Graduate 78: Advent, Day 1
Creation
Genesis 1:1-2:3
In the opening chapters of Genesis, we see God setting the stage for the drama of human history. Of course it is God's story at bottom, but it is also a distinctly human story. In an age when the value of human beings and their favored position in God's economy is being seriously called into question--a friend of mine once asked if it was not arrogant of people to claim such a privileged place--it is helpful to look back to the very beginning and God's original plan. On this point, it is also interesting to compare the Genesis-account with other creation myths. "In the ancient Near East, the gods created for themselves--the world was their environment for their enjoyment and existence. People were created only as an afterthought, when the gods needed slave labor to help provide the conveniences of life (such as irrigation trenches). In the Bible the cosmos was created and organized to function on behalf of the people that God planned as the center-piece of his creation." (IVP Bible Background Commentary of the Old Testament, 29.) Not only are human beings the climax of God's creation (only after the sixth day does God proclaim creation to be "very good"), but they are also uniquely created to be in relationship with God--made in His image and after His likeness.
God manifests Himself in creation as a God of order and structure; none of the violence and conflict that fills other ancient Near-Eastern creation accounts taints this story. Instead, God’s clear and unrivaled authority is demonstrated as He speaks, and, by the words of His mouth, calls creation into existence out of nothingness and chaos and darkness. (vv.) By His word and decree mankind is appointed to rule over creation, (Psalm 8) and throughout history God continues to demonstrate (often inexplicably) the same grace and favor toward humanity that He did in creation.
Later we will read the first chapter of the gospel according to John, where the apostle reveals that the same Word that spoke creation into existence took on flesh to (again) bring life and light to a world in darkness. In that, He came to restore what was at the very beginning of creation and God’s original intention: harmony between God and humanity and nature; men and women in their privileged place--neither reveling in their own accomplishments, nor beating themselves into the dust, but standing in their proper and valued place before God.
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
Genesis 1:1-2:3
In the opening chapters of Genesis, we see God setting the stage for the drama of human history. Of course it is God's story at bottom, but it is also a distinctly human story. In an age when the value of human beings and their favored position in God's economy is being seriously called into question--a friend of mine once asked if it was not arrogant of people to claim such a privileged place--it is helpful to look back to the very beginning and God's original plan. On this point, it is also interesting to compare the Genesis-account with other creation myths. "In the ancient Near East, the gods created for themselves--the world was their environment for their enjoyment and existence. People were created only as an afterthought, when the gods needed slave labor to help provide the conveniences of life (such as irrigation trenches). In the Bible the cosmos was created and organized to function on behalf of the people that God planned as the center-piece of his creation." (IVP Bible Background Commentary of the Old Testament, 29.) Not only are human beings the climax of God's creation (only after the sixth day does God proclaim creation to be "very good"), but they are also uniquely created to be in relationship with God--made in His image and after His likeness.
God manifests Himself in creation as a God of order and structure; none of the violence and conflict that fills other ancient Near-Eastern creation accounts taints this story. Instead, God’s clear and unrivaled authority is demonstrated as He speaks, and, by the words of His mouth, calls creation into existence out of nothingness and chaos and darkness. (vv.) By His word and decree mankind is appointed to rule over creation, (Psalm 8) and throughout history God continues to demonstrate (often inexplicably) the same grace and favor toward humanity that He did in creation.
Later we will read the first chapter of the gospel according to John, where the apostle reveals that the same Word that spoke creation into existence took on flesh to (again) bring life and light to a world in darkness. In that, He came to restore what was at the very beginning of creation and God’s original intention: harmony between God and humanity and nature; men and women in their privileged place--neither reveling in their own accomplishments, nor beating themselves into the dust, but standing in their proper and valued place before God.
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
posted by Metaphysician_delta | 2:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home