Week 1 Genesis 1-2
Reading the story of creation it’s almost impossible to not mull over contemporary questions – non-24-hour days & natural selection & geology & dinosaurs & like that.
But then a couple of years ago I started noticing the things bible writers mulled over about creation. And so far I haven’t found any of them that’re very curious about the big-bang or Neanderthals.
It’s other things about creation that catches their interest. Creation’s creator for instance. Jeremiah says: you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power. Nothing is too hard for you. Someone who can create the universe can do pretty much anything.
The creation also acts like a huge advertisement about the creator’s capacity: the heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. The ingenuity of the created world’s creator is on permanent display. A masterful design means a masterful designer
Bible writers also connect creation to personal outcomes:
You have forgotten your creator, the one who put the stars in the sky. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppression? Technically being on the creator’s side makes antagonism manageable. I’ll be braver.
Not only that…I should be paying better attention. Should be more loyal and compliant: You created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
Anyway what I’ve been consistently seeing is that when it comes to creation bible writers show almost zero interest in modern questions about origins.
Note: quotes from Jeremiah 32:16 Psalm 19:1 Isaiah 51:13 Psalm 119:73 (NLT)