Week 1 – Day 1: In the Beginning
Day 1 – Creation - Genesis 1:1-2:25
Easily one of the most important sections of the entire Bible is Genesis 1:1-2:3. One may look at this passage through the musical term, overture. All the great themes of the Bible are coursing through this passages.
The liturgical formulation and much of the deep theological meaning has been obscured over the last century, as the chapter is read in a manner to wrestle with rationalistic science. I plan to have a side bar post about Genesis 1, but here are a just a few of the issues to think about from Genesis 1, as well as a second recounting of creation, found in Genesis 2:3-2:25.
At the very start, Genesis 1:1, the reader is introduced to God: the Who at the very center of the Bible. In addition, we are introduced to another aspect of our relationship with God. God always initiates change in the relationship with us. In this case, God is declared the creator of the entire universe. What does this mean for you, to know that the Bible is about revealing not so much an answer to what, where, how or why, but mainly who?
Genesis 1:26-27 describes humanity as created in the image of God. The Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is revealed to us as a series of interpersonal relationships. How is our own being defined in every day life? If someone thought about you, what image would they see?
Genesis 1:28-31 God defines the role of humanity in creation. Over time, some have taken words like subdue the earth and have dominion as a license to consume, at whatever cost to God’s creation, whatever we desire. Yet these terms, in the context of Genesis 1, point toward stewardship, a very different concept than ownership. Think about financial advisors. Does an advisor have the right to spend your money? How should we view our God given task?
Even God rests in Genesis 2:2-2:3. Do we allow for breaks in our own life? One aspect of our culture is the unrelenting pursuit of work, play and entertainment. Is this healthy? What can you do about the pace of your life?
With regard to both accounts, we see that God created a good creation. Does this surprise you? If so, why, and what does this mean for your relationship with all that is within God’s creation.
I admit this is a lot to chew on. Possibly focus on the one issue which piques your interest the most. But these multiple possibilities certainly points to the rich truths revealed in this opening section.
Shalom,
Pastor Randy
I guess I never noticed that it says man was made in "our" image. What a difference one word can make.
ReplyDeleteThis can be seen as a reference to the Trinity. Genesis 1:2 refers to "a wind from God" (NRSV). This is translated as "the Spirit of God" (NIV) Actually both are right - in Hebrew the word means wind and also means spirit. Either translation is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:2 is an example of Hebrew thought - they used physical descriptions to deal with spiritual issues and really don't see a seperation between the two.(Again no accident that Pentacost in Acts involves a "a sound like the rush of violent wind. (Acts 2:4)
ReplyDeleteAnd from John 1, we know the "logos" or Word was also present. This is of course a reference to the Son of God. So there is much Trinitarian thougt running through this chapter. Again something we tend to miss.
Nice catch!