The Real Creation Story, part 2: Creation of Mankind

The Creation of Mankind

Now we shall consider the creation sequence that exists in Genesis chapter 2. It isn’t as extensive as in chapter 1 and only covers the physical creation or formation of the earth’s fauna and flora.

However, before we begin, let us take a closer look at Genesis 1:26-28:

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth . . ."

The Real Creation Story, part 1: It's All Wrong

It’s All Wrong

This may come as a shock to you, and perhaps you won’t believe it, but a good deal of what we’ve been taught in Sunday School about the creation of the earth is wrong.

However, before you get your knickers up, to quote an old expression, allow me to explain.

If you read Genesis chapters one and two carefully, you should come across a bit of a conundrum: Why are there two creation accounts instead of just one?

Be honest: Have you ever noticed that before? If you did, what did you think about it? That it’s just repetition?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t we been taught since we were toddlers, and for thousands of years before that, that Genesis chapter one chronicles the physical creation of the earth and all that dwells on it?

If that’s so, why, then, are there two separate creation accounts, or at least one whole and one partial account? And the second one in reverse order from the first?

On Being a Biblical Apologist

For those not familiar with the concept of an apologist, I will say a few words. The word apologist is derived from the Greek apologia, meaning, “a speaking in defense” (Webster’s NewWorld Dictionary, Second Concise Edition, 1982). Specifically, it refers to “a person who writes or speaks in defense or justification of a doctrine, faith, action, etc.” (ibid.).

However, the concept most of us are familiar with is found in the second definition of the word apology: “an acknowledgment of some fault, wrong, etc., with an expression of regret” (ibid.). This is not what this blog is all about. (By the way, the first definition of the word apology is essentially the same as that of apologist, so it definitely has the longer history.)