Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Science and the Bible,” pp.
128, 129, in Education; “The Creation,” in The Story of Redemption, pp. 21,
22.
“Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress
of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony. By differ-
ent methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great
truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from
her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine reve­
lation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each
other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of
the laws through which He works.
“Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have,
however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and
in the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been
adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God.
Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the
Mosaic record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were
required for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to
accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days
of creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering
thousands or even millions of years.
“Such a conclusion is wholly uncalled for. The Bible record is in
harmony with itself and with the teaching of nature.”—Ellen G. White,
Education, pp. 128, 129.
Discussion Questions:
 Why would the quality of our faith be affected if we believed
that these stories of the beginnings were legends, “myths” essentially
designed to instruct us in spiritual lessons but without historical
realit­y? What clues in the biblical text suggest that the biblical author
knew that they were “historical” just as the rest of the stories in the
book of Genesis are? What is Jesus’ testimony about the historical
truth of these stories?
 What does the Genesis story teach us about the importance
of stewardship of the earth? How can we be good stewards of our
planet while, at the same time, avoiding the danger of all but wor-
shiping the creation itself, as opposed to the Creator, which is a very
real temptation? (See Rom. 1:25.)
 Despite the ravages of sin over the long millennia, in what ways
does the original wonder and beauty and majesty of the “very
good” Creation still manifest itself to us, speaking to us in power-
ful ways of God’s goodness and might?