The First of the Creation Stories

We read Genesis 1:1-2:4 , the first of the two creation stories in the Book of Genesis (there is a third creation story in the New Testament, John 1:1-18. Genesis ("Beginning") is the first book in our printed Bibles.

We took turns in reading the passages,recognizing what we were reading as poetry. We discussed how poetry can communicate truth in a very different way than prose.

Some of the language was repeated., most notably: "And God saw that it was good."  All of God's creation is seen and affirmed in its goodness.

The steps of creation unfold in what one person described as a "schedule," by days, mini-chapters, in a progression.  The poetry is meant to "stimulate our noodles," to engage us in image and depth of consideration and reflection and artistic endeavor.

How is the character of God communicated in these passages?
--"The Creator of the earth and everything"
--"Life-Giver"
--The God whose creation is "diverse," "different"
--The God of wholeness--"of every kind," "all," "Let us"
--The God whose imagination is reflected in the people God creates

The creative possibilities are infinite: "Let us make humankind in our image."

We did not believe that the poem means to be understood as creation taking place in six 24-hour days. There was reflection on the confluence of  biblical creation and scientific revelation,rather than a separation.

The seventh day, the day marking completion, is the day of God's rest.  We recognized the sabbath having its origins here--another genesis!