Light on the First Day of Creation

"Several explanations have been given [for light before day 4 when the sun, moon and stars were created]. One possibility is that God’s presence was the source of light on the first day of Creation. Psalm 104 is a stylized account of the creation story, and it mentions God covering Himself with “light as with a garment” in the section paralleling the first day of Creation (v. 2). During the first three days God could have separated the light from darkness (as He later separated light from darkness at the Red Sea, Exodus 14:19, 20). By God Himself being the light source for the first part of the week, He would be emphasizing the theocentric (God-centered), not the heliocentric (sun-centered) nature of Creation. This would forestall any temptation to worship the sun that might have been encouraged if the sun were the first object created."

Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
2002
Author:
Richard M Davidson
Publisher:
Dialogue - General Conference Office of Education
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD  20904-6600

Phone: 301 680 5060
FAX: 301 622 9627
Email: beardsleyl@gc.adventist.org
URL: http://dialogue.adventist.org/
Order Information:
College and University Dialogue, Volume 14, Issue 3
Subjects:
Language:
French, Spanish, Portuguese, English
Resource Type:
Internet Resources; Published Articles & Papers
Resource Objective:
Informal / Lifelong Learning
Level:
Tertiary-Lifelong
Audience:
Student / Learner
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist