I would like to present, when it seems to me appropriate, some of the discussions of Augustine regarding Genesis. I have found many of the
questions he relates thought provoking. His
discussions, also can be enlightening, although I am often unable to locate his proposed
answers (although it is sometimes apparent in his context). It is also sometimes obscure which scriptures he references, which is partially due to the fact that his time was before canonization, and partially because of the different translation paths.
And how did God say, Let there be light? Was this in time or in the eternity of His Word? If this was spoken in time, it was certainly subject to change." How then could we conceive of God saying it except by means of a creature? For He Himself is unchangeable.
John Hammond Taylor;Augustine. St. Augustine: The Literal Meaning of Genesis: 001 (Ancient Christian Writers) (Kindle Locations 219-221). Kindle Edition.
Later Augustine, writing before light was scientifically defined writes:
What is the light itself which was created? Is it something spiritual or material? If it is spiritual, it may be the first work of creation, now made perfect by this utterance, and previously called heaven in the words, In the beginning God created heaven and earth. In this supposition, we must understand that when God said, Let there be light, and light was made, the creature, called by its Creator to Himself, underwent a conversion and illumination.
John Hammond Taylor;Augustine. St. Augustine: The Literal Meaning of Genesis: 001 (Ancient Christian Writers) (Kindle Locations 238-240). Kindle Edition.
As I indicated above, Augustine was writing before the science of light had begun... But the same is true of the writing of Genesis 1, so it may be instructive to consider it in that light.
So, I will leave it up to my brothers here... Do you find these kinds of questions thought provoking, or is this a distraction? I will not take offense either way.