Lesson 1: Creation 1 — Who We Are
This new series will be based on fundamental Bible stories. In a time of severely divided Christianity, turning to the Bible helps us remember who we are, what we believe, and what we are to do. That’s especially important when so many active Christians no longer know the scriptures.
Let’s start with the creation stories in Genesis 1-3 and John 1: 1-18. It is very clear these are not meant to be scientific accounts, as the two stories with a reversed sequence of events are placed side by side. We also do not want to get diverted from the basic story by being carried away by incidentals.
The creation stories feature absolute monotheism, which creates the problem of explaining evil and suffering. Unlike the Babylonian stories, ours do not have any evil gods or demons to blame. All is ordered by our god.
The stories emphasize that everything is good by nature. Evil and suffering are attributed to living beings, represented by an animal, a man, and a woman, who reject God’s established order. The failure to take responsibility, illustrated by the passing of the buck in Genesis 3, is a primary problem.
Most significantly, the biblical account of creation offers hope. That which is good but damaged can be fixed. In a real sense, the Bible offers that healing or correction. John 1 claims Jesus’ ministry is integral to that as it reveals the order that has always been in the creation.
There is nothing in the stories about a cosmic battle between God and Satan, good and evil, that pictures us as helpless. Instead, the biblical creation stories support working together to restore God’s order.
Nothing about humans being “by nature sinful and unclean” excuses us from taking responsibility for what we do. Instead, the creation narratives support viewing people as made in the image of God.
And the focus is on hope for our present life, not a life after death.We certainly need that right now.
I think the stories offer a decent start for developing a message addressing our 21st century situation.They also indicate the kind of things we should be doing. Let’s take a look at that next week.
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great lesson thanks Fritz yes when you say ‘ the focus is on our present life not life hereafter’ – thats a great segue into the kingdom/commonwealth of God on earth here and now. I keen as to read your thoughts about that. cheers ciao paul