[loboinok]

"The two creation stories contradict one another."

Not at all.

The Law of Recurrence.

The Law of Recurrence involves the recording of an event and the repetition of the account which gives added detail.

You will find another example in Ezekiel 38:1 - 39:16
Chapter 38 gives a complete account of the coming invasion of Israel by Russia and the subsequent destruction of the Russian army in Israel.

Chapter 39 then repeats the account from the beginning giving additional details.

[wyattearp]

Much of the "added detail" in chapter 2 contradicts the original detail in chapter 1.

- In chapter 1, man was created on the the sixth day. In chapter 2, man was created AFTER the seventh day.
- In chapter 1, animals were created BEFORE man. In chapter 2, animals were created AFTER man.
- In chapter 1, birds (fowl) were created out of the water. In chapter 2, they were created out of the ground.

These chapters are not complimentary, they are contradictory. They are two distinct and different stories. Read and compare them yourself.