Questions about Genesis 1:3, 1:16, and 1:26?

Question

I am a Pagan with lots of question about the Bible and Christianity. I was told by many Christians that if I read the Bible all of questions would be solved. Well, it seems as though it's just the opposite. I have more questions now than I did before reading the Bible. And I'm only on the first page!

My first question is this:
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
But then four days later we have:
Genesis 1:16 God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars.

How could God have light before he created it? What light source did God create before he created the stars, the moon and the sun?

Then my big question is this one:
Genesis 1:26 Then God said "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness ..."

I thought there was only ONE God, as per the Christian doctorine. The use of the words "Us" and "Our" seems to state otherwise.

Answer 1

your first rule of reading the bible you need to accept that it does not make sense and it is full of contradictions
it is only a book of fairy tales

Answer 2

First of all, kudos to you for actually reading the book; there are too many CHRISTIANS who don't. Second, reading the Bible will create more questions, but it will also prove an enlightening experience, whether or not you're convinced by it, so keep on going.

Now as to your specific questions. Generally, I don't take the Genesis to be literal truth. Like later in the Bible, when God says 'rend your hearts and not your garments,' it's not meant to be taken literally. Nonetheless, it's considered to be inspired by God, so that means that the message behind it is what's supposed to be taken seriously. In other words, God is all-powerful, and he was responsible for the world.

Genesis 1:26 uses the plural. This is for me, (Jews will probably disagree) a sign of the Trinity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..." (John 1). The Holy Spirit and Jesus (though not yet in physical form) existed from the beginning, and they were God, and they were with God, and so you have "Let us make humankind on our image."

Answer 3

First of all Christians who told you that reading the Bible will clear up your questions are FIRED! They need to read the Bible themselves! The Bible shouldn't be used to clear up questions because it'll only lead to even MORE questions (as you've already noticed). There are plenty of contradictions in the Bible.

The first question. God radiates light. He used his Power to help Him create the Sun, Moon & Stars.

On the second question. While it is easy to say that He's speaking of the Holy Trinity (God, Son, The Holy Spirit) the answer to that question may be more complex,

Once you get further along, you'll realize that God actually has some one, or some beings, up there with Him. That He counsels with Satan and allows him to "Accuse" human beings. (Book of Job.) He's the boss basically but there are other beings up there with him like, Angels, and others that we may not know about.

Now, this is my opinion only. I don't remember where I heard this before, maybe in school. We're supposed to take the word of God on faith and faith alone. We're being asked to believe without seeing and be like children in a way. So really you can't just read the Bible and expect to be changed. You've got to come in with some sort of belief in what you're reading already. Some of it is so confusing and causes so many questions that you just have to believe (if you so desire.) I guess at any point you could pull out and decide that there's too many inconsistencies...which there are.

Answer 4

The 1st respondent is correct on the light variation, but I would like to add something to the question on Genesis 1:26. God is not a singular being but He is The Trinity (no, nothing to do with the Matrix). God is made of God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. Since these 3 are God, He refers "to Himself," as Us.

Answer 5

I am Christian and whatever Christian told you that reading the Bible will solve ALL your questions... they are wrong. God only reveals to us what he wants to be revealed. I myself have many questions. Yes, the Bible will solve many ultimate unanswered questions many of us have.

If you read Genesis 1:5, it is saying that 1:3 is only referring to separating day from night. Then, what you are referencing in 1:16, is the creation of the actual sun and moon and stars. There are two different "lights" being spoken of.

As for Genesis 1:26, God is speaking of the Holy Trinity. There is only one God, but he consists of three distinct bodies: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is why it is "us" and "our."

I hope that clears up some of your questions. If you would like to speak any more, you can contact me :)

Answer 6

For one, there shouldnt be a big question about how God could have light before their was any. Surely you dont think the sun and moon rule God? Why would He need them to produce light? Man can even produce light without the sun or moon.

"Let us make man in our image" if you go back to the beginning, you'll see God created the heavens and the earth first... Angels came before man. God created us in the same image... body, mind, and spirit.

Answer 7

while I am not Christian I will take a crack at this

first anyone that tells you just read the Bible and all your questions will be answered is an Idiot

second the light can be seen in several different ways. Rashi a biblical commentator in the 12th century said that the first chapter is not in chronological order. another way is that the light was not phical but rather a spiritual "light."

as for the Our it is referring to the angles. The reason G-d consulted the angles about the creation of man is to teach us a lesson. That is that it is a good idea to consult people below you when making an important decision even when they can not affect your position.

Answer 8

I think in Genesis 1:3 God created the light and called it day and night. Later in verses 6 -10 He created the earth and sky. I think in Genesis 1:16 God just organized the sun, moon , and stars. Now that the earth and sky(heaven) were now seperated He put the sun,moon , and stars in their right places and organized how they moved and how they affected the earth.
Genesis 1:26 You are correct and most Christian denominations are wrong. Our and us does indicate more than one God.

Answer 9

In verse 1.3, G-d created light and separated it from the darkness, darkness not merely being the absense of light, but absense of all things (the Hebrew scriptures in a more traditional translation begin "In the beginning of G-d's creating...". Thus by separating light from darkness G-d created the first day. However, on this first day, he did not make any difference between the amounts of light and darkness, day was bright, night was pitch dark.

...in verse 1.16 "And G-d made the two great luminaries, the greater luminary to dominate the day and the lesser luminary to dominate the night, and the stars"...this refers to the differntiation of the various states of light and darkness (i.e. the creation of the sun to "rule" the day, and the moon and stars to "rule" the night. This is very different from the creation of light and darkness.

In verse 1.26, Christians teach that this is support of their belief in the "trinity" (the father, son and holy spirit), under Judaism this is taught and understood to mean that G-d is speaking TO the angels and (according to the Targum Yonasan) means, "...and G-d spoke to the minstereing angels who had been created on the second day of Craetion of the world, 'Let us make Man'". According to the talmud, jews are taught that is so that those whou would err, wil choose a sacriligious implication in the verse, will do so hosoever they are decide. Jews believe otherwise...it is for you to study what has been said and make a decision for yourself, remember "Yisroel" means one who wrestles with divine beings and have prevailed. (Gen. 32.29

Answer 10

The gospel is hid to those who are lost, for Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them (2 Cor.4:3-4).

To the Jews, preaching Christ crucified is a stumblingblock and to the Greeks (Gentiles) foolishness, but to them which are CALLED (the church of God -1 Cor.10:32) Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Cor.1:23-24).



Pat (ndbpsa ©)

Answer 11

The second light thing is god splitting the light that he made, into the sun, moon and stars. I believe that when God says us and our that he is talking to Jesus Christ. I hope this clarifies things for you. Feel free to ask any more questions and don't worry about that fact that you don't get some parts of it, many people don't.