Tuesday Contradictions–Matthew 25:34: When Was Heaven Created? Four Verses, Four Answers

When was heaven created? The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible points to Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:6–8, Matthew 25:34, and John 14:2 as giving different answers. But are these passages actually talking about the same thing?

In Episode 305, Lance Smith examines the biblical words for “heaven,” including Hebrew shamayim and raqia and Greek ouranos. He looks at the different interpretations of the Genesis creation account, including the ancient Near Eastern view of the firmament, and explains why “prepared” does not mean “created.”

The result is four passages addressing four different questions—not four contradictory dates for when heaven was created.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com

Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When was heaven created?”  https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/heaven.html

SlimJim, “Bible Contradiction? When was heaven created?” The Domain for Truth, April 21, 2017. https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2017/04/21/bible-contradiction-when-was-heaven-created/

Simon Turpin, “Heaven? Was Heaven created, if so why and where is it?” Ask John Mackay. https://askjohnmackay.com/heaven-was-heaven-created-if-so-why-and-where-is-it/

Danny R. Faulkner, “The Firmament: What Did God Create on Day 2?” Answers Research Journal 13 (2020): 113–133. https://answersresearchjournal.org/firmament-what-did-god-create-day-2/