Do Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 Contadict?

I have three new posts. Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. This summer has been the busiest in history.

Have you ever heard that there are contradictions in the Bible? The biggest and most popular one that people suggest is the apparent contradiction between Genesis 1, and 2. What does the church say about such matters ?

Here is the apparent problem that some people point out to say that scripture contradicts itself. In Genesis chapter 1 it says that on that God made plants, animals, and the man and woman – in that order; plants, animals, and the man and woman. But in Genesis chapter 2 God makes Man, plants, animals, then woman.

So the objector concludes that the Bible right off the bat contradicts itself in the creation accounts. They say – see the author is confused about when plants animals and man were made therefore the Bible is filled with error and doesn’t need to be obeyed.

Of course the Bible is not filled with error and does need to be obeyed, but we must read it as it was intended.

Listen to what Pope Benedict said -
Pope Benedict XV: No Real Contradictions in Scripture Again, “Scripture cannot lie”; it is wrong to say Scripture lies, nay, it is impious even to admit the very notion of error where the Bible is concerned. “The Apostles,” [Saint Jerome] says, “are one thing; other writers” - that is, profane writers – “are another; the former always tell the truth; the latter - as being mere men - sometimes err,” and though many things are said in the Bible which seem incredible, yet they are true; in this “word of truth” you cannot find things or statements which are contradictory, “there is nothing discordant nor conflicting”; consequently, “when Scripture seems to be in conflict with itself both passages are true despite their diversity.” (Benedict XV, Spiritus Paraclitus 5)

Now if someone should present us with this Genesis argument or any other argument, a poor response is – nu uh the pope said your wrong.

I just wanted everyone to know that the Pope said that there aren’t any contradictions in scripture, that’s all. If you have ears to hear then hear.

Now how do we respond to such an objection?

Matt we have to be people who are constantly studying our faith so that we can be better equipped to answer people, and build up ourselves then each other in the truth.

Next we might have to do some research. Here is what I found in answering this particular question about Genesis 1 and 2.

In brief, Genesis chapter 1 is like a panoramic view of creation – it is the big picture.

Genesis 2 on the other hand is a zoomed in look at the 6th day and the special creation of humanity.

So there is no contradiction. What further evidence pans this out?

The Hebrew vocabulary words in the text reveal that there is a difference between what is created in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2.

It says in genesis 1 that on the third say that God made vegetation. This is wild vegetation. IN Genesis two it opens with this… Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food,
There is a distinction in plant life. One is wild the other is cultivated, there is no contradiction.

Genesis 1 talks about animals being created on the 5th and 6th days. Genesis 2 says this. Genesis 2:19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air. See it is here that God makes the beasts of the field, where as before he had created the wild animals like koala bears and raccoons.

Finally with the creation of man and woman on the 6th day, yet being separated in Genesis 2, I think that this gives us a hint that Genesis 2 is the 6th day. While Genesis 1 just say that man and woman were created in that day. Genesis 2 is the zoomed in version which gives us the details of the events. Man was created first, then given domesticated plants and animals but no partner for himself. So later that day God makes woman from his side. There is no contradiction and in the Hebrew it is even more clear with the differing vocabulary words.