How did the Genesis writers view the Universe?
I would say that Genesis does not support the modern view of the Universe, but shows a different one altogether, more like this:
Please note: I cannot remember where I got this from, if anyone knows the source E-Mail me
Only by changing the meaning of things like 'In the firmament' and 'Above the firmament' can you get the real picture of the universe rather than the picture all the Genesis writers knew to be a fact.
If I may quote. Please when reading look out for the words "IN", "UNDER" and "ABOVE"
1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament IN the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were UNDER the firmament from the waters which were ABOVE the firmament: and it was so.
1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven.
1:14 And God said, Let there be lights IN the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
1:15 And let them be for lights IN the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
1:17 And God set them IN the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth IN the open firmament of heaven.
Okay, so we have water that is seperated by the firmament (remember this water, I will deal with it later) Heaven. Inside the firmament is the stars, sun and moon, oh, and amongst these the fowl fly.
How do we know that the Bible authors thought the stars were small and close rather than immense, light years away?
I have found two times when stars falling to the Earth are mentioned. Jesus uses it as a sign, and in Revelations 6:
6:13
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
6:14
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Now, this shows EXACTLY that the Biblical authors saw stars as being small and very close (can you imagine anyone who knows what stars really are describing a collision with the Earth and a star as "untimely figs" being shaken by the wind?) and the firmament (Heaven of Genesis 1 fame remember) being a tent.
Now, back to Genesis and the water.
7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
This shows clearly that the firmament had windows in it to let the water through. This is obviously where rain comes from. This makes it clear. Now the 'Water above' was ABOVE the firmament, and so above the stars, sun and moon which were IN the firmament.
I KNOW that Fundies will argue against this and be able to come up with specious ideas to contradict what I say, but before you do, please think. This was a book written for 'simple' people to understand, so the straightforward approach is probably the most accurate. That is the approach I have taken, just looking at what is written, literally. No fancy footwork, just a simple examination of what the wors are.
Not bad, I have gone right through the Bible in one message. Genesis through to Revelations!
