The Biblical accounts of creation in the book of Genesis have been the focus of much apparent conflict between Christians and Scientists.  This series of 11 studies takes a thoughtful look into the text, and identifies how people who accept the scientific accounts of creation can still find deep spiritual wisdom in the Bible’s opening book

1. The Role of 'Genesis' in Society

The book of Genesis has had a great influence on society.  As society’s views of what is “true” have changed over time, so have attitudes to the book.

2. Story outline and origins

Taken as a whole, the book of Genesis tells the story of the partial fulfilment of God’s promise to the Patriarchs.  Rather than being written as a single coherent story, it was ‘edited’ over a prolonged period of time by at least four different groups of people.

3. Picturing the World: Genesis 1

The story of the creation of the world in Genesis 1 differs not only from other Ancient Near Eastern creation stories, but also from the account accepted by modern cosmologists and biologists. How can we best understand it?

4. Adam and Eve and the “Fall”: Genesis 2 and 3

The book of Genesis contains two different accounts of the creation of the first humans. The second of these also contains the well-known account of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. In this and subsequent studies, in addition too Robert Alter’s authoritative translations of the text, R. W. L. Moberley’s insightful readings will be summarised to provide an interpretation that is sympathetic both to the original settings of the stories, and to our modern understanding of the Bible and both the Jewish and Christian faiths.

5. Cain and Abel: Genesis 4

Hoe are we best to respond constructively and in life-giving ways to life’s misfortunes?  The story of Cain and Abel raises the searching existential issue of how one is to respond when apparently unfavoured and tempted to resentment and bitterness.

6. Cataclysm and Grace: Genesis 6 to 9

This is perhaps the most technical of all the studies in this course, and deals with both Noah and the Tower of Babel.    How can Genesis 8:21 (“for the devisings of the human heart are evil from youth”) be reconciled with 1 John 1:5 (“God is light, and there is no darkness at all in God”)?

7. Genesis 12:1-3 -- A Key to Interpreting the Old Testament?

This study moves away from the prehistory of the world in general towards the specific prehistory of Israel by considering the story of God’s call to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, a key passage that is central to both Jews and Christians.

8. Abraham -- Model or Monster? Genesis 22

Abraham’s behaviour as described in the book of Genesis contains much that is scandalous by today’s standards – not least his willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isaak. However, a careful reading of the text provides us with a resource for coping with some of life’s worst extremities.

9. Jacob - the Scoundrel? Genesis 25 to 36

The story of Jacob accounts for nearly 50% of all the words in the book of Genesis. Jacob possessed some admirable characteristics, but also some less praiseworthy ones. It is interesting that although Esau had at least as much to feel aggrieved about with Jacob as Cain did with Abel, when the two brothers were finally re-united in Genesis 33:1-11 Esau behaved much more like the “prodigal son’s” father than like Cain.

10. Is Joseph Wise? Genesis 37 to 50

The story of Joseph has been popularised by the West End musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamboat. But the Biblical account traces Joseph’s growth in both maturity and wisdom from his early and egotistical interpretation of dreams into a recognition that power is for responsible action towards the saving of lives during a famine and a family reunion.

11. What have we Learned in the Course of this Study?

This final summary of the whole course provides an opportunity to reflect on what new insights have developed during the previous ten sessions.

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