What Should We Believe About Creation?

Getting started

Here you'll find the participant handout for a day of teaching on Genesis 1 and 2. You'll find accompanying Powerpoints (which fill out the notes) in the following sections.

• Read thisNotes on Creation

The modern scientific account of origins

Before we address the question of whether Genesis 1 can be harmonised with modern science, we need to make sure that we've understood the scientific story of origins. While it doesn't start "at the beginning", this clip from the BBC documentary "David Attenborough and the Tree of Life" is a good place to start.

• Watch thisExplaining the tree of life

How should we read ancient texts?

Three considerations are important when we read ANY ancient literature: the world in front of the text; the world of the text, and the world behind the text.

• Look at thisMaking Sense of Genesis 1 Powerpoint
• Watch thisGenesis through ancient eyes by John Walton
• Read thisThe "Three Worlds Approach" to reading Scripture

Making sense of Genesis 1

There are two main schools of thought on how best to interpret Genesis 1. The first (sometimes called "concordism") regards the text as being a scientific account of origins in some sense. The second (called "non-concordism") says that the text isn't a scientific account of origins in any sense.

• Look at thisDifferent Approaches to Genesis 1 Powerpoint
• Read thisGenesis 1 is Ancient Cosmology by John Walton

The literary framework view

This is the first "non-concordist" view that we'll be looking at. Included is an expanded version of the handout with some evaluation of this view.

• Read thisThe literary framework view

The polemical view

Here's a second (non-concordist) understanding of Genesis: the idea is that the text is written in the context of and in direct opposition to other creation accounts from Ancient Near East religions. One of the most important of these ancient creation myths is the Enuma Elish from the ancient Babylon.

• Watch thisThe Babylonian story of creation
• Read thisThe Enuma Elish

The cosmic temple inauguration view

This is a third way of understanding Genesis 1. The idea is Genesis 1 tells the story of God establishing the cosmos as his temple, the place of his presence (where he's at home) and the "control room" from which he rules over all. Here you'll find an outline and some evaluation of the idea.

• Read thisThe cosmic temple inauguration view

Genesis for life

While learning about different interpretive frameworks is helpful, it's important to remember that the text of Genesis is meant to be lived and not just understood. Michael Reeves's reflection on creation lifts the soul, and the books from John Mark Comer and Tom Wright are well worth a look.

• Read thisThe Meaning of Creation by Michael Reeves
• Read thisSurprised by Hope by Tom Wright
• Read thisGarden City by John Mark Comer

Can a Christian Believe in Evolution?

Here, we focus on the particular problems associated with evolutionary theory, using Keller's online series to help us navigate the landscape. The third of Keller's questions, about Adam, Eve and the Fall, is especially tricky. Denis Alexander sets out five different models of making sense of the biblical data.

• Look at thisCan a Christian Believe in Evolution? Powerpoint
• Read thisCreation, Evolution, and Christian Laypeople by Tim Keller
• Read thisViva La Evolution! by Denis Alexander
• Watch thisAndrew Sampson video
• Read thisDifferent views on Adam and the Fall

Additional Resources

Here you'll find links to some of the additional resources mentioned at the end of the participant handout.

• Read thisCreating a Culture of Dialogue in the Church by Andrew Sampson
• Watch thisBig Question: Science vs Christianity
• Watch thisDid Darwin Kill God? by Conor Cunningham
• Read thisRescuing Darwin by Nick Spencer & Denis Alexander