Creator creates creation - Genesis 1 affirms that (1) God has a powerful purpose for creation; creation is not a mistake; (2) creation is a vulnerable partner whose life is impacted by the voice of the One who cares;

Genesis 1 is not a scientific explanation but a theological affirmation; this is not a historically accurate account of how it “happened,” but rather a claim that a word has been spoken that shapes and transforms reality. [1]

NIB:

The “let us” language - refers to an image of God as consultant of other divine beings; the creation of humankind results from a dialogical act, an inner-divine communication rather than a monological one . . . the ‘let us make’ thus implicitly extends to human beings, for they are created in the image of one who chooses to create in a way that shares power with others. [2]

Gregory of Nyssa (AC 335-394): “He did not say, ‘Let there be a human. . .’ instead, God deliberated about the best way to bring to life a creation worthy of honor.” [3]

What time of day are you most creative? Do you get more done on your “day off” or on “work time”? Do projects wait for a “rainy day” or vacation?

Do you tend to rely most on the intrapersonal (communication within self) or the interpersonal (communication between self and other selves) as a way to solve problems or accomplish tasks?

Under what circumstances to you use the “we” / “our” language when speaking as an individual? What unity does the “we” suggest to you at that moment?

For a sermon on this lesson, please refer to “Creation . . . To Be Continued” in Pulpit Resource (April / May / June 1996): pages 35-37.

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1) Walter Brueggemann, Interpretation: Genesis (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982), page 26.
2) New Interpreter’s Bible I (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994), page 345.
3) Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture I (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001), page 28.