[DouglasKC]

I also see one story. The first chapter of Genesis is the big picture, the overview. The second chapter is an inset, a closeup, a detail of some of the events in chapter one. Sure different human authors have written the events...many different human authors wrote the bible. But the real author, God, made sure that the events important to man were recorded.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

"The first chapter of Genesis is the big picture, the overview. The second chapter is an inset, a closeup, a detail of some of the events in chapter one."

Consider it a division between Form and Fullness. This is a creation Hymn, it ascribes to God the act and power of creation. Man, as a rational creature, has always wondered about his origins, about the beginnings of the world, the stars, the sun, about his own nature.

By contrast, Hesiod's Theogony, or Snorri Sturleson's description of Norse pagan creation in the prose edda present creation as a grotesque and chaotic event, filled with giants and titans and monsters. (A view to which the modern scientist has returned!) The biblical creation hymn affirms the beauty and fragility the creation and of man's status in the world.

[bondserv]

I also see one story. The first chapter of Genesis is the big picture, the overview. The second chapter is an inset, a closeup, a detail of some of the events in chapter one.

Take a look at the passages and you will see this simple explaination satisfies the straightforwardness of the text. I think what throws people off is the special creation God exhibited for Adam in the naming process. This left no confusion as to who the Creator is for Adam (also significant is the fact that Eve had not been created from Adam yet).

When chapter two begins describing the creation of animals it pertains to the naming process. These animals were created in the Garden of Eden, whilst the others were created outside of Eden as was Adam.

[plain talk]

I also see one story. The first chapter of Genesis is the big picture, the overview

Exactly. I would highly recommend that many posters on this thread take an inter-denominational bible study course on Genesis, i.e. Bible Study Fellowship. There are obviously numerous fringe beliefs out there but BSF is at least one source that is based on representation from the mainstream Christian denominations.