Scripture reading: Genesis 1:1—2:3
Ground Zero
In the beginning God . . . (Genesis 1:1)
When we compare the Biblical account of creation with other cosmologies of the ancient world, only then do we begin to discover what a unique and priceless document we have in Genesis 1–2. While many teachers of Comparative Religions will want to emphasize the similarities, the truly remarkable things are the differences! Even someone with a casual aware- ness of the creation accounts that come to us from Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Greece will recognize immediately the stark contrast when compared to Genesis.
Pagan Accounts of Creation Genesis 1–2
| Many gods (polytheism) | One God (monotheism) |
| Creation out of pre-existing matter | Creation out of nothing (ex nihilo) |
| The gods are known through nature | Nature is known through God |
| A polyverse | A universe |
| Mythology (time and space are unimportant) | History (time and space are very important) |
| Cyclical concept of time | Linear concept of time |
| Creation involves sexuality | There is no sexuality in God |
| The gods are ethically messed up | God is a moral being (holy) |
| The gods are represented by images | No graven images of God are allowed |
| The gods must submit to a deeper impersonal force behind everything (fate) | God is absolute and sovereign. There is nothing beyond, above or under him. |
| Humans can “control” the gods through ritual and magic. | No man can control God! The Bible condemns all magic and sorcery. |
| Boundaries are blurred (man/animal, male/female, god/man, right/wrong, etc.). | Boundaries are emphasized and celebrated. |
| The gods are part of this world system | God is “wholly other” |
How to account for such radically different understandings of our world? The best answer I know is that God himself has revealed the truth about creation and made sure it was recorded in the Bible. He wants us to know our origin so that we can understand our true identity, purpose and destiny!
What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare
fabric of heaven and earth could come by chance,
when all the skill of art is not able to make an oyster!—Jeremy Taylor
point to ponder • In the beginning . . . God.
prayer focus • For biology teachers and their students, to analyze with discernment and wisdom.