Introduction to the Book of Genesis

1. Introduction to the Book of Genesis The Bible Course, Unit 3 Document #: TX001074

2. Overview of Genesis • Genesis is not intended to be read as a detailed, chronological account of history. • Genesis is an account steeped in truth and meaning. • Chapters 1–11 of Genesis contain stories known as primeval history,meaning they refer to the time before writing and the recording of historical data. © Saint Mary’s Press, artwork by Vicki Shuck

3. Overview of Genesis • Genesis, along with the other four books of the Pentateuch • illustrate God as the source of all creation • explain the role of humans in the origin of sin and its many devastating effects • show God’s desire to be in communion with people • emphasizes the lasting effect of the Covenant God formed with Abraham Image in public domain

4. Creation • The Trinity was intimately involved in creation, but “the work of creation is attributed to the Father in particular” (CCC, 316). • “God alone created the universe freely, directly, and without any help” (CCC, 317). • Creation illuminates the holiness and goodness of all that was created. • The glory of God lies within each of his creations. Sometimes God’s glory is visible and at other times it is invisible. Image in public domain

5. Creation It is important to note: • We are God’s holy and good creation, even when we don’t feel like it. • All creation bears the mark of God. God is present inour world. There is not a place God cannot be, even in difficult times or times of great mistakes. We are never completely alone. • All creation is the good work of God. When people disrespect God’s creation, they also disrespect God. © shutterstock / waniuszka

6. God’s Desire for Humanity • God made the first person from the earth and breathed life into him. • God “took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15). • God created woman from man, and the man said, “This one . . . is bone of my bones / and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). • God “gave man this order: ‘You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die’”(Genesis 2:16–17).

7. God’s Desire for Humanity It is important to note: • The Creation stories teach us that free will is essential to being human. • They also show us what God had originally planned for us before we sinned. God wanted us to be close to him and live in paradise, but did not want to force our choice. Image in public domain

8. The Fall of Humanity • The serpent tempts, “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad” (Genesis 3:4–5). • We were created to live according to God’s laws. In other words, we are created to be in right relationship with God and others. • God gave man and woman all they needed, including life itself. Their disobedience to God’s one rule disrespected their Creator and showed a desire to be equal to him.

9. Sin and God’s Response • Missing the mark, falling short, brokenness, wrongdoing, misdeed, an offense against truth: these are ways of describing the reality of sin. • Sin is any deliberate offense, in thought, word, or deed, against the will of God. • We were created to live in right relationship with God.

10. Sin and God’s Response • The choice to give in to the devil’s temptation and disobey God marks the first sin in salvation history. Adam and Eve’s sin is called Original Sin and is often referred to as “the Fall.” • The term Original Sin has two meanings: • The sin of the first human beings who disobeyed God’s command by choosing to follow their own will and causing them to lose their original holiness and become subject to death • The fallen state of human nature that affects every person born into the world

11. Sin and God’s Response There are two kinds of sins: venial and mortal: • Sin is considered venial when it is less serious and repairable by charity. • Mortal sin is a serious transgression of a person’s relationship with God and neighbors. Mortal sin hinders an individual’s potential for love and eternal life.

12. Cain and Abel What do you know about Cain and Abel? • The effects of Original Sin continue in the story of Cain and Abel. • Eve recognizes God’s blessing in Cain’s birth. • God warns Cain against resentment and anger. • Cain kills Abel despite God’s warning. • Cain lies to God. • Cain is banned from farming, paralleling Adam and Eve’s banishment from the Garden. • God neither kills Cain nor allows others to kill him—revenge would be the same sin Cain committed. Image in public domain

13. The Flood What do you know about Noah and the Flood? • In the story of Noah and the Flood, human beings fall prey to the sinful and evil ways of the world. • Following the Flood a rainbow appears as a sign of God’s Covenant with Noah and all living beings. God’s Covenant with Noah is an “everlasting covenant” that “will remain in force as long as the world lasts” (CCC, 71). • The Covenant with Noah foreshadows God’s Covenant with Abraham. • God chooses Noah to escape the Flood because of his obedience to God’s Law and respect for creation. Image in public domain

14. Tower of Babel What do you know about the Tower of Babel? • In the account of the Tower of Babel, power-hungry people of different nations together attempt to build a tower that will reach the heavens. • Longing to be like God, lured by the hope to be famous, and forgetting about their covenantal relationship with God, nothing will stop the people from building a self-serving tower of greed—nothing except the hand of God. • God stops the people from building the tower by confusing their speech, making it impossible for them to communicate and effectively carry out their plan. Image in public domain

15. Important Teaching What do you feel are the most important things to remember from this presentation?

16. Important Teachings • God created the earth and humanity as good. • The history of our interaction with God began with God’s initiative in the Creation. • Disobedience caused Original Sin, leading to humanity’s Fall. • Disrespect for humanity and life is disrespect for God, the Creator, as shown in the story of Cain and Abel. • God respects those who respect his creation and law (rules), as shown in the story of Noah.

17. Important Teachings • God desires to be in relationship with humanity, as shown by the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah. • These stories are the opening moments of salvation history and the reason for it. • God did not abandon humanity at the Fall. Instead, salvation history began at this point to help humanity return to a committed relationship with God. • Salvation history records humanity’s relationship with God through a series of promises, or covenants, in which both God and humanity have responsibilities.