Let us first consider the order of creation as set forth in Genesis 1. God created time at the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth (i.e., space, time, matter and energy). At the moment of initial creation of the universe, the clock started and time as we know it began to move forward. Time always moves forward and in one direction and never in reverse (i.e., the “Arrow of Time”). This is clear from Genesis 1 through the entire Bible. It is clear from a scientific point of view as well. God created time and along this timeline, He created the heavens and the earth, (i.e., matter, energy and space).
Some mathematicians and the quantum physicists argue that reversing time is mathematically possible. However, whether time can actually move in reverse has not been proven. In other words, is it mere theory or is it fact? While a theory must be mathematically possible to be true, the fact it is mathematically possible does not mean the theory is factually true and correct. The Holy Bible is a complete forward moving timeline history of creation. This includes the creation of the universe and the earth. It also includes the creation of life including man and the relationship of man to God. Man sinned against God through rebellion. However, God set in motion the plan for the redemption of man through Jesus Christ. This timeline clearly and distinctly establishes the order of creation.
The Arrow of Time is evident in the description of creation in Genesis 1. Creation was completed in order along a timeline. First, God created the heavens and the earth. Then He created light, the firmament, dry land, plants, the Sun and the Moon, sea animals, land animals, and man consisting of male and female. According to the Genesis account, God created life fully mature and in perpetuity. This means that life was created to reproduce according to its own kind in perpetuity.
This perpetuity of life is consistent with what we know scientifically. Things reproduce according to their own kind. There is no evidence of cross speciation in real life or in the fossil records. Some scientists go to great lengths to try to demonstrate cross speciation at the single cell organism level, but it is pure theory. The bottom line is canines (e.g., dogs) do not transition to felines (e.g., cats). Amphibians (e.g., frogs) do not transition to reptiles (e.g., alligators). And, apes do not transition to humans.
The first three words of Genesis are “In the Beginning.” Thus, the entire creation story starts at the beginning of time and matter. The question arises about how or by what mechanism God created the heavens and the earth. I would propose that it does not matter. What the reader of Genesis 1 needs to understand is that if God wanted to give us a physics lesson about creation, He would have provided one. Genesis 1 is a summary of what God did. In the mind of Moses, the history of man was very simple. How God did it was not relevant.
And yet, man in his own arrogance, sets out to figure out how God did it. And, in the process, man declares he has figured it out. Then he concludes that everything exists without the necessity of God. While our technology is advancing exponentially at present, science still is not even close to proving how matter and energy were created, let alone how life began. It is impossible for science to refute God. Science cannot tell us from where matter came. It cannot tell us how life began. Even if evolution did occur in some form or fashion, science cannot tell how it evolved. Let me explain further.
What modern scientists know about our universe is practically nothing. Consider that our Sun is a partially cooked cinder that is on fire. It puts out enormous amounts of energy, which is sufficient to support life on Earth. However, our Sun is only one of over a billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy is one of over a billion galaxies in the universe. Yet, all of this mass and energy is estimated at comprising only 5% to 15% of the mass of the universe with the remaining 85% to 95% of the universe consisting of some type of dark matter and dark energy.
Dark matter and dark energy cannot be observed by man directly, but it seems to hold everything together in the universe. It is used to explain how galaxies do not fly apart and how the universe expands without slowing down. Compound this with the fact that we are only able to observe through space exploration the outer limits of our solar system. Everything else is just too far away for direct observation. What we know beyond our solar system is through the observation of light, sound, magnetic radiation, etc. collected by large telescopes. and specialized equipment.
The result is man’s near ignorance of the actual truths of the creation of the universe and life. Thus, God laid out very simply in 34 verses how He created the universe. Although these truths have been assaulted by atheistic scientists throughout the ages, these verses have never been refuted. These verses remain truthful to this day.
So, in summary, Genesis 1 explains very simply, concisely and accurately the order of creation. It explains how God created the heavens, the earth, life and man. This simple truth establishes the uniqueness of God’s relationship to man and is the basis for the rest of history.