Genesis 2 The 2 nd story of Creation

Genesis 2: The 2 nd story of Creation What theological truths did Gen. 1 teach us? To explain theological truths in Gen 2 • There is a SECOND creation story in the Bible. • It is different! It does not talk about 7 days. . .

Read the story. What already existed when this story begins? a. b. c. d. How is man made? What 2 tasks is he given? Why is woman made? How does this show that woman is equal to man? S&C* What is this Creation story more focussed on, compared to Gen. 1?

How are the stories different? Gen 2 The creation of Adam Gen 1 The Seven Days A. focusses on how everything in universe was made by God from nothing (formless void) 1. Put the points under the correct story. 2. Which story do you prefer? Why? E. God never appears as an actual character in this story – only a voice. B. explains why woman was made C. God appears and acts more like a human person in this story (anthropomorphic) D. explains humans’ relationship to creation more - animals (names them) ; earth (to till it) F. main focus is the creation of humans G. explains the dignity of humans as made in the image of God H. describes the order and organisation of all the different aspects of creation J. emphasises relationship between man and woman as equal soulmates

Theological Truths in Gen. 2 “God made man out of dust, and blew into his nostrils the breath of life”. “God brought all the animals to man to name them, and commanded him to till the earth and take care of it”. “No animal could be a suitable helper for man so God made woman out of the sleeping man’s rib. ‘Truly’, said the man, ‘this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh’”. A. This quote is telling us that man is special – God has breathed His own spirit into Man, to make him like God. But it also means that being of dust, man eventually return to dust. B. This quote is telling us that woman and man are soulmates and helpmates for each other, and no animals can be his equals. C. This quote is telling us that man is above all other animals and has been given responsibility over all the creation, and to use it well. Write out each quote and match it, to explain what theological truth it is telling us S&C* Out of all theological truths in both stories (Gen 1 and Gen 2), which is most important to know?

Recap Theological Truths Match the up with lines on your sheet. Stick in your sheet. S&C* What would you answer someone who said that the Genesis stories ‘are just bad science’?

The Gensesis stories are just bad science. Discuss. Examples? Not science at all – Genesis is about theological truths. Examples?