Richard W. Gault 1317 Virginia Ave.

Monaca, PA 15061 xxx-xx-2737

Old Testament Introduction: Test Number 10032007

Essay Question:

Write a three page paper on whether or not the six days of creation are to be taken literally or are symbolic of time periods other than a twenty four hour day.

Richard W. Gault, 1317 Virginia Ave. Monaca, PA 15061, xxx-xx-2737 Test Number 10032007

In considering whether or not the six days of creation are literal or symbolic I would like to offer the following information: Prima Fascia evidence to indicate that the days of Genesis 1 are indeed twenty four hour long periods of time.

1.) The context of Genesis chapter one does not indicate anything other than a twenty four hour day. The Hebrew word for day is Yom which represents a twenty four hour day unless the context indicates otherwise.

2.) Since the literal twenty four hour day on the Jewish calendar began at sunset and ended before sunset the next day, the phrase there was evening and there was morning must refer to literal days.

3.) The Jewish work week according to the Law of Moses was comprised of six consecutive work days (Sunday - Friday) followed by one day of rest (Saturday). The Jewish work week was six consecutive twenty four hour days. God completed His creation in a six day work week followed by a day of rest just as the traditional Jewish work week.

4.) Another factor that would need to be considered in this question of 6 twenty four hour days as opposed to six time periods is that life appeared on the third Richard W. Gault, 1317 Virginia Ave. Monaca, PA 15061, xxx-xx-2737 Test Number 10032007 day. As we know, life cannot live without light. The stars and the moon were made on the fourth day concluding that the days could not be long periods of time as the life would and could not be able to survive due to a lack of light.

5.) It is also imperative to note that plants and animals have a symbiotic relationship. Plants cannot live without animals and animals cannot live without plants. Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, animals take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Plants were created on the third day and animals were created on the fifth day. The plants could not survive if they were separated by a long period of time between days three and five.

The other factor that I believe should carry more weight than any other argument is that the bible states that the creation took place in a six day time frame. The whole bible is the word of truth from God. I believe that so much of Genesis chapter one is meant to be debated. The debate is not whether or not that the creation happened in six days, or if there is atheism, polytheism, materialism etc.. but the debate that Genesis chapter one is provoking is one of faith. Do you believe the word of God is truth as it is written down in scripture or do you believe in mans explanation of the word of God as they write it down in their own hearts and mind, based upon their own limited knowledge and understanding of the universe that we live in. The very first verse of Genesis

Richard W. Gault, 1317 Virginia Ave. Monaca, PA 15061, xxx-xx-2737 Test Number

10032007 chapter one refutes so many worldly views that stand in direct opposition to believing in, serving, and worshipping the one true God. The very first verse of the very first chapter in the very first book of the bible establishes the answer to one question in particular; do you believe God or do you believe man? The first words of scripture set the tone for the rest of the bible and help to define your faith in God. We cannot pick and chose between belief in mans explanation over Gods words when we feel that mans explanation is a satisfactory explanation in comparison to our own world views. When one starts to accept mans explanation of scripture as opposed to the words of scripture the results will be a diminished faith or even worse no faith at all. When our belief in mans answers to scripture supersede our belief in the words of scripture alone we are destined to fail our Lord and those around us in our service for God. Do you believe God or do you believe man is the first question asked because it is the most important question and the answer that is in your heart has eternal consequence. In regards to the whether or not the the six days of creation are to be taken literally or are symbolic of time periods other than a twenty four hour day, the answer is easy; they are to be taken literally because the words of scripture clearly state that they are six days. The word of scripture is the truth and I stand by the word of scripture as I believe that each and every word is the word of truth, the word of God, regardless of what theories man can create to edify themselves I will stand by the word of God as the way, the truth, and the life.