what do you do with 2:4, and chapter 5? Compare how the author wrote the other parts and then compare that with verse 1. No use inferring what is not there.
Genesis 2:4 and onward is going over the same history again, as chapter one, adding a few more details.
Genesis five recounts the creation, then gives the genealogy of Adam's descendants.
If you have access to the SDA commentary, read it what it says for verse 1 about the false ruin and restoration theory and the 2 statements the verse makes and questions we can answer; and verse 2, and the additional note at the end of the chapter. Anything else is wild speculation.
How does what they are cautioning against compare or not compare with what you're suggesting?
Many, many years ago, I turned to the SDA Bible Commentary in a study of Daniel and the Sanctuary Doctrine. I found the commentary utterly confusing. No wonder Ford was so successful in denouncing the sanctuary doctrine. Thankfully, others showed better understanding and greatly helped me see the truth.
But I've never felt much confidence in the commentary since.
But back to the subject at hand --
The SDA commentary's "ruin and restore" theory is very different from what I have been presenting.
And no, I do not believe in THEIR theory.
I do not believe that God created an imperfect world, doing a poor job and it all fell apart due to catastrophic forces of nature over which God had no control.
In fact what I believe is the very OPPOSITE.
I believe God created a perfect universe in which catastrophic destruction was
NOT occurring. So why would I even suggest the earth suffered ruin by natural catastrophic forces prior to the six days of creation?????
That's definitely NOT what I'm presenting.
Rather it's those that deny that a war waged by a very rebellious, powerful host of fallen angels, led by Satan,
caused the catastrophic events we now view in the universe, who are the ones thinking God created an imperfect universe filled with catastrophic happenings.
Nor do I deny that God "spoke and it was done"!
Everything that was, He spoke into existence, including this earth and the whole solar system. Just because the actual earth was spoken into existence prior to the six days, does not deny the truth that it was spoken into existence.
However -- I believe it was spoken into existence in a perfect state, it was not "without form and void", but ready for God to create life upon it.
The destructive forces that have caused ruin are the result of sin. The sin and rebellion of fallen angels have left their mark on the universe, and the sin and rebellion of fallen humans are even now destroying the earth.
As far as anything being beyond God's control. That's also VERY false. EGW plainly tells us God ALLOWED the demonstration of strength against strength so the character of the rebellious angels would be manifest for all to see.
But then satan and his angels were restricted. They are no match for the power God!!!
Reading the rest of the chapter, you know it wasn't perfect. He kept on creating. You have to start somewhere.
No, God didn't have to start with an imperfect world.
I fully believe He speaks and perfection emerges.
But yes -- the Bible does show God started with an imperfect earth that was "without form, void", and "dark".
Why?
No -- it was not due to some "natural" catastrophic event over which God had no control ---
God was fully in control -- allowing the manifestation of the destructive character of Satan and his fallen angels rebellion. It also showed the superior strength of Christ and His angels who utterly defeated and restricted them, casting them out of heaven.
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As for your comments on the "sun" --
They are simply confusing -- I have no idea what you are talking about.
Every time scripture uses the word "made" in Genesis 1, it is an act of creation.
Are you denying that God created the sun, or that He ignited it on the fourth day?
The Bible is plain --
It was dark on day one of creation.
If it was DARK that means there was no sun bringing light to it.
The only light was the light of God's presence.
He did not ignite it on day one.
Day four
God spoke lights into existence.
" Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night;"
One great light (the sun) to rule the day
One lesser light (the moon) for at night.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.Now when God created the heaven and earth (the universe) prior to the six days, the sun and earth were included -- for the earth was there prior to the six days of creation. But there was NOT light from the sun -- it was dark.
But when God spoke, on the fourth day, it blazed into the brilliant, fiery sun that is so important for life on earth.