Psalm 24:1–2 echoes this truth: "The earth is Yahweh’s, as well as its fullness, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." Everything belongs to God. He created it all, and He sustains it. In Genesis 1–4, we only glimpse the incredible care and power with which God fashioned the world and humankind.
If you’ve been attending our church for any length of time, you know my deep conviction that the book of Genesis is the bedrock of biblical doctrine. From the opening verses of Scripture, Genesis reveals the power of God in creation. Yet, it deeply concerns me how many Christians today fail to acknowledge the significance of God's creative power. Worse still, some prominent Bible teachers like William Lane Craig and Tim Keller dismiss Genesis as mere poetry, pointing instead to modern science as the ultimate authority on the earth's origins.
This dismissal of the biblical creation account has trickled into mainstream culture, where Genesis is often regarded as a myth or outright falsehood. Sadly, the church has not been immune to this drift. Over the past 150 years, there has been a steady erosion of trust in the truth of Genesis, culminating in a cultural shift towards naturalistic explanations for life and the universe. A turning point was the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial. William Jennings Bryan’s clumsy response to the question, "Where did Cain get his wife?" left the church vulnerable to mockery and skepticism. Since then, the church has largely neglected to defend the doctrine of a six-day creation, and in doing so, it has also undermined the power of God and the significance of man.
This neglect has grave consequences. When the foundational truths of Genesis are abandoned, it becomes easier to justify societal evils, including the devaluation of human life. I would argue that ignoring Genesis has led many Christians to support pro-choice candidates and endorse policies that embrace a culture of death. But a literal, historical reading of Genesis 1–11 leaves no room for such thinking. These chapters affirm the value of human life, making it impossible to support abortion, euthanasia, or any marginalization of life. Genesis also demolishes the lie of racism, revealing that all humans are made in the image of God.
Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This profound statement leaves no doubt—God is the Creator of the universe. As you continue reading the chapter, you encounter the repeated phrase, "Then God said." Each time, God speaks, and creation obeys. Light, sky, land, plants, and animals come into existence by His word. And on the sixth day, He created mankind, the pinnacle of His creation, in His image.
Psalm 24:1–2 echoes this truth: "The earth is Yahweh’s, as well as its fullness, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." Everything belongs to God. He created it all, and He sustains it. In Genesis 1–4, we only glimpse the incredible care and power with which God fashioned the world and humankind.
God's creation was not only powerful but also intentional and deeply intimate. Genesis 2:7 tells us that God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. Later, God created the woman from the man’s rib, bringing her to him as his perfect companion. This intimacy in creation reflects the unique value and dignity of human life.
Fast-forward to Genesis 4, and we see the continuation of this intimacy as man and woman join together in procreation. Genesis 4:1 says, "Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain." The word "knew" speaks of the deep bond between husband and wife—a holy union that brings forth new life. Though the process of procreation differs from the original act of creation, it is still a profound partnership with God in bringing life into the world. Procreation is a partnership, yet we must recognize God as the power behind bringing about new life.
As we reflect on the power of God in creation, we must also consider the sanctity of life. From conception to death, human life is precious because it bears the imprint of the Creator. In Psalm 139, David provides a vivid picture of God’s intimate involvement in the formation of life within the womb. Through divine revelation, David understood what modern science has only recently begun to grasp—that human life is fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by God’s hand. This truth demands that we honor and protect life at every stage.
When we lose sight of God's power in Genesis, we lose sight of human life's value. But when we stand firm on the foundation of Scripture, we affirm that life, from its very beginning, is a precious gift from the Creator, deserving of our protection and honor. Let us never forget that truth.