2. ‘Biblical Faith’ & ‘Modern Science’ Enemies?-or-Friends?

3. Genesis One REvisited Beyond origins debates

4. The Nicene Creed We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

5. In the beginning Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … All things were made through him…

6. The Lost World of Genesis One Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate John H. Walton [Prof. of O.T. - Wheaton College]

7. Genesis One REvisited Gen. 1 is in the language of ancient cosmology not modern science.

8. Genesis One REvisited Gen.1 is describing the way the parts of creation function, bringing order out chaos.

9. The god Marduk challenges Tiamat to combat and destroys her. He fashions the earth and the skies by ripping her body in half. Marduk then creates the calendar, organizes the planets, stars and regulates the moon, sun, and weather. The other gods pledge their allegiance to Marduk and he creates Babylon as the earthly counterpart to the realm of the gods. [the Enuma Elish, 12 th cent. B.C. ]

10. Genesis One REvisited “Create” (Ba-ra) speaks of God fashioning something of value and delight out of material that is initially shapeless and barren. It’s “filling in;” making it functional.

11. 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. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light … Genesis 1:1-3

12. Genesis One REvisited In Gen. 1 the world is being given its functions as God’s temple, where he has taken up his residence and from where he runs the cosmos with his people. This world is God’s headquarters!

13. Genesis One REvisited “Gen. 1 can be seen as a 7 day inauguration of the cosmic temple, setting up its functions for the benefit of humanity, with God dwelling in relationship with his creatures.” “Gen. 1 can be seen as a 7 day inauguration of the cosmic temple, setting up its functions for the benefit of humanity, with God dwelling in relationship with his creatures.” (Walton, p. 163)

14. Genesis One REvisited Gen.1 is not explaining or critiquing modern science; to try to make it so is to change the meaning; to be less literal; less accurate.

15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created….And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…. Colossians 1:15 -20

16. Genesis One REvisited What science has to offer concerning the how of material origins can be explored without offense to the biblical affirmations of Gen. 1.

17. Genesis One REvisited There is no contradiction for a scientist being a person of biblical faith; it is a false dilemma requiring a false choice!

18. “The only question worth asking is whether or not the universe is God’s. If the answer is YES! Then why get so excited about how ? The important thing is that we are God’s, created in love. God’s method of creation…is not where my faith is centered.” Madeleine L’Engle Madeleine L’Engle

19. Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth: Establish your kingdom in our midst. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God: Have mercy on me, a sinner. Holy Spirit, breath of the living God: Renew us and all the world. AMEN!