On the issue of "did the earth or water exist before the week of creation?" Genesis 1:2 proves this just as much as it disproves it.
I don't know, but saying something was moving over the surfaces of the waters before God said, "Let there be", does sound to me that it is intended to have already been in existence at that point in time. (Though I do agree,
time may be undefined at that point, but I don't see how any could say it wasn't "before" "Let there be".
I understand why modern creationists want to conform to statements made by the scientific community.
Much to the criticism of evolutionists, that does not describe me. I hold the Bible first, and then try to conform science to the Bible. But, "conform" is probably not the correct word as much as observe that science does match the Bible.
Here's the issue I have with GC. My stance is that the beginning of the heavens and the earth is the beginning of creation week. Biblicaly, all of the evidence is on my side of the fence.
And I agree, the beginning of the heavens and the earth is the beginning of creation week.
But, I noticed you did not address God's definition of heaven and earth. To me, it was important that you address it. Maybe you accidentally skipped it rather than avoided it? Of particular interest is 2 Peter 3:7 speaking of the heavens and earth being reserved for fire.
Ellen White clearly defines what you and GC claim as false.
Infidel geologists claim that the world is very much older than the Bible record makes it. They reject the testimony of God’s Word because of those things which are to them evidences from the earth itself that it has existed tens of thousands of years. And many who profess to believe the Bible are at a loss to account for wonderful things which are found in the earth, with the view that Creation week was only seven literal days, and that the world is now only about six thousand years old. These, to free themselves from difficulties thrown in their way by infidel geologists, adopt the view that the six days of Creation were six vast, indefinite periods, and the day of God’s rest was another indefinite period; making senseless the fourth commandment of God’s holy law. Some eagerly receive this position; for it destroys the force of the fourth commandment, and they feel a freedom from its claims upon them. {BLJ 154.2}
I'm not sure. She says
world. Could be world as created life groaning. However she does say this earth and tens of thousands. Would that be science's definition of "earth" or God's definition of earth? Perhaps you'd like to expand on this from her writings. But, this world or earth being about 6,000 years old doesn't seem to match, which if I understood what you wrote correctly, 4,000?
Thus far in our country, we have the freedom of religion. If you wish to believe the Earth existed before the week of creation, fine. If you want to be a true SDA who looks upon scripture and SOP as foundational truth, you are in dire conflict. I would rather you reject this belief while holding to the Adventist faith or reject the faith completely. You are luke warm.
I'm not sure that was a wisely made statement.
Again, perhaps you could shed some light with further expansion from Ellen White on the age of the physical earth versus created life. Or somewhere else in the Bible. Genesis 1 does not support anything other than when life was created. Which again, is what the Bible involves itself with.
The first part of Genesis 1:16 answers this question without a hitch.
"And God made two great lights;"
Actually:
he-shall-become luminaries in·atmosphere-of the·heavens to·to-cseparate-of between the·day and· between the·night and·they-become for·signs and·for·appointments and·for·days and·years
Doesn't say "when". Actually speaks of separating and becoming signs.
(Stop relying on weak crutches to support your faith.)
What
weak crutches? Relying on what the Bible says?
Evolutionists have accused me of the same thing.
