What are the two creation stories in Genesis? How can they be true if one contradicts the other?

In the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, there are indeed two distinct creation narratives presented in chapters 1 and 2. These creation stories offer different perspectives on the origin of the universe, humanity, and the natural world. Here's a brief overview:

Genesis 1:1-2:3 - The Priestly Account: This narrative, often referred to as the "Priestly" or "Elohistic" account, describes the creation of the world in six days, with God creating light, the sky, land, vegetation, celestial bodies, sea creatures, land animals, and finally humans (male and female) in his image. On the seventh day, God rests and sanctifies the Sabbath. This account emphasizes the orderly and systematic nature of creation.

Genesis 2:4-25 - The Yahwistic Account: This narrative, often called the "Yahwistic" or "J" account, provides a more detailed focus on the creation of humanity and the Garden of Eden. It describes God forming Adam from the dust of the ground and breathing life into him, placing him in the Garden of Eden to care for it. God then creates animals and birds, which Adam names, but finds no suitable companion. Finally, God creates Eve from Adam's rib to be his partner. This account highlights the intimate relationship between humanity and the divine and emphasizes the special status of human beings within creation.

Regarding the question of how these two creation stories can both be considered true despite their differences, it's essential to understand that these narratives were written by different authors or communities and reflect distinct theological and cultural perspectives. Ancient Hebrew literature often employed parallelism and repetition for emphasis rather than strict chronological or historical accuracy.

Interpreting these creation accounts as complementary rather than contradictory can offer insight into the multifaceted nature of creation and the diverse ways in which humanity has sought to understand its origins. Many theologians and scholars see the differences between the two stories as enriching our understanding of the divine and human relationship with the cosmos, rather than as sources of conflict or contradiction. They emphasize the symbolic and theological significance of the narratives rather than their literal historical accuracy.