Creation and Its Concepts Devotions – Scott Headlee Concept Review Picture # 1

Creation and Its Concepts – OT- 1

 Hands lifting the earth out of hazy mist — God created the heavens and the earth.  Halo of white light circling the earth — God created all things good.  Fingers opened on the right hand — God relinquished the earth to humankind as a gift.  White links attached to the arms and globe — God binds himself to his creation.

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1  Lettered banner flying on the earth — God claims ownership of all creation.  Figure grasping staff — Humanity, too, is owned by God.  Banner furling around figures — Fashioned and owned by God, humankind has freedom only within limits.  Halo of light behind figures’ heads — Male and female are fashioned in God’s image.

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1  Figures holding crowns — Fashioned in God’s image, people are the very crown of God’s creation and have been given four basic responsibilities toward the earth on which they dwell:  First jewel in crown —To replenish the earth  Second jewel in crown —To subdue the earth  Third jewel in crown —To till and keep the earth  Fourth jewel in crown — To have dominion over the earth

How to Read the Bible Again for the First Time Who is the author and what is his or her purpose in writing? To whom was the original message addressed? What does this passage say about God ’ s partnership (covenant) with His people? What is the literary style of this passage?

Hermeneutics – the “ science ” of interpreting scripture Limitation principle Historical principle Literary principle Religious v. Scientific principle Shelf principle THINK HEBREW!

Language West – abstract Language of the ear & mind Frequently needs definition East – concrete Language of eye Straightforward, earthy

Thinking Greek v. Thinking Hebrew When certain environmental conditions are present in an intimate circumstance, where two diametrically opposed dominant influences exist, in all probability the final result will be unbecoming, unproductive, undesirable and, in essence, quite offensive If the father eats onions and the mother eats garlic, they will not expect the child to smell of sweet perfume

Vocabulary West – concerned with the vehicle Constantly needs definition East – concerned with cargo Often points to things without attempting to define

Worldview West – scientific HOW? Systematic Preoccupied with origin East – religious WHY? Non-systematic Powerful respect for mystery

Individual v. Corporate West – individual is supreme The squeaky wheel gets... East – identity is corporate The nail that sticks up…

Our Greatest Challenge in Reading the Bible THINK HEBREW!

Pitfalls we will avoid Allegorical interpretation The Bible as a manual of prediction Wooden literalism

Creation and Its Concepts Affirmations of Genesis 1 & 2

God is Creator The writer of Genesis did not consider it important to explain “ how ” God created

The Hebrew Conception of the Universe

Syllogistic Reasoning God is love Love is blind Stevie Wonder is blind Therefore, Stevie Wonder is God

God created all things good Buddhism Hermeticism, Stoicism & Asceticism Present day pietism

God binds Himself to creation Deism Pantheism Dualism

Humanity is the crown of creation What does it mean to be created in the image of God?

God gives freedom with limits Genesis 2:15-16 Rousseau What would be the logical consequence of freedom without restraint?

God owns creation What happens when the relationship between Creator and creature is confused?

God gives humanity tremendous responsibility Have dominion Replenish Subdue Dress, till and keep