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Let’s stick to the Bible. I don’t accept the beliefs of men whether many or few or in councils or out. Why would I accept what they say over the near eastern philosophy of creation from chaos as being greater than creation from nothing? You cannot start with a hypothesis and then force the Bible to support it. A plain reading will help:

Here’s the word written “in the beginning”: http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/7225.htm

So the entire purpose of Gen. 1:1 is to simply state that here’s what is about to happen at the start. Nothing has happened yet. It is an introductory statement used to focus the mind on the verses following. It states that at the start God created (http://biblesuite.com/hebrew/1254.htm with the sense being fashioned/formed like an artist would stone or clay, etc.) the heavens and the earth. Nothing has yet occured in the narrative.

Next is Gen 1:2 and that describes the first state: http://bible.cc/genesis/1-2.htm namely that until the Spirit of God moved or acted the earth was void/formless/empty - later we see that this means without life. From the reading H2O exists and is perhaps separated by a pangeaic form of land. It’s not certain. Then 1:3 statement on light which is open to interpretation. The action begins.

Ex nihilo is eisegesis and not something you take away from the actual document or writing. The Bible is plain. Back away from your preconceived notions and you’ll see.

There is nothing in the Biblical text to state that the earth in its void/formless/empty state is now brought into existance or was there to be worked on already. It is presumptuous to state so or to believe that such existance undermines the power, authority or majesty of God.

Let’s stick to the Bible.

Good idea!

1 Timothy 6:3-5

3. If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,

4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

“Let’s stick to the Bible. I don’t accept the beliefs of men ...”

Spirited: Before this discussion continues, you need to come out of hiding from behind your ‘covers’ and very clearly identify your worldview propositions, for example, do you argue from an LDs belief system, or perhaps an evolutionary theist, pantheist New Age, dialectical materialist or Luciferian Theosophist position?

Every one of these stances hold to some type of thinking regarding a deity or lack thereof and the Bible, hence your lead statement, “Let’s stick to the Bible,” has meaning according to each position.

Wait a minute. In one breath you tell SI that the church fathers did not say what they think SI said. Then you say you don't trust the words of “godless” men. The you speak of Eastern philosophies, THEN say stick to the Bible.

The Whirling Dervishes have nothing on you....

Hint for future reference, if you are going to claim superiority at least have a linear and sound argument.