Verse: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” - Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

In the beginning…

The words which open the Bible do more than simply initiate the story of Genesis 1. They open us to the  narrative of God’s heart, pursuit and purpose for humanity. Within the first three chapters of Genesis lies more than simply a Sunday school story involving an apple, a snake, a tree and a woman. Within those words we see God’s intention for creation, we see God’s purpose for humanity, and we see God’s invitation to us. The revelation of the scriptures harkens back to the foundation of the garden. 

The early chapters of Genesis accurately present two accounts of cosmic and human origins in the language and ideas of the ancient Hebrews. These texts should not be removed from their ancient context and read as if they refer to the process of cosmic or human origins in 21st century scientific terms. They speak in terms of an Ancient Near Eastern perception of the world, and should be interpreted within that setting. When we discern the meaning of the texts in their ancient context, we find that they constitute a worldview statement about God and his relationship to the world, and about humans and their relation to God and the world. This basic worldview statement transcends its ancient cultural setting, and commands the attention of God’s people in all places and all times.* 

*Adapted from Richard Carlson and Tremper Longman, Science, Creation, and the Bible. Reconciling Rival Theories of World Origins (InterVarsity Press, 2010), Tim Mackie