Genesis 1

So here it goes, this will be the first group of questions and reponses:

Question: How do you understand the creation story in Genesis 1?  Who wrote it?  Where was it written?  Date?

Response: I see the creation story in Genesis 1, first and foremost, as being written for the glory of God.  Very often today men of science have criticized the Genesis account as being inaccurate or incomplete.  Much of this discussion can be resolved when we realize that Genesis is not interested in giving a detailed account of how and when everything was created but rather why and by who.  There are however several important details that surround the account. We have a God that created everything ex nihilo (out of nothing).  Although it is often overlooked, this fact is crucial.  Unlike the other gods of the East, Yahweh created outside of Himself.  This draws a distinct line between God and His creation.  God transcends His creation.  This separates the God of Israel from the gods of the pagan in several distinct ways. First, unlike the idols who only controlled small domains of the universe, Yahweh reigns sovereignly over all creation.  He is the King over all of creation.  Secondly, our God is a God who creates not out of necessity but out of the good pleasure of His perfect will.  Within the Trinity, God had perfect fellowship and communion.  Humans, along with the rest of creation, were created for God's pleasure.  This is an incredibly humbling realization and it makes us ask, along with the Psalmist; "What is man that you are mindful of him?" 

The account in Genesis describes God's, initially perfect creation. God, in accord with His divine purpose, created a perfect cosmos.  After each day of creation is capped with God looking at His creation and saying that it was good.  Then on the sixth day God created the first humans in His image (Imago Dei).  This is the first time we see this in the creation story and this major difference separates us from the rest of creation.  All of creation is fallen (Romans 8) but only humans have the ability to be redeemed.  Also God commanded man to go out and subdue the rest of creation, to act as a steward over the earth.

Next I see the Genesis account as taking place in a literal six days.  On the seventh day God rested or ceased(to create). By the power of His word Yahweh created all things(Gen. 1:3,6,9,11, etc) and by His will He holds all things together(Col. 1:17)

Finally I see the account in Genesis 1 as being written sometime in the 15 century B.C.  Although before Exodus in the canon it was written after.  It is also important to note that the grammar of the Pentateuch was updated at a later date.  As I talked about earlier, I see Moses as the author of this book and the other 4 books of the Law.