A Third Creation Story!


Two classes ago we read the poetry from Genesis 1:1-2:4a, the first "Creation Story" in the Bible.  We marveled at the power in the poetry, the way God's creative imagination was given expression.
In Sunday School, our class members also considered a second such story in Genesis, from 2:4b-25,  a narrative that continues into Chapter 3--this is the one we know as the "Adam and Eve" story.  There is much to consider in both.

But how many people have been aware that there is a third Creation Story in the BibleAnd that this one is in the New Testament?

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  
He himself was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.  
He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 
(John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me  ranks ahead of me because he was before me.")
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 
The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to thee Father's heart, who has made him known.

Some questions for reflection:
--How is this Creation Story different from the others?
--What does it have in common with the first two?
--Who is the focus of this story?
--Is it possible that God continues to create, not only in the world after the original creation, but in us even after we are born?



Comments

  1. Kaylee and I were noticing the language is different in this story. It had a different feel. Kaylee suggested it was similar to the other stories in that there was something new coming. We realized that Jesus was the focus of story but perhaps we are also the focus of the story. We believe God is always creating even after we are born.

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    Replies
    1. Excellent reflection! The good news that God continues to create--in and through us--is a very hopeful message!

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