Morning Has Broken: Discover Divine Timing in the Christian Journey

Morning Has Broken... But When?

The question of when morning truly began has been a topic of much debate among Christians who accept the biblical account of creation. While there is growing acceptance of the idea that all living things were created in six literal Earth-rotation days about 6,000 years ago, some Christians still struggle to reconcile this view with arguments from astronomy that suggest billions of years. This has led to various interpretations of the Bible, specifically the notion that the sun, moon, and stars existed long before Day 1 of Creation Week. However, a closer examination of the biblical text can provide clarity on this matter.

1. The Beginning

The opening words of the Bible make it clear that there was a beginning. This beginning refers to the start of time, Earth, and the space-time environment we inhabit. It is important to note that this does not imply a beginning for God Himself. The use of the Hebrew word "bereshith" emphasizes an absolute beginning, ruling out interpretations such as "In the beginning of God's creating." This declaration challenges the idea that the universe was a mere accident or a near-eternal existence from which gods emerged.

Why This Matters: Understanding that there was a specific beginning to time and creation affirms that God intentionally brought everything into existence. It counters evolutionary theories that propose an eternal universe or random chance as the origin of life.

Think About It: If everything has a beginning, what does that imply about our purpose and significance? How does recognizing God's intentional act of creation impact our understanding of our own existence?

2. Heaven(s) and Earth

The phrase "heaven(s) and earth" in Genesis 1:1 is a figure of speech called a merism, where two opposites are combined to represent the totality of creation. In Hebrew, there is no word for "the universe," so "heaven(s) and earth" encompasses everything in creation. The word "heaven(s)" refers to the upper regions of creation, while "earth" specifically denotes the planet. Thus, Genesis 1:1 summarizes that God created everything in the universe, not just Earth and its atmosphere or our solar system.

Why This Matters: Recognizing the merism of "heaven(s) and earth" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of God's creation. It challenges limited interpretations that restrict the scope of creation to Earth alone.

Think About It: How does understanding the vastness of God's creation impact your perspective on His power and majesty? How does it deepen your sense of awe and reverence for Him?

3. The Summary Statement

Genesis 1:1 serves as a summary statement of God's creation, with the subsequent verses providing details of how this unfolded over six days. This summary statement affirms that everything in the universe was created within these six days, leaving no room for billions of years before the creation of living things. Exodus 20:11 further confirms this by stating that God made the heavens, Earth, sea, and everything in them within a six-day period.

Why This Matters: The summary statement in Genesis 1:1 followed by Exodus 20:11 leaves no room for an extended period of time before the six days of creation. It affirms a young-earth perspective and challenges notions of billions of years.

Think About It: How does accepting a young-earth view align with your understanding of God's power and ability to create? Does it change how you perceive the biblical narrative of creation?

4. The Creation of Light

Genesis 1:3 records that God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. This verse presents a challenge to the idea that the sun, moon, and stars existed before Day 1. If these celestial bodies were already shining, why was it necessary for God to create light? This question highlights the importance of examining the biblical text itself rather than trying to harmonize it with scientific theories.

Why This Matters: The creation of light on Day 1 contradicts the notion that the sun provided the initial light. It challenges interpretations that require the existence of the sun, moon, and stars before the first day of creation.

Think About It: How does the creation of light before the sun impact your understanding of God's power and ability to provide illumination apart from natural sources? How does it challenge your reliance on scientific explanations for biblical events?

5. Light Before the Sun?

The fact that Genesis 1:3 describes the creation of light before the existence of the sun raises questions about how light could have existed without its source. However, this is not an isolated occurrence in the Bible. Other passages, such as Exodus 14:19-20, Luke 2:9, Matthew 17:2, and Revelation 21:3, describe instances where non-solar light is associated with God's presence or intervention.

Why This Matters: The Bible provides examples of light that are not dependent on the sun. This challenges the assumption that light can only exist through natural means and opens up possibilities beyond our limited understanding.

Think About It: How does recognizing that God can provide light independent of the sun deepen your trust in His ability to provide for your needs even when natural circumstances seem impossible?

6. Can Stars Be Billions of Lightyears Away in a Young Universe?

One common objection to a young-earth view is the apparent contradiction between starlight and a young universe. If stars are billions of lightyears away, how can we reconcile this with a universe that is only thousands of years old? While there may not be a definitive answer yet, it is important to remember that our limited understanding does not determine the truth. Alternative cosmological models, such as Dr. Russell Humphreys' concept of gravity distorting time, offer potential explanations for distant starlight within a young-earth framework.

Why This Matters: The question of distant starlight challenges our understanding and reminds us of the vastness of God's creation. It encourages us to explore alternative explanations that align with a young-earth view while remaining faithful to Scripture.

Think About It: Does the mystery of distant starlight strengthen or weaken your faith in God's ability to work outside our comprehension? How does it impact your humility and reliance on His wisdom?

In conclusion, when examining the biblical account of creation, it becomes clear that the notion of billions of years before the six days of Creation Week is not supported. The opening words of the Bible affirm a specific beginning, and the subsequent verses provide a detailed account of God creating everything within a six-day period. The creation of light before the sun challenges assumptions about natural sources of illumination and invites us to consider God's ability to provide light independent of these sources. While questions about distant starlight remain, we can find comfort in knowing that our limited understanding does not negate the truth of God's Word.