Genesis was written in a different world to ours, in a different language and in a context where there were different views about origins—different to ours and different to Genesis. It will help to have some idea of the world, culture and language of Genesis if we are to understand it.
Before we come to our own questions and debates we should first try to understand Genesis in its own terms. Only then can we see what conflicts, questions and challenges it poses to us.
We read Genesis as the Word of God. That is why, as we understand it better, we first listen to how it challenges us. Genesis is not in the dock under our cross-examination. We are always under the searching gaze of God’s word. This book of Genesis will certainly challenge us who live in a society that has systematically continued to break own the distinctions and boundaries we see in Genesis.
This is not to say that we will not have questions of our own. Nor that we will not want to pose questions of the text that we have been asked .
The aim of these studies is to understand what Genesis says. And to allow God’s Spirit to speak to us as we take time to read and listen to his word.
Readings and Studies each week
Each week we suggest a passage from Genesis, a passage from Hebrews (which we will read in parallel to Genesis) and some Supplementary Readings which are connected to the Genesis text. You are urged to read them all!
Each week there are also questions for thought and talk.
"In the beginning" is available as a downloadable pdf file, ready to be printed as a small booklet. Click here to view, right click to save to your computer