As it was in the beginning
In Session 2 we focused on the translation of the notoriously difficult verse 1 -especially that pesky first word. Just how do you translate ” In beginning created God…” – — yes, no “the” in the first clause.
Then we looked at what an alternative translation would be:
When God began to create the heavens and the earth,
Safaria amongst others
the earth was formless and empty,
darkness was over the surface of the deep,
and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And (then) God said ‘let there be light…’
Suggesting that Genesis 1 is NOT the first chapter of the story after all – though we still said that God created everything as per John 1 of course.
Next it was off to a deeper look at “tohu and vabohu” again, this time to see how the words were used elsewhere in the Hebrew bible. We ended with a quick discussion of just what does it mean to be created in God’s image and likeness and why is idolatry such a big no no.
Here are the powerpoints
Origins 3 – In beginning, creatio ex niliho
Origins 4- Positive and negative in gen 1vs2