Reading Genesis

Imagine the dawn of everything, a moment when time itself begins, not from chaos or collision but from a single, sovereign word. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. This opening line of Genesis is a masterpiece of compression and reverence, a declaration that the universe is not a product of random forces or capricious gods but the intentional act of a good Creator. Unlike the surrounding ancient Near Eastern myths, where gods are embroiled in battles and born of tumultuous events, the biblical narrative stands apart by asserting creation ex nihilo—out of nothing. There is no preexisting chaos to be subdued; there is only God’s will bringing forth light, sky, land, and life with calm authority.

Throughout the creation story, the repeated phrase “and God saw that it was good” rings like a refrain, reminding us that every element of the cosmos is infused with goodness. This is not a world born of accident or necessity but one crafted with care and purpose. The sun, moon, stars, animals, and humans all partake in this goodness, each declared good in turn. The rhythm of creation is one of harmony, a symphony of divine intention manifesting in the natural world.

Consider the contrast with the Babylonian Enuma Elish, where the gods emerge from primordial waters and fight for supremacy, creating the world from the carcass of a slain monster. Their world is marked by fear, hunger, and conflict. The gods are fallible and often hostile to humans, who exist merely to serve their needs. In Genesis, by contrast, God is transcendent and immanent, both beyond and intimately involved with creation. Humankind is made in God’s image, the pinnacle of creation, not slaves to divine whims but companions in the unfolding story of being.

This vision of creation as inherently good and purposeful invites us to see the world with new eyes—not as a battleground but as a sacred space, a garden prepared for delight and stewardship. The light that God commands into existence is not just physical illumination but a metaphor for order, meaning, and joy. Each evening and morning marks a step in this grand unfolding, a testament to the Creator’s care.

As we reflect on this, we recognize that the biblical creation narrative is not mere myth but theology—an invitation to trust that the universe, in all its complexity and beauty, is grounded in goodness. This foundation supports all that follows in the biblical story, from the struggles of humanity to the promises of redemption.

Let us now journey from the serene dawn of creation into the complex landscape of human nature and the problem of evil, where the story deepens and challenges our understanding of good and bad, freedom and responsibility.