The two creation stories are simply an overview and one that is told in greater detail. The first lays out the events chronologically, with God resting on the seventh day at the beginning of chapter 2. Then, we read about the events that took place directly in the garden, which help define the origins of God's relationship with man. To suggest that because God is depicted more personally in the second that the two accounts are somehow not reconcilable to each other is to know nothing about the nature of God found throughout scripture. He is at once Creator, Father, Warrior, Judge and Friend.
But, to be more specific about it, let's look at it this way. In Chapter one we see God created the earth and all that is on it in a certain order; then He rested on the seventh day. This is a general overview of the creation story. As I also said in the previous thread, how many of us have NOT read an historical account that gave a broad overview and then delved into some detailed events?
With regard to chapter two, we find a detailed account of the creation of man and what happened IN the garden. Yes, all the animals and plants etc had already been created OUTSIDE the garden. Then God created man and put him in the garden. But man had not witnessed God's creation of the world and had no reason to honor Him as having done so; therefore God created some plants (only those that are pleasant to the sight and that are edible) and animals, IN THE SIGHT OF MAN, to show Him who He is, to demonstrate man's authority over the animals, and to show man that there was no suitable mate for him among the animals.
Find a problem with this scenario, please. This is taken from the plain text of the Bible, no violent extrapolations, just reading what is written.
I can't. It's a plausible scenario. I just don't agree with it. :) I don't believe it's the same writer. I (and many others) can hear two distinct voices. Not just in Genesis, but through out the Pentatuch. But your scenario makes sense as well, if you don't believe in the theory of mutliple writers.