In the beginning…
As a Christian who is a scientist, I am forever advocating that Biblical accounts of creation shouldn’t be read or understood in the same way as science text books… The writers of Genesis, Job and other Bible creation stories had other purposes in mind than telling us how the world works.
However, in my enthusiasm for conveying what these beautiful passages aren’t saying, I am too often guilty of failing to highlight the important truths they ARE giving us…
Here are a few verses from Genesis (NIV version) by way of example:
“1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day…
…31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
The poetry and rhythm of this passage already conveys something of the majesty and glory of God, but the words too hold deep spiritual truths; helping us to feel…
The emptiness and void ‘before’ creation
The value and importance of creation to God - hovering in care and anticipation at its birth
God’s mind-blowing power - speaking or commanding everything into being
God’s delight and deep satisfaction as creation came together.
The separateness of God – God is not part of creation but outside it
Next time you reread this passage, let the words soak in and percolate your soul.
