Describe Christian ideas on the origins of the world?

Many Christians believe that the world was created ex nihilo by God around 6,000 years ago. However, this is not supported by science, nor is the belief strictly in accordance with The Bible.

Until the early centuries of Christianity, Christians based their beliefs more literally on the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, but these beliefs are less commonly held today. Because there are two creation stories in Genesis: (1) verses 1:1 to 2:4a; (2) 2:4b to 2:22, Christianity generally preferred the version in Genesis 1:1 to 2:4a for its understanding of the creation of the world in six days. However, Christianity does use the second story for its literal understanding of the creation of Adam.

The first of these (1:1-2:4a) is recognised by scholars as the work of the Priestly (P) source, based on a Mesopotamian mythe encountered by the Jews in Babylon. So, the creation account that has the world created in six days, which every Christian learns as a child, did not even exist prior to the sixth century BCE. A summary follows, in order to show that there really are two creation accounts in Genesis: In Genesis 1:1 to 2:4a ( up to first sentence of 2:4) there was a pre-existing watery chaos. The ocean was already present and a wind moved across the surface. The seas rested on the dry land, which appeared on day 3 when God gathered the waters together. The order of creation was as follows: (Day 1) light [day]; (2) the firmament, which was believed to separate the waters of the heavens from the lower waters; (3) By gathering the lower waters in one place the land appeared. Grasses and trees; (4) sun; moon and stars - the lights in the firmament; (5) fish, land creatures and fowl; (6) man, both male and female. Notice that the light of day was not yet understood to have originated from the sun, although the sun was universally understood to rule the day. That is why it was possible to have grass and trees before the sun was created.

Genesis 2:4b to 2:15 says that there was pre-existing dry land, but God had yet to make it rain for plants to grow. A spring arose and God took some moist clay and made Adam. After Adam, he made the creatures of earth, one by one, then finally Eve. This account could scarcely be different from the previous version.

Some Christians hold to what they regard as a literal reading of the Bible, with the world and all life on it created just 6000 years ago, while others seek to accommodate the biblical stories within a much longer timeframe. Finally, some Christians who acknowledge that the world is far older than stated in the biblical account accept that it was formed by natural processes. Many see a compromise between science and religion and hold to "theistic evolution" as the explanation for the world we live in.

For a more detailed explanation of different views, please visit: http://christianity.answers.com/theology/the-story-of-creation