1. The Second Creation Story
Genesis 2
The Second Creation Story

2. The Creation Story #2

3. The Creation Story #2

4. The Creation Story #2 Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24)
Garden of Eden
Observations on Creation Stories #1 & #2
Philosophical Options
The Trinity
The Root of the Doxology
Applications

5. Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24)
More than one creation story/culture not uncommon
Four Major Differences
Different Names of God
Reversal of creation sites
Different creation activities
Different orders of creation
Minor differences: (no mention of greater/lesser lights, stars, etc)

6. Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24) Four Major Differences
Different Names of God
Genesis 1 – God  Elohim
Genesis 2:4b and onwards: LORD God  YHWH Elohim
Leads to the two author theory
Change in Focus?
Elohim
YHWH

7. Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24) Four Major Differences
Reversal of creation sites
Genesis 1:1 – “heavens and earth”
Supports a Cosmo-centric focus
Genesis 2:4b – “earth and heaven”
Supports a Man-centric focus

8. Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24) Four Major Differences
Creation by Activity, not Fiat
Formed Man (2:7) and beast (2:19). Formed same as potter with clay
“breathed into his nostrils” (2:7)
“planted a garden” (2:8)
“fashioned [built] a woman” (2:19)
These are activities familiar to Man
NOTE: the word Adam == Man

9. Introduction (read Genesis 2:4b – 2:24) Four Major Differences
Different orders of creation
Creation Story 1: plants  animals  male/female
Creation Story 2: Man (alone)  plants  animals  Woman
Minor Differences
No sun, moon, stars
No discussion of original chaos, darkness, waters
No cosmological items whatsoever

10. Garden of Eden
Two trees: Tree of Life and Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
LORD God warns against eating of this tree
NOTE: No immediate injunction against Tree of Life
Protestant circles
May also be a Merism (type of Figure of Speech)
and-evil-biblical-merism.html
Jewish Interpretations
May be a warning against rationalism?

11. Observations on Creation Stories #1 & #2
Jesus treated both accounts as integrated
The Historicity of Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve, as historical (objective) figures, are an integral part of Biblical theology
Paul
Luke (Luke 3:38)
Eve is treated as a historical figure
Creation of Woman from Man provides basis for unity (and marriage; the ultimate in unity)
Genesis 5:1,2 parallels Genesis 1:27

12. Observations on Creation Stories #1 & #2
The Image of God (Genesis 1:26)
We have an identity
As Christians we recognize the origin (and value) of personal qualities (love, fellowship, etc).
Therefore, if Man is made in the image of God, the Incarnation is not foolishness.
The Dominion of Man (Genesis 1:26)
Man stands between God and Creation as a steward.
Dominion includes moral responsibility
Man would have had to work even w/o the Fall (dominion = responsibility)

13. Philosophical Options Personal God versus “Other”
Something existed before creation and that something was personal and not static (regardless of Ex nihilo or Ex materia)
Your choices are:
Option #1 - Absolutely nothing  Something
Option #2 - Impersonal beginning (Time, space, energy, and chance)
Option #3 - Personal beginning
Option #4 - Dualism (Good vs. Evil or > 1 starting material)

14. Philosophical Options Personal God versus “Other”
Option #1 and #4 rejected early
Dualism never understood in the West; We always push to unity
(NOTE: Still in contrast to the ancient Jewish view of “the beginning)
Absolutely nothing not really accepted
Options #2 and #3 are the only two viable options
Option #2 (closed system) problems:
No explanation for the specific form (not just existence)
No explanation of personality.

15. The Trinity
Essential to a Christian understanding of the origin of the universe.
Genesis 1:26, 3:22, Isaiah 6:8 (note the reference us)
John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:10, Colossians 1:16-17, and 1 Corinthians 8:6 (Christ was in the beginning)
The universe had a personal beginning on the highest order (the Trinity)
Love and communication existed within the Trinity before the beginning, and we reflect that. Love and communication are thus intrinsic to Man and have value because they have always been.
Diversity within Unity

16. The Root of the Doxology (Rev. 4:11)
Why does the Bible praise God?
The Bible praises God not because He saved us, but because He made us!
Thus Christians understand where the world (and we) came from and why we are the way we are (why we are unique and not just biological machines)

17. Applications
It refutes atheism, because the universe was created by God.
It refutes pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created.
It refutes polytheism, for one God created all things.
It refutes materialism, for matter had a beginning.
It refutes dualism, because God was alone when He created.
It refutes humanism, because God, not man, is the ultimate reality.

18. Discussion Questions
Do you think physical pain was possible in the Garden of Eden pre-Fall ? (consider congenital analgesia)
tivity_to_pain
childrens_health/t/rare-disease-makes-girl- unable-feel-pain/

19. Discussion Question
What is the link between Adam and the dust from which he was created?

20. Discussion Questions
Should we seek fulfillment through our work?

21. Discussion Questions Should we seek fulfillment through our work?
Is work a way by which Man continues participation in God’s creation?

22. Discussion Questions
Does Genesis 2 (God’s work and His expectation of Adam in the garden) form the basis of a theological position that Christians support basic rights of workers: -- the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, the  organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic  initiative?