance because it is the number seven and also it shifts focus from the creation to the creator. The final theory is the framework theory (p 99-100). This theory essentially states that each day is a highlight of each day that encompasses everything into one simple idea. She compares it to a picture album of a trip. While you may have taken hundreds of pictures, only a few made it that shows the best of each item. The best interpretation in my opinion is the literal theory because it gives the most accurate proposition in my opinion. Although the rest are great, to me they sound more like opinions and not hard facts. We take a lot of the stories literal so why wouldn’t we the creation story. The literal theory seems the best interpretation because it al so very basic. While everything is assumed, this theory seems the simplest to me. It does not require a lot of theory.
2. What is the importance of properly understanding the Fall? (Use NT examples where necessary)
The importance of properly understanding the Fall is that the Fall is the original reason Jesus had to come and save us.
When Adam sinned and the Fall occurred, God’s original intent for man was lost. We were no longer able to dwell in his presence and be identified as his creation (p 115). It made us broken and separate from Him. Without properly understanding the Fall, there is no reason to know and understand Jesus’ coming and dying on the cross for us. He came and died a horrible death in our place because of the Fall. Knowing it helps us to understand God’s plan for redemption. In Romans 5 it talks about there being a second Adam and how he would come and save us. It took one man to separate us eternally from God, and it would take one man to save
us.
The first theory is the gap theory (p 95-96). This theory states that between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, Satan and a third of the angels have fallen. In Genesis 1:1, God has already created something and then right after it there is the gap where Satan destroys it after falling, and God is forced to recreate it which we see in Genesis 1:2. This also relates to Noah’s story and the flood in which God destroys evil and wicked. The next theory is the geological era theory (p 96-98). The geological era theory states that instead of six days of creation, it is actually six eras that span for an unspecified amount of time. This is due to the Hebrew word for day, Yom, is a very loose term in which can be used to communicate an undetermined span of time. The span of time is sometimes thought to be longer than just a day. The third theory, the literal theory, talks about how the most commonly accepted idea of creation is the six, twenty-four-hour-days (p 98-99). Richter suggests that behind this is a form of poetry in which the author is suggesting something behind the …show more content…
story. For example, the sixth day saw almost double the amount than the previous and the seventh day has a lot of significance because it is the number seven and also it shifts focus from the creation to the creator. The final theory is the framework theory (p 99-100). This theory essentially states that each day is a highlight of each day that encompasses everything into one simple idea. She compares it to a picture album of a trip. While you may have taken hundreds of pictures, only a few made it that shows the best of each item. The best interpretation in my opinion is the literal theory because it gives the most accurate proposition in my opinion. Although the rest are great, to me they sound more like opinions and not hard facts. We take a lot of the stories literal so why wouldn’t we the creation story. The literal theory seems the best interpretation because it al so very basic. While everything is assumed, this theory seems the simplest to me. It does not require a lot of theory.
2. What is the importance of properly understanding the Fall? (Use NT examples where necessary)
The importance of properly understanding the Fall is that the Fall is the original reason Jesus had to come and save us.
When Adam sinned and the Fall occurred, God’s original intent for man was lost. We were no longer able to dwell in his presence and be identified as his creation (p 115). It made us broken and separate from Him. Without properly understanding the Fall, there is no reason to know and understand Jesus’ coming and dying on the cross for us. He came and died a horrible death in our place because of the Fall. Knowing it helps us to understand God’s plan for redemption. In Romans 5 it talks about there being a second Adam and how he would come and save us. It took one man to separate us eternally from God, and it would take one man to save
us.