Creation In Bible Essay Research Paper CreationThe

Creation In Bible Essay, Research Paper

Creation

The origin of the world has been a topic for discussion since the early days of theology. We can all see this matter around us; the sun, moon, trees, and wildlife, but where did it all come from. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, gives two separate explanations for this phenomena. In Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 the first account of creation is given, and in Genesis 2:4 through the end of chapter two the other explanation for creation is described. These two stories depict creation in different ways, but the underlying story in Genesis 1 and 2 are fundamentally the same.

In the first story of creation, Genesis 1:1 to 2:3, creation is depicted in a very orderly manner. Everything from how the universe was created to the making of humankind is laid out on a day-to-day agenda. The story consists of seven days, and thoroughly describes exactly what God created on each day. The second story does not have a certain laid out pattern as to the order of creation. It does state basically the same points of creation as in the first story, but it does not put everything in such a strict pattern of events. Both stories begin by describing what the universe was like before the time of creation. The first version depicts a “formless void” or basically a shapeless space. It is suggested that there is water in this space, because it is stated that “a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” The second version says “In the day that the Lord God made the Earth and the Heavens…” suggesting that there wasn’t anything in the universe until God created it. This version also says that the water came from beneath the earth to “water the whole face of the ground.” Whereas, in the first version God created a dome to separate waters that were already in existence, and then God gathered all the water inside the dome into one place so that dry land would appear. These two versions accomplish basically the same goals, how the world was formed and what the universe was like before creation, but they accomplish them each in its own way.

Another variation between the two stories is in the order that nature is created. In Genesis chapter one, God first created light. Then God created the sun, moon, and stars. Next, all sea creatures are created. After that God created all the Earth creatures. God then created humankind (male and female) to rule over all that he had created. Finally God rested. In the second story God first creates the Heaven’s and the Earth from which water rises up to water it. Then God creates man, Adam, out of the dust of the earth. After that God creates all the animals of the earth. Finally, God creates a woman for Adam out of one of Adam’s own ribs. This version suggests that God only created two humans, and from them the entire population of the world was produced. Whereas, in the first version God created a number of humans, male and female, to reproduce and spread out over all the Earth. The order in which different things are created also differs between the two versions. For instance, man was created directly after the creation of the Earth in the second version, but in the first version man was the last thing that God created. Also, plants and animals were created before humans in the first version, but in the second version plants and animals are created after man. Once again, the same goals are accomplished through each story, the order in which everything in the world was created, but each in its own way.

Each story also gives a depiction of God. In the first story, God is an extremely powerful being that has the ability to bring things into existence just by speaking. This divine word is stressed over and over in the first story showing God’s awesome power. For instance “Then God said ‘Let there be Light’; and there was light.” Even though God is depicted as this awesomely powerful being, it is suggested that there is friendship and a level of equality between God and humans. “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.” By showing that humans are created in the likeness of God, it suggests that humans are almost on an equal level with God. There are still passages showing that God is Superior to humans, but God is very pleased with his creation of humans. In this first account, God is also given a number of human characteristics to help humans relate to God. For example “God saw that it was good,” “Then God said,” and “God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day.” These verses give God human characteristics such as sight, speech, and even fatigue. Not to mention that God has the same image as human beings, because all humans were created in God’s image. This first depiction of God puts an emphasis on the human aspects of God to help those who believe in God better relate to him. It also suggests that there is a close relationship between God and humans, and yet at the same time God possesses powers beyond imagination.

The second version of creation depicts God a little bit differently. First of all, God has to actually form a human being out of dust. Man doesn’t magically appear when God speaks, but rather God has to physically mold him out of dust. This version says, “Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree…” and also “out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air.