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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
Scientific Perspective (Genesis Event #2)
The scientific consensus is that the earth formed approximately 4.54 billion years ago from a vast cloud of dust and gas known as the solar nebula. Gravity caused particles to collide and stick together, a process called accretion. Heavier elements sank to the center of the earth’s core, while lighter materials formed the mantle and crust. The earth cooled over time and then water formed on the earth’s surface and eventually water covered the entire earth.
Scriptural Perspective
Genesis 1:1 provides an overview of the creation of the entire universe, including the mentioning of the earth’s creation. The verses following Genesis 1:1 then provide further details about the formation of the earth, the atmosphere, the oceans, and land along with animal and human life. What is amazing is that the sequence of these events as described by Genesis parallels the sequence of events as now described by science.