The natural interpretation continues with the “second” creation story in Genesis. The Bible is an anthology. People wrote multiple versions, and the redactors decided to keep two. They use different literary forms, yet tell the same story. By removing the overburden of unbiblical perfection theology, the ancient texts match the evidence perfectly.
Genesis 2
5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams (mist) came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground (NIV).
The order of this passage uses a human viewpoint, yet the mention of “man” is like an afterthought as if the writer was amazed at the concept he envisioned. This passage does not say mist watered the garden. Nor does it support teachings that dictate no rain until the Great Flood. No biblical writer claims God changed the physics of Earth’s atmosphere because of sin.
The text relays something much more insightful. Long before Aristotle, a Hebrew poet encapsulated the creation using the concept of causality.
This is my paraphrase.
Before there was a man (Day 6), there was a time before plants.
Before there were plants (Day 3), there was a time before rain.
Before there was rain (Day 2), there was a time of mist.
Scientifically, when Earth was very young, it was a dry, hot rock. It had a minimal atmosphere and no oceans, but vapors still dampened the ground. We can see this happening on many solar systems moons. Then, our planet changed. The atmosphere thickened, and water stared falling from the sky. The ocean filled, and life flourish.
Without additions, both versions of the Genesis creation match standard science. Miraculous.
That ends the creation of all that became our universe and our planet. From here on, the Genesis and other biblical stories focus on one species, ours. The Bible tells of how God interacts and changes humanity. In all things, God starts and ends in love.
