Book of Genesis – New International Version, Essay Example

The Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, New International Version, is one of the most sacred and revered texts in existence. In particular, chapters one and two are relevant because they describe God’s creation of heaven and earth and what this represents from a historical point of view. Various versions of the bible are represented by different interpretations of how these events took place, and are worthy of further consideration and evaluation. It is known that chapter one of Genesis explores the very beginnings of God’s creations, beginning with the first lines of the text: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31). This description conveys an understanding of God as he sought to create the foundation of all things, thereby laying the groundwork for what would come next in the process.

Chapter one continues with God’s creation of light to counteract the darkness, and then bodies of water, whereby living and breathing creatures could drink and also move about (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31.). God continues with the creation of various animals which inhabit the earth and walk its grounds (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31). When God made the decision to create man, humans were intended to be leaders and the example of all things living and breathing, but with a higher level of intelligence (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31). Therefore, God’s plan was to establish the human race to ensure that all living things could be governed and led by a more advanced species, a higher power of sorts (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31). God bestowed his blessing upon man and created food so that man and other living things could grow and thrive accordingly (New International Version, Genesis 1.1-31).

In Chapter 2 of Genesis, God’s creation of Adam and Eve symbolizes the creation of man and woman and their true human nature (New International Version, Genesis 2.1-25). It is important to recognize that this chapter lays the groundwork for Adam and Eve’s infallible nature as human beings. However, God’s creation of man and woman is a step towards a human existence filled with love and respect, but also with sin, the precursor for many types of human behavior. God’s creation of the heavens, the earth, living creatures, and human beings represent one strong and steadfast perspective in regards to how human beings were put on earth. For many religious believers, the story of creation is the only acceptable premise, and this text remains sacred for many believers. This text is also written and interpreted in different ways, depending upon the version under consideration. Therefore, Genesis is a highly interpretive text for many readers, with differences even in the sequence of events that took place during the time of creation.

The differences in how the Book of Genesis is written and interpreted support a variety of cultural and religious beliefs that continue today. There are continued supporters who believe in these different interpretations; however, the general concepts written in these variations remain relatively similar. Therefore, believers in the Bible must make the decisions that are necessary to ensure that their beliefs remain sacred and unwavering. This process is important because it reflects a series of necessary perspectives which enable readers to make their own decisions regarding how the events of creation took place. The book of Genesis serves as a key reminder of how human beings came to light many years ago.

There is a general consensus by many religious persons that the story of creation, even with minor differences in interpretation, remains as the cornerstone of the relationship between God and human beings. His creation of man led to sin, and this created an entirely different perspective regarding humanity and the evolution of sin. These efforts also support the development of other factors which are often viewed in the context of religious beliefs from a humanistic point of view. Although there are subtle differences between different versions of the bible, there are also significant opportunities to conduct one’s life as God planned, using the Bible as a guiding force. The sacred nature of this text demonstrates that human beings who support this framework may believe in differences in the details, but the primary concepts of creation remain the same. Believing in the story of creation outlined in the Book of Genesis is an important opportunity to explore the different dimensions of creation and how man first came about. The traditional story of creation described in the Book of Genesis also conveys the belief that God created man, and that no other possible explanations are valid. From this perspective, all ideas and concepts associated with the Book of Genesis are sacred, and are integrated into many human belief systems in regards to how man first evolved, committed the first sin, and repented for this sin through prayer. The story of creation provides a basis for exploring the different elements of man and what took place immediately after creation. This practice supports the development of different beliefs which are conveyed throughout the life span.

Works Cited

Genesis. In New International Version. Biblegateway.com, 2012. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201-2&version=NIV