Our Bible Study Responses Theology 33

1. "In the beginning...." How can we know what really happened in the beginning?

Well, we had a bit of a go at this one. We talked about the many theories that people have concerning the beginning of the world. We talked about the famous, 'Big bang,' theory, but we all had to admit that in the end, no one really knows what happened in the beginning. It is a mystery. We spoke of the fact that every culture has its own creation story and that some of those stories
are even older than the Genesis account. We concluded that humanity has a deep and abiding interest in knowing where we came from, how we came to be and what that means for our life here and now and in the future.

2. Do you think that this is literal account? Why or why not?

None of the assembled group thought that this was a literal account because, as we had already decided, no one could ever really know what happened in the beginning. We felt that this was an intelligent way of explaining very complicated issues in a simple way. We felt that its main purpose was to underline God's work in creation, rather than to just tell a story of how we began. God's love for and delight in creation is evidenced all through this passage and that, we felt, is the main purpose of telling it like this.

3. Why does the story tell us that God speaks? Who was there to hear it?

This was very interesting! We felt that it was important to acknowledge the power of God's word. God speaks and creation manifests. We also thought about the way in which we communicate – why do we speak to each other? We speak so that what is inside us can be made manifest. We share ideas and what is inside us is communicated to others. This then, gives us a picture of God choosing to share with us, something of what is inside God. We are part of a world that God has imagined and brought into being. Creation is a word that, although first spoken long ago, still speaks to us today.

4. What pattern(s) (if any) do you see in this account?

This is a very organized and systematic approach. There is repetition and rhythm which seems to contain a blessing, 'it is good.'

5. Why do you think that God's actions are divided into 'days' here?

It is part of the order mentioned in previous question. It also points to there being a process involved and that it took time. It wasn't like magic, "hey presto" and suddenly everything exists! Plants bud and grow; animals grow and mature. God is involved in world of progression.

6. What does this account tell us about God? Make a list.

This passage tells us that God is a creator; God cares; God builds; God speaks; God takes time….. we went on and on with this. We actually came up with more than 23 adjectives about God and there are only 23 verses in this week's reading. I've left the majority out because I'd like to see how many you can up with. Please click on the comments button below this post and tell us what you think.