Q.251: “How did God create the earth in as little as six days?”

Oh Boy, this is a ‘Doosie’ (a difficult one to answer) and is sure to create many opinions, differences of opinion, and even criticism of my answer and criticism of ME!    

I have had a read in the few textbooks I have that there are many opinions on exactly what is meant by: ‘in six days God created the heavens and the earth.’ Many books have been written about it all.

He very well may have created this world in six days. (Why the Himalayas rising up so high could still be grunting and shoving other mountains around before the next stage was ready and the noise would be very loud! my humour)

Some Christians firmly believe that because the scripture says six days, 24 hour days, it can be nothing else and there is no room for any other view. I am not of that group.

A strong concept for six days is that every living creature depends, somehow, on another for its life – the “Web of Life.’ Like bees need flowers, birds need trees for nests, and cows need grass, etc., a never ending cycle. I.e.: the water Cleopatra and the Pharaohs drank is still around – continous recycling. I.e.: the water evaporates into the air, makes clouds and it eventually rains somewhere as fresh water.

I believe that it is not honouring to God to loudly proclaim your views and vigorously argue with other Christians who may have a view that is different. Both believe God did it all but still will argue that, “I am right, and you are wrong!” there are more important things in the Bible that should be discussed. Like the existence of heaven and hell. “Are they real and what do you believe?” “What did Jesus say about it?” and: How could Jesus say: “I will be handed over to sinful men, be crucified and die but I will rise to life again on the third day.”  Who else has ever said that?

I do know that God created this earth. So far, no other life forms in outer space have been found but are very likely out there – somewhere. But I also know that we humans are the only creature God made that fouls its own nest with pollution and rubbish. God must be sad about that. 

AND, it has occurred to me: “How would we be if this earth was 1% closer to the sun?” One percent is a million miles.  We would maybe get cooked in summer?  

To your question: I cannot tell you and be sure it is correct. There are too many things, words, and interpretation of words in the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic writings, so we cannot be sure of the exact truth. God did make it is what I do know. I cannot believe it just all happened without a designer, a planner because the evidence is all around us of a perfect ‘Web of Life”.

You may want to do some reading on the WWW at:  Creation Ministries International

Jesus several times referred to God as ‘heavenly Father’ (in heaven-that’s where Jesus said He came from): Jesus also said: “I go to prepare a place for you – so that you can be with me always.” All of these precious words of Jesus – they are promises – are in John Chapter 14. I am looking forward to going there and being ‘shook’ of (finished with) this wheelchair I live in. (When He did go up to heaven it was a bit like ‘Beam me up Scottie’ in ‘Star Wars’) See: Luke 24:50.

So I could enjoy the beauty of lovely kids and big (grown up) girls. Also flowers, trees, millions of plants, birds, and four different seasons. God did a lovely job in making girls for us guys, but He ought to have taught us guys how better to keep our girls happy. Most of us don’t know how to (or take a long time to learn).

And further; He made us to be Mums and Dads and have families, but He must be sad that so many refuse to include Him in their lives and wonder why they are not satisfied and happy in their hearts. “The human heart has a God shaped space that only God can fill.”

What do I think?  Old guys like me (87 yo. now) have never lived with self harm, or lived with people who do self harm. It seems so very sad to me. I know very little about it.

Modern society spawns (makes and develops) this thing – it makes some people feel bad about themselves, but underneath they are just like other people but haunted by the idea that something is wrong with them and they must strive to fix it. These wrong ideas need to be exposed as a lie (a fraud). (I personally think that some TV shows kind make many of us want to be like TV and Pop stars who have teams of people to make look so good – or bad. They are false really and quite a few die of drugs and mental health problems.)

Some modern e-mails, ‘Facebook’ or SMS, and many other forms of electronic ‘messages’ sent by some people, are to me, from  utterly, gutless people who send anonymous vulgar messages and do not sign off with their name!!  These messages come from corrupt and evil minds.

AND advertising is the biggest curse of our civilisation. Let me explain that. Every TV ad, magazine ad, radio ad, and newspaper ad – plus all the junk mail in our letterboxes – want YOU to buy their ‘stuff’ so you’ll be OK, accepted, be happy, and be smiling all day with lots of friends. RUBBISH!!  Happiness does not come from toys, iPads, clothes, a bottle of grog, drugs, or a big new car. I think that all the advertisements I’ve mentioned make some people feel inadequate, not good enough and not as good as they could be because the ads paint a picture of the ‘perfect’ boy or girl. SO, ”I’ll work hard at being really good,” to be accepted.

There is also another possible problem with somebody – even a family member – abusing the self-harming person. Abusing by constantly telling the victim they are ‘useless’ and will never be any good. Also, maybe sexually abusing them or even belting or hitting them. This is now a criminal offence in some countries. This must stop – by the victim – the self-harmer, telling someone about it until somebody understands the problem and helps put an end to it.  Too often victims are not believed.

When a person is hurting they feel inadequate and so say, “I’ll cut myself and that makes me feel better.” It might for a while, but it does not work for long. A good friend is needed. A really good friend or a person who has known what it feels like to want to hurt yourself.

A true friend, a wise counselor, a Chaplain, or a doctor can help – and you may not know it but Jesus – if you ask for his help, can be a real help too. Ask a Christian to pray with the one who is in trouble, not once but often, regularly.

Remember: “A problem shared is a problem halved.” (My mum again, she always helped people). May God bring some help to the one who needs it.

Phone help lines are there too;

KIDS HELPLINE (in Australia)is 1800 551 800 or on-line www.kidshelp.com.au

And LIFELINE: (in Australia) 13 11 14, or on-line www.lifelinewa.org.au

I am not a PC Geek but the www.beyondblue or Beyond Blue sure has a lot of different help phone numbers. Your local phone book will list help somewhere. This organisation was started by a state Premier in Australia who lost an election and got depressed.

Well a good start is people like me sharing your need with Jesus himself. (There is an email address on this website for any questions of me). The twelve disciples had lots of questions for Jesus and Jesus answered them all. It is the best way in the world to learn things.

As a scripture teacher for many years, I now think that I would be very happy just sitting down and talking to kids, telling stories and answering their questions (as they think of them).  

Jesus did just that and the twelve disciples later became question answerers themselves – instead of question askers.  Please keep asking.                                  

There are of course Bible textbooks. I have one here where I just look up a word and it tells me where to find the verse in the Bible with that word in it. There are often many to choose from. The WWW can make things easier and quicker now. If you have an iPad and such things (I do not). At 87 years old much of it is too technical for me. AND if it is urgent phone up a preacher at a local church and ask him.

Last word: Michelle Hamilton in her three days and two nights lost at sea in a kid’s dug-out canoe asked God: ”Am I going to die?” A: “You are not going to die.” ”Excuse me but would you please say that again because I cannot last much longer?” Again the answer came back: “You are not going to die.”  Truly incredible. 

She did not die, but was rescued by a fishing boat, crewed by Christians, soon after. In all my life I have never heard of a spoken question being answered from God. It can happen. For her story see: www.jonahministries.org. Really good to know about. I have heard Michelle tell her story three times and have two copies of her book: A Mighty Tempest.  

Because Jesus does not answer as we humans do, we need to know the Bible. This (all of it) is because it can give us real guidelines as to an answer to our problem. It is not clear cut! On ceasing work as a teacher in 1986 I looked for some voluntary work to do. One ‘door’ was quickly and firmly closed. So I tried another – Scripture teaching – and it has worked out beautifully for which I am thankful. This Blog is one outcome of it.

1 ... 45 46 47 48 ...49 ... 51 ...53 ...54 55 56

The Answerer

The Answerer - Peter Harris, answered children's questions from his many years of teaching "Scripture" classes.
Open-source blog