In the beginning

July 19, 2020 (Sunday)

 

 “It was a dark and stormy night.” Supposedly this is the most common first sentence of a novel. It’s almost become sort of a writer’s joke. At the same time, it’s a perfect sentence setting the stage for what is, has, and is about to happening.

 

Likewise, when Moses decided to set down the beginnings (Genesis) of the story of humanity; he began in dramatic shorthand. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” [Genesis 1:1 – 2 ESV]

 

The first word in the Hebrew (original language) text is the word translated “beginning.” In context it carries the idea of an “absolute beginning.” Theologically this is called “creatio ex nihilo” (creation out of nothing). This is how many understand Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” [ESV]

 

Christians understand “God” as a “trinity.” Trinity means “three in one and one in three.” Each person of the trinity is distinct yet part of a unity. The word translated “God” in Genesis 1:1 is plural. However, it is used with the singular verb which is grammatically incorrect unless it is a “uniplural.” In the English language by saying things like “The United States is south of Canada.” United States being a plurality used with a singular verb is understood as a single entity.  

 

Wesley used the picture of three candles in a dark room. Each candle is distinct but creating one light. When we get to the New Testament, the writers saw Jesus in Genesis 1:1. For instance, John claimed, “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.” [John 1:3 NLT] Typically, in the New Testament, the reference to God was to “God the Father.” John claims God the Father created through Jesus "the Word."

 

Echoing John, Paul put it this way, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth…” [Colossians 1:15 – 16a ESV] In Hebrews we see Jesus as “God the Son.” Check out Hebrews 1:2, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” [ESV] Again, it is clear the New Testament writers understood Jesus as God and Creator.

 

In Genesis 1:2 we see the roll of the Holy Spirit, who is represented as a wind, or breath (from the Hebrew word). Later in the creation story, we will see the Holy Spirit making Adam a “living soul.” Jesus used this image, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” [John 20:22 ESV] So, God the Father willed the creation and spoke. God the Son, “the Word,” created. God the Holy Spirit breathed life into creation, especially humanity.

 

The word translated “created” in Genesis 1:1 is a word reserved for God’s actions. It is never used of human action. The idea behind, “the heavens and the earth” means everything in existence. The idea that the “the earth was without form and void” simply means God had not yet separated and shaped the earth as we know it. Think about it. Everything from light to time to anything you can imagine BEGAN because God created it.

 

If you can accept the first verse in Genesis 1, then everything that follows in the Bible makes sense. If God can create; then Jesus’ various miracles, the inspiration of Scripture, and dying on the cross to save us from an eternal destiny in an enteral Hell will not be difficult. 

If God did NOT create, then nothing in the Bible merits the weight of truth. On the other hand, if God did create then He has rights of ownership. He has the right to set the boundaries, the right to set physical and spiritual laws, the right to end its existence at will, the right to redeem what is His through the blood of Jesus.

 

Next up in our study, “billions and billions” of years. Or not. Stay tuned.