Walton suggests that time, as we understand it, was ultimately created by God on the first day (The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis, 2001, pp. 78-92). His argument hinges on the creation of light and the resulting establishment of the day/night cycle. The interpretation Walton provides suggests that time began with the creation of light.

The Beginning of Time and the Universe

In Walton’s view, the first day of creation encapsulates the beginning of the universe. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” setting the stage for all subsequent creative acts. The universe itself, including the fabric of space and time, would have been brought into existence in this initial act of divine creation. Following the creation of the universe, God introduced light (Genesis 1:3), distinguishing day from night and enabling the passage of time.

This interpretation underscores a critical point: time is not an eternal, autonomous entity. Instead, time—like everything else in the cosmos—was created by God. Time did not exist prior to God’s creative work but was initiated by God as part of His orderly creation of the universe. In this way, the creation of the universe and the initiation of time are intricately linked. However, there is a flaw in Walton’s interpretation.

Light and the Measurement of Time

On the first day, God spoke light into existence: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). The creation of light allowed for the establishment of the cyclical pattern of day and night, which became the framework for timekeeping. However, time did not depend on the creation of light but on the creation of the universe itself. Light merely provided a means for measuring time.

This points to God’s intentional design in creation. Time is not an accident or an inevitable result of the universe’s existence. Rather, time was purposefully woven into creation by a sovereign God, who established cycles like day and night to guide human existence and the order of creation. By creating light and separating it from darkness, God also emphasized the rhythm of life, work, rest, and worship, which would become central to the lives of His people.

Theological Implications of God as Creator of Time

The idea that God created time has profound theological implications for how we understand His nature. God is eternal, existing outside the bounds of time and space. As the Creator of time, He is not subject to its limitations. This truth is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in 2 Peter 3:8, where we are reminded “that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” God stands outside of time, seeing the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and His purposes are not constrained by temporal limitations.

This doctrine affirms God’s absolute sovereignty over creation. Not only does God control the events of history, but He also governs the very nature of time itself. This gives believers assurance that God holds all things—including the flow of time—securely in His hands.

Addressing Alternative Views

Some have speculated that God might have created the universe at some point prior to the six days of creation, leaving a gap of undefined time before the creative acts described in Genesis 1. This theory allows for the possibility of an ancient universe that pre-existed the specific creative acts mentioned in Genesis. However, this view is not supported by Scripture. The biblical account is clear that the six days of creation encompass the entirety of the universe’s creation, including the initiation of time.

It is vital to uphold the authority of Scripture and affirm that Genesis 1 provides a complete and orderly account of God’s creative work. To suggest that the universe was created prior to the six days described in Genesis risks undermining the clarity and straightforwardness of the biblical narrative.

Creation and God’s Sovereignty

The creation of time and the light that enables its measurement serves as a reminder of the majesty and authority of God, the Creator of all things. Time, like every aspect of creation, is subject to His will. As finite beings living within the confines of time, we can rest in the assurance that God, who stands outside of time, directs all things according to His perfect plan. Thus, the creation account in Genesis is not merely a description of physical origins but a profound revelation of God’s eternal nature and His sovereign design for His creation.