Science in Christian Perspective

Space and Time in the Genesis

Cosmogony

Meredith G. Kline



Westminster Theological Seminary in California

1725 Bear Valley Parkway

Escondido, CA 92027-4128



[From Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 48:2-15 (1996)]

©1996 by the American Scientific Affiliation

[Text Only Version]

To rebut the literalist interpretation of the Genesis creation week propounded by the young-earth theorists is a central concern of this article. At the same time, the exegetical evidence adduced also refutes the harmonistic day-age view. The conclusion is that as far as the time frame is concerned, with respect to both the duration and sequence of events, the scientist is left free of biblical constraints in hypothesizing about cosmic origins.



The opening section gives a biblico-theological sketch of the two-register nature of cosmology as presented in Scripture. The second major section shows how two-register cosmology informs and shapes the treatment of both the space and time dimensions in the Genesis prologue. It is found that a metaphorical relationship exists between the two levels; the heavenly level (upper register) is described in figures drawn from the earthly level (lower register). As for the seven-day scheme, it belongs to the upper register and is, therefore, to be understood figuratively, not literally. The point of the concluding section is that Genesis 1, on any view that identifies the narrative order with the temporal sequence, would contradict the teaching of Gen. 2:5 concerning the natural mode of providence during the creation process.

A

Two-Register Cosmology

Cosmology of the Genesis Prologue

The Space Coordinate

Two-Register Space

While the "let there be" is uttered

at the upper register, the "and it

was so" occurs at the lower

register.

Table 1

Two-register Space in Genesis Prologue

Verse 1

Verse 2

Days 1-6

Day 7

Upper

Register

heaven

Spirit

fiats

God's

Sabbath

Lower

Register

earth

deep

fulfillments

Sabbath

Ordinance



The summary chart of the space dimension theme in the Genesis prologue (Table 1) shows that two-register cosmology is present not only as a concept but as a pervasive factor in the organization of the composition. Additional evidence of its influence on the literary structure of the passage will be noted below.

Replication Relationship of the Two Registers

The six days fall naturally into

two triads, one dealing with

creation kingdoms and the other

with the creature kings given

dominion over them.

Table 2

Location of Triads' Productions First Triad Level Second Triad day one

upper

day four

day two

upper { } lower

day five

day three

lower

day six



Here again we see that the two-register cosmology construct was a decisive factor in determining the literary shape of the Genesis prologue.23

The Time Coordinate

Lower Register Time

The non-sequential nature of the

creation narrative, and thus the

non-literal nature of the creation

"week," is evident from the

recording of the institution of

lower register time in both the

fi

and fourth day-sections.

All indicators tell us that "in the

beginning" belongs to the upper

register, where Father, Son, and

Spirit act together in sovereign

purpose, word, and power to

create the world.

Upper Register Time

The six evening-morning days

then do not mark the passage of time

in the lower register sphere.

They are not identifiable in terms

of solar days, but relate to the

history of creation at the upper

of the cosmos.

Replication: The Sabbath Ordinance

Cosmogony and Providence

The Genesis 2 Context

The weekly scheme of the Sabbath

ordinance portrays this overall

seventh-day-bound design of

lower register time while it

symbolically mirrors the

archetypal heavenly creation

week itself.

Exegesis of Genesis 2:5-7

Gen. 2:5 reflects an environmental

situation that has obviously

lasted for a while; it assumes a

far more leisurely pace on the

part of the Creator, for whom a

thousand years are as one day.

Genesis 2:5 and the Creation "Week"

The more traditional

interpretations of the creation

account are guilty not only of

creating a conflict between the

Bible and science but, in effect, of

pitting Scripture against Scripture.