Gen 1:3-5, 5… And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
In studying creation, both sides attempt to explain the conflict between science and the Bible in regard to the age of the earth. If we believe the Bible is true, we use it as the foundation and base for our argument and use other means for support. As a young earther, I assume the position of the literal 6 days 24 hours creation.
While I take the position of young earth, I wrestle with Gen 1:2 & 3. Did God set in motion the heavens and earth and not start to create into the earth until after a long period of time? I think vs 1&2 gives us the framework, skeleton, structure of heaven and earth creation, vs 3-5 puts the meat on the bone. Gen 1:3-5 “3 Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. 4 .. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” The light and the darkness separated times within hours which would suggest a shorter period. And the use of evening and morning I found to be the most convincing of literal 24hr day. If the word “days” (plural) was used, then it would be opened to a deeper debate. We use words like “the days of Noah” which indicate a period of time, or ”the day of the Lord” which would be a certain time period. I don’t see how “morning”and “evening” could mean something else, and then to top with “…the first day” not “the first days”. The first day of creation sets the time for the rest of creation having to fall on (day and night). If you read each day of creation morning and evening are mentioned at the end. I think the author knew that years, decades, centuries later the debates would arise and therefore put those distinctions to address the objections. He addressed the objections before they ever arose. The darkness of the evening was before the light of the morning.