Age of creation
Talks[edit]
- Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 218-220
- Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 462-468
God's creation has existed from eternity[edit]
"As to thy question concerning the origin of creation. Know assuredly that God's creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end. His name, the Creator, presupposeth a creation, even as His title, the Lord of Men, must involve the existence of a servant."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, sec. 78, 150)
Story in Genesis of six thousand years is symbolic (and would be impossible if literal)[edit]
"Notwithstanding this, we read in Genesis in the Old Testament that the lifetime of creation is but six thousand years. This has an inner meaning and significance; it is not to be taken literally. For instance, it is said in the Old Testament that certain things were created in the first day. The narrative shows that at that time the sun was not yet created. How could we conceive of a day if no sun existed in the heavens? For the day depends upon the light of the sun. Inasmuch as the sun had not been made, how could the first day be realized? Therefore, these statements have significances other than literal."
The creation of heaven and earth in six days is symbolic[edit]
"As to the record in the Bible concerning Adam's entering paradise, His eating from the tree and His expulsion through the temptation of Satan: These are all symbols beneath which there are wonderful and divine meanings not to be calculated in years, dates and measurement of time. Likewise, the statement that God created the heaven and the earth in six days is symbolic. We will not explain this further today. The texts of the Holy Books are all symbolical, needing authoritative interpretation."
- (Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 219-220)
