First, I don’t set the standard, God does. His Holy Bible is clear on ex nihilo creation, there is pre-Genesis matter being worked on. That doesn’t destroy the majesty, power and wonder of His creation. It just means it wasn’t, as recored in the Bible, ex nihilo.
Reading it again will help:
Here’s Genesis 1: http://bible.cc/genesis/1-1.htm and 2: http://bible.cc/genesis/1-2.htm
Young’s Literal Translation makes it clearest:
In the beginning of God’s preparing the heavens and the earth — the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,
That’s verse 1 and 2 from Young’s Literal. It is obvious now, no?
The Biblical text states clearly that the earth in its void/formless/empty state was there to be worked on already. It’s existance doesn’t undermine the power, authority or majesty of God.
His first act is contained in Gen. 1:3. He tames chaos/disorder by immediately declaring light. There are a lot of great scientific attributes of light that make this beginning so amazing. There are also wonderful religious metaphors for light, not the least of which is joy.
So enjoy yourself, God and His Holy Word.
English Standard Version (©2001)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
International Standard Version (©2012)
In the beginning, God created the universe.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
American King James Version
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
American Standard Version
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the beginning God created heaven, and earth.
Darby Bible Translation
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
English Revised Version
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Webster's Bible Translation
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
World English Bible
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Young's Literal Translation
In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth —
One out of 17 ain't bad I guess.
But it still begs the original question, this formless Earth, where did it come from. Speculate if you need to.
I got it the first two times, including the one where you told me it was important and to read it again.
But thanks anyways...