Gensis 1:1 - A Formless Void

[@andrisstanga5938]

The account was edited in the 6th century BC when Hebrew scholars had access to the great libraries of Babylon ad Nineveh. The edit was to edit out the polytheism of pre-Exilic Israelites and to focus on the one God of the universe, probably discovered by altered states of consciousness (there is some suggestion to this even in the Hebrew word for prophet which a modern Hebrew scholar suggested has an etymology suggesting "dances until trance". I couldn't help but think of another Middle Eastern practice when I first heard that - the whirling dervishes of Zoroastrianism. But those 6th century BC editors appeared to have in their minds the Enuma Elish and the Sumerian creation account - which both read like aliens arrived and found the earth after some kind of terrible cataclysm (NOT the Younger Dryas, but something much much more ancient). They helped the earth recover (a kind of terraforming, but on a planet that should already be favourable to life) and played genetic engineering games. Later they transformed an ape to be more like them - and although humans are classed as primates, our DNA and chromosomes are different. primates have 48 chromosomes, humans do not. Our 2nd chromosome appears to be 2 chromosomes fused together. There also appears to be interference on at least 2 other chromosomes. This is old news already, having been discovered more than 20 years ago. Sounds Sci-Fi? I agree. But then so does some old Sumerian writing and their art. And, actually, so does some of OT scripture if we are honest about it (like Ezekiel - have you read that? What a first vision! And then being basically taken up to a space station later...).

[@urchinvalero6529]

The formless void is a state of un-creation that exists before matter. (Scientists might call it the quantum foam) It is possible to experience this state at any time; ego and body dissolve into a black sea of moving energy. (It's extremely comfortable)

[@drb8786]

Awesome video. I’m basically in the process of redoing all my theology. In fact, I found this channel from a review on Thomas Jay oords book. Do you have any good reading material suggestions? which Bible translation would you recommend and is there a study Bible that you like? Thanks.

[@davidmachemer1015]

Good stuff! I also highly recommend the books on this topic by John H Walton: The Lost World of... ...Genesis 1 ...Adam and Eve ...The Flood......and others.

[@alohasaurus]

Agree, but would call it a "dark unlivable water world" as there seems to be too much water that needs separating in Ch. 1.

[@tobyramsden4904]

Fair to say that many biblical scholars have different views of the beginning of Genesis and your argument depends on the translation you happen to be using, so if things were quite as simple as you suggest, there would not be so much debate, would there?

[@diamondbolton2944]

If all people are born from two people their has to be a original set of two at least. What comes first the chicken or the egg. It’s hard for some people to fathom what they can’t do in acknowledgment of someone with greater abilities yet, the irrational rationalized before you so you don’t have to explain it is still not enough.

[@josephjackson1956]

The Genesis account sounds very similar to the Primordial Soup account that science brings us. I wonder what the inspiration to describe it like that was………………..

[@coldtacos965]

I’ve always thought that it was what the ancients perceived what nothing was. Even without modern scientific knowledge, they definitely were pretty spot on. Fascinating!

[@cinnimini404]

Sounds like it’s fine to hold creation ex nihilo as a belief, just don’t hold the Bible as a proof text for this dogma.

[@lurkingblayd3470]

I mean the Greek might allude to the planet as a gaseous dust before compacting into the first iteration of the planet, I don't think science and the Bible are uninterchangeable

[@MusicalRaichu]

Of course it's scientific. It's how God reverses entropy so that things can start happening.

[@krissray]

The very words “In the beginning, God created...” sounds a little off when the Hebrew is being considered.

[@Tex_Prepper]

Do some searching on a breakdown of the first verse of the Bible. Incredibly Hebrew.

[@kyriakosaronis4872]

The bible without the Church that Jesus built is only 25% of the Christian Faith. We are also beyond the book we have Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior alive. The Jews unfortunately they are still on the book and waiting for the Mosiah.

[@emalee8366]

Many people believe Jesus is alive, but there's no strong evidence of that. That's faith. Faith is fine, but your derogatory statements about people who don't share your faith are not becoming of the world I want to live in. You likely wouldn't want to find yourself in the minority opinion that is insulted by people in the majority opinion. Like Christians in Denmark are fearful to tell their best friends that they believe in God. That too is a sad reality. Treat others the way you want to be treated, eh?

[@fdhsakfdhjsl]

"the words of Genesis 1:2 don't indicate that God created the universe out of nothing." But Genesis 1:1 does. You even quoted it at the beginning of your video. "God created the heavens and the Earth." What would this mean but that God created the universe out of nothing?