Introduction

The first session was jam-packed with insights and revelations!

We began a great journey and look forward to continuing on with it. Here is a summary of the first session

Genesis Is Not About Science

We studied chapter 1 of Genesis.

It’s not a scientific explanation of the world’s origins.

Genesis is a confession of faith.

It was written during the time of captivity and exile of the Jews in Babylon. 

This was a dark and hopeless period in time.

They had lost everything: their land, their homes, their temple, their religion, their way of life. All gone.

What would they do? How would they live and survive? Who were they? What did they believe?

Furthermore: did God still care about them? What was the purpose of these tragic events?

Into this breach, spiritual people began reflecting on their situation. They compiled stories that existed in their community and began putting them together. They formed all these stories and materials into what we now know as Genesis.

Genesis was their interpretation of the world, God, and humanity’s place in it. 

It is a wonderful gift for all of us today!

In The Beginning

God did not create the world out of nothing (creation ex nihilo).

Rather, in the beginning was chaos and darkness.

When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep… (Genesis 1:1-2)

The world was chaos and darkness.

That is what we feel when like gets difficult and hard. We feel chaos and darkness surrounding us.

That is what the Jews felt in Babylon.

But that was only the beginning.

When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

Even in the midst of chaos and darkness, God was on the move.

That, in a nutshell, is the story of creation. God is on the move.

No matter how dark and chaotic the situation, God is on the move.

That is our confession of faith!

God’s Intention to Reality

What is the story of creation?

It is God’s intention becoming reality.

“Let there be light!” – God’s intention.

“And there was light” – reality.

The gospel writer John had another way of phrasing it: the Word became flesh.

God’s intention was revealed with a Word. And that Word became reality.

What was God’s response to this creation? 

God saw that it was good.

From Chaos to Order

The six days of creation reveal God’s intention and order.

From the chaos, God created order.

God created the container for the world and its contents.

Container or Vessels	Content
Day 1: Darkness, Light	Day 4: Sun, Moon, Stars
Day 2: Sea and Sky	Day 5: Aquatic animals, Winged birds
Day 3: Land	Day 6: Land animals, Humans

You see God’s orderly purpose, direction and intention.

God is creating order out of chaos.

This had deep meaning for the Jews in Babylon.

They experienced darkness and chaos, but God was on the move to bring light and order to their lives.

That is our faith confession too.

When difficulties arise, you realize what is important in life. At the root of it is God who is working for our good.

You are not alone. Behind your existence is a bigger power working for good.

God who began a good work will finish it with good intention.

Humanity as Climax of Creation

Chapter 1 is the first of two creation stories.

The first story is about the creation of the cosmos.

And at the pinnacle of that creation is humanity.

Human beings are created in God’s image.

Humans are closest to God, in the likeness of God.

Human beings are precious. They are crowned with glory and honour.

It is a sin not to believe that you are God’s precious and honoured creation.

It is also a sin to treat others as if they are not worthy of honour.

You and I are all wonderfully and fearfully made.

In God’s Image

What does it mean that we are created in God’s image?

The funny thing is that God said not to make images of God. That is one of God’s central commandments.

God does not have any physical image. 

God is Spirit.

That is why when Moses asked God who was speaking, God’s reply was: “I will be what I will be”

God is free. God is not bound by anything.

To be in God’s image is a spiritual thing: we are free.

What it means to be in God’s image is to live with freedom.

Every other living being is bound by the laws of nature.

But human beings have the freedom to transcend our nature. 

We can be loving in the midst of hate. We can hope when the situation is bleak. We can imagine a different future from present reality.

We can create a new future. Creativity in freedom.

To live with that freedom is to reflect the image of God.

God called us to be creative.

Don’t just live your life adhering to the the laws of nature, custom or culture.

Be creative!

That is God’s intention. Make dreams become reality.

It is not freedom by itself.

With freedom, there is choice. With choice, there is responsibility.

Where there is no responsibility, freedom is abused.

The Likeness of God: Our Ultimate Gift

How do reflect the likeness of God?

The Word.

Language.

Only humans beings possess language.

With language, we create new reality.

With language, we worship God.

With language, we communicate.

With language, we are able to connect with God and with others.

Language is the gift given to human beings to create meaning.

However, language can be abused.

We can use language to manipulate, curse, use it for selfish purposes, to further our greed.

But God’s intention was to give us language to bless life. To be God’s partners in creation. To have a special relationship with God. 

In Conclusion

Isn’t this a wonderful way to view creation?

How marvelous is our good God!

Join us as we continue this journey into the foundations of life.