PS for Jovaro
As a person trained in science, I can tell you that the first thing you do, in order to establish the basis for ANYTHING, is "describe the initial conditions"...now...as with interpreting Gen 1, we look at the perspective of narration...it was from the surface of the earth, hence, we have a good understanding of why the sun and moon were not visible till the forth day.
the narration from the Ark was "on the ark". Let me ask you Jovaro...you ever go deep sea fishing? I got a great boat for it..and we go WAY off shore....over 50 miles....and let me tell you something....from the perspective of the boat "YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING, IT LOOKS LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATER", however the Bible, so it does not confuse the gullible, gives us a GREAT clue as to what it really meant...you see, after 40 days, a Dove found a GREEN OLIVE BRANCH....I guess as the waters returned to whence they came, just as the bible said, and the ark drifted toward land...Low and behold..tree's that COULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED FOR 40 DAYS AND NIGHTS....or it would not have still been green....
You see, the bible is just TOOO good to doubt my friend....I promise you that!!