(The contemporary service — Cross Connect — is having a similar series based on the novel-like continuous narrative of the biblical accounts presented in the book The Story. If your class or small group is studying this, you will need to pick up your copy. Traditional services will share similar themes each week, but will be focused on one scripture/story at a time.)

Every culture around the world has a creation myth. “Myth” here doesn’t mean a fanciful, false story from pre-scientific days, but rather a meta-story or a mega-story that conveys who we are and why we are here. How did we come to be and what are we supposed to be doing?

(By the way, United Methodists do not see a conflict between science and theology for we see how these disciplines speak of reality from totally different angles. How would you describe these different angles?)

The Judeo-Christian faith has two stories and a lot of commentary and celebration. Read the two accounts here Genesis 1:1 - 2:25. What similarities do you notice? What differences? Did you notice a difference in style? Does the first account feel more like a litany said in worship and the second feel like a story you tell around a campfire? Which account are you drawn to more? The Jewish scholars and faithful were not uncomfortable with different accounts and included both. Why do you think they did that?

The main things we ask of these scriptures are: What do these passages say about God? What do they say about humanity? What do they say about you? (We’ll ask these questions again in future weeks.)

What does it mean for us that God made everything on purpose and not by chance, warfare with other gods, or a bi-product of things gone amok (as in some other myths)? How intimate is the interaction between God and the rest of creation? Do we humans have a job, a responsibility, or a purpose? What does it mean that things seem to be so messed up?

I’ll see you Sunday at 9 am in the Sanctuary. I would love to get your comments or questions. Just click here.