How was there light in the beginning without the sun?

Theistic evolutionists often use this argument to try and discount Genesis. In our experience, light needs a source, but this source does not have to be the sun, moon or stars. Other sources are fire, lightning, electric light globes, fluorescent tubes, luminous insects and fireflies, etc. In the Bible, we also find many examples of light without the sun, but originating from a supernatural source. Most of these are associated with the glory of God, which in the Bible is usually manifested as light, although sometimes as fire.

Since Genesis 1:14-19 clearly identifies that the sun and moon were not created until day 4, we can deduce they were not the source of light that created the first three, day-night cycles.

It is therefore absolutely clear that God was the source of this light. Let's examine the evidence that scripturally teaches this:

I John 1:5 "……and declare to you: God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all".

John 8:12 "……I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness".

Hebrews 12:29 " for our God is a consuming fire".

Luke 2:9 "……and the glory of the Lord shone around them".

Matthew 17:2 "……His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light".

Acts 9:3 "……suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him".

Revelation 1:16 "……His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance".

Revelation 21:23 "……for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamb is its lamp".

Some Old Testament examples:

Exodus 10:23, 13:21, 14:20, 34:29

Deuteronomy 4:24

Perhaps the reason why God did it this way was to illustrate that the sun did not have the priority in the creation week that people have tended to give it. The sun did not give birth to the earth as evolutionary theories postulate; the sun was God’s created tool to rule the day that God had made.

Evolutionary theories state that the sun came before the earth, and the sun’s energy on the earth eventually gave rise to life. Just as in pagan beliefs, the sun is, in a sense, given credit for the wonder of creation.