On this site, you can read about, comment on and contribute to my ongoing reflections as I wrestle with questions about God, Faith, Life, The Bible, Church and Theology.
All in Genesis
The very first choice in the Bible involves food and I don’t know about you but I find this simple story really easy to relate to. I really like food and really enjoy cooking. But, particularly when I’m at home for an evening by myself, I will often reach for the zero effort, don’t have to think, I want it so I’ll take it kind of food…
The early chapters of Genesis contain a number of stories about people attempting to become God(s) in their own right and on their own terms. In each case, the narrative exposes both the foolishness of and the deeply painful consequences of such ventures. What’s strange and ironic though, is that these people were invited to enjoy god-like status, power and authority. In fact we all are… But what does that truly mean? And how can we learn from the stories of those who have reached for it and failed?
As I’ve reflected on the many distressing stories filling up my social media this week, of those I know and love being on the receiving end of such toxic-masculine culture, I have been reminded of the various biblical accounts of women who’s stories have been uncomfortably exposed for all posterity. In many ways, nothing has changed… To those men reading; we have to stand up and take notice…
There is a beautiful linguistic quirk in the Bible that I’ve been mulling over for a while now. It has to do with the continual use of subtle directional language. It turns out this is all over the canon but is often subtle and so not always linked up and fully appreciated. The more I’ve followed this grammatical thread through the scriptures the more intriguing, pervasive and profound it has become.
I’ve been having many conversations with young people recently about my thoughts on the first few chapters of Genesis and what they tell us about our beginnings. So here is a brief outline of what I believe, the gaps in my thinking, and what challenges the youth have given me...
