5. Interpretations of Genesis

Lesson on 07/10/25

What does Genesis mean

Genesis = beginning. It describes the beginning of the universe. It is the first book in the Bible and says that God created the world. It is also used in Islam and Judaism.

Fundamentalist Christians

Read the Bible and believe it literally because it is ‘God breathed’ (the Bible is ‘God’s breath’.

Example: Fundamentalist Christians would believe the world was created in exactly 6 days by God in the exact order written in the Bible.

What are the problems with literal views (2)

1. The Bible can be seen as culture bound, the understanding of the universe and science was limited at the time.

2. Modern science provides other ways e.g. Big Bang Theory.

What is the Big Bang theory

Scientific theory about the origins of the universe - that the universe was created in a huge explosion.

Liberal Christians

They believe that God created the world and used the Big Bang theory as a starting point.

Example: They don’t take Genesis literally because it is just a story to them.

What piece of evidence can support liberal Christians and allow them to still follow the Bible?

The Hebrew word ‘Yom’ doesn’t mean ‘day’ - it means ‘period of time’. This means evolution can be true because God didn’t create each thing in a literal day, so liberal Christians can still follow the Bible.