Kick off a transformative journey with a deep dive into Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 19. Discover the divine narrative of creation, highlighting God's sequential artistry and humanity's unique role in His plan. Explore the significance of companionship as the creation of woman unfolds. Unravel the uniqueness of the biblical account compared to ancient myths, emphasizing themes of goodness and the purpose of work and love in life. This exploration lays a strong foundation for understanding your place in the grand story.
The biblical creation narrative emphasizes God's goodness, contrasting with ancient myths by portraying creation as intentional rather than violent or chaotic.
Humanity's purpose is established through work, rest, and relationships, highlighting the importance of labor, leisure, and love in reflecting God's image.
Deep dives
The Unique Account of Creation
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 provide a distinctive narrative of creation that contrasts sharply with other ancient creation myths. Unlike these myths, which often involve creation through violence or sexual dominance, the biblical account describes creation as the result of God's sheer goodness and intent. The Hebrew word 'bara,' meaning to create out of nothing, highlights God's unique and powerful role as the creator. This understanding reinforces the Judeo-Christian worldview that all humans possess inherent dignity, as all are made in the divine image, regardless of their strength, beauty, or status.
The Purpose of Humanity
In the creation narrative, humanity is imbued with purpose, which includes labor, leisure, and love. Work is presented as a fundamental aspect of human identity, as God places Adam in the garden to care for it, emphasizing that labor is a part of reflecting God's image. Leisure is illustrated through God’s rest on the seventh day, establishing the importance of balance between work and rest. Additionally, the creation of Eve as a companion for Adam underscores the relational aspect of humanity, demonstrating that love and partnership are integral to human existence.
The Goodness of Creation
The repetitive declaration of God's creation as 'good' unequivocally establishes the inherent goodness of the world. Each day of creation concludes with God affirming the quality of His work, culminating in the declaration of humanity as 'very good.' This foundational belief in goodness is crucial when considering the brokenness present in the world, as it reminds believers of the original intention for creation. As the exploration of humanity's fall will follow, this understanding serves as a vital context for the ensuing narratives of redemption and restoration.
Welcome to Day 1 of The Bible in a Year! Today, we start our year-long journey by reading Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 19. Fr. Mike Schmitz breaks down these readings to discover what the story of creation means for God's plan in your life.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.
Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.