new creation

I believe Genesis is vital for our world view. It is interesting that the first two chapters provide us with parallel accounts of creation. While there are some stunning differences there is also a remarkable complementary relationship. We live in a scientific age, even if most of us are scientifically illiterate. We still are programed to think in particular ways. We have 'assumptions' about how things work. The place of religion in the modern context has been somewhat caricatured in the  "Secular Liberal" vs. "Literalist Fundamentalist" debates. I wish I knew more about ancient beliefs and assumptions. The more I study Scripture in a historical context the more aware I am of subtle nuances and differences in assumptions.

One example is Noah's ark. There are hundreds of such stories around the world. There were also numerous myths (A loaded word) with which ancient Israel was well acquainted. That is the context for hearing the story of Noah (and not our modern debates on evolution or age of the earth). Stories are about meaning. History for its own sake is a modern idea. Modern history is about (in a good sense) 'gossip' i.e. finding out information about other people's lives. The purpose of history is to find out what happened. The utility of history is to learn lessons from what goes before.

In my Torah studies just finished Exodus and started Leviticus. In chapter 31 we hear the story of Bezalel. The text goes on and on about his wisdom, understood as practical skills in construction. He is tasked, by God, to build everything related to worship. His name, "in the shadow of God" has a root connected to "in the image of God" (Hebrew words build off roots in ways English doesn't--this is why puns are so central to the ancient text). He is filled with the spirit of God (Gen 1:2; 2:7). Construction of the Tabernacle models God's creation of the world. The purpose of the Tabernacle is to have a sacred space, which completes the initial concern with sacred time (the Sabbath).

This is further expanded in Leviticus. God calls to Moses and tells him, "A human ('adam) from you will make an offering to YHWH." Even in English this sort of sounds odd. However, in the next reference the word is "a person" (nefesh) and then later it is "man" ('ish). Not reading in Hebrew or paying attention to such details, this would all escape me. However, the commentary provides this insight. These words occur in the same order in Genesis, making a connection between the texts. [They do not have footnotes] The connection between God creating humans and humans offering sacrifice to God is reciprocal. And foundational. And part of the (re-)new creation. Such subtlties are much more helpful than discussions about dinosaurs. It is probably closer to the actual revelation of God to us.

Worship is sacrifice. In Jesus, the NT system is not repetition of sacrifice but liturgical participation in Christ's cross. In this act we say, "here I am God, do with me as you see fit." The holy meal, Bread and Wine are also Body and Blood (a mystery). It is done in sacred time in a sacred place. It frees us from the limits of a secular mind and gives us much more than a wooden literalism. Fear not, God is.... I pray this day you will enter the holy of holies and worship your God.