ATSS Presents “Written for Us, but Not to Us”: Genesis 1 in Historical Context
ATSS Presents: Dr. Laurence Turner.
Just as Jesus told apparently simple parables to convey deep spiritual truths, so Genesis 1 (i.e., 1:1–2:4a) uses an easily remembered account to help us reflect on matters of first importance. In this way, it is also like ancient Near Eastern creation stories. For Israel and its neighbors, creation was not a self-contained topic, but an opportunity for exploring the crucial questions of human existence, such as ‘Who am I?’, ‘Why am I here?’, ‘Where am I going?’ The Adventist Today Sabbath Seminar will explore how Genesis 1 relates to and engages with the mythological beliefs of its time. Understanding these connections deepens our appreciation of the biblical account. Failing to understand the historical and religious context in which Genesis arose reduces our ability to appreciate its relevance for us in the 21st century.
Teacher: Laurence Turner is Principal Lecturer Emeritus in Old Testament at Newbold College of Higher Education, Bracknell, England.
