The accounts of creation in the book of Genesis have always faced opposition from scientific approaches. People have different methods of reading and interpreting creation accounts while seeking the light of truth. Our cultural beliefs significantly influence the inspiration of biblical teachings within the society in truth matters (McGrath, Wright, & Polkinghorne, n.d). The Bible is a library of different messages with varying information; thus, two people reading a similar account can interpret the biblical truth differently (Clifford, 1985). In the light of truth, scientific approaches focus on analyzing events that happened over time to assert the creation accounts. One needs to learn the conservative approach to biblical interpretation, especially in the book of Genesis.
The traditional approach is reading the bible by acknowledging all creation accounts to be factual and occurred over a long period. The Hebrews employed dramatization to tell stories in the light of truth since they did not have fictional or nonfictional knowledge (Clifford, 1985). God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh day in the first creation accounts. In a conservative approach, all the activities during creation are actual and took millions of years to be successful. It also determines the modern perception of the truth because it is believable that the bible is a historical document written by individuals inspired by God (Clifford, 1985), hence the holy trinity (the father, son, and holy spirit). Contrary, the modern interpretation of truth results in the withdrawal of one’s spiritual beliefs since the bible does not have tangible evidence to support the account of creation.
It is evident that the relationship between God and humankind depends on the personal interpretation of Genesis 1; it suggests that God created heaven and earth, where he placed humans to serve for his glory. Ancient Israel interprets the bible as a historical truth that allows humankind to connect with the supreme being within the spiritual context (Clifford, 1985). As a result, interpreting Genesis in the line of scientific approaches compromises one’s cultural belief of the truth (Objective Bob 2012). Unlike the scientific theory of creation, which focuses on timelines, the accounts of creation in Genesis are a profound truth that sets the basis of Christianity. The literal approach to Genesis questions the validity of creation accounts because we read the text as it is interpreted to us by other cultures (Objective Bob, 2012). If one decides to read Genesis in its literal meaning, most of the Genesis events may lose their meaning since its translations do not account for other cultures. Cultures worldwide have different accounts of creation linked to Genesis from a literal point of view.
Consequently, it is comprehensive and practical to interpret the biblical accounts from a conservative point of view because it promotes the Christian culture and truth on the origin of humanity or material property (Clifford, 1985). Despite the technique of approaching the book of Genesis, most translation acknowledges the intimate relationship between God and the origin of man (Objective Bob, 2012). Therefore, an individual seeking the truth should consider reading Genesis from a conservative perspective because it ensures the retainment of Christian beliefs on creation stories while interpreting the truth from a personal perspective like the Hebrews in ancient Israel (Clifford, 1985). As a result, the literal approach to Genesis is likely to be rejected since it undermines the actual accounts of creation as Christians believe. In conclusion, as a Christian, the Genesis accounts of creation provide methodologies that can significantly influence how we conduct and relate to each other.
References
Clifford, R.J. (n.d). “Truth in Ancient Israel and Contemporary America.” Theological Studies.
McGrath, A., Wright, N.T., & Polkinghorne. J. (n.d). “Science and Genesis.” Video Transcript.
Objective Bob. (2012). Science and Genesis – N.T. Wright, John Polkinghorne, Allister McGrath. YouTube. Web.