Genesis is both literal (concrete) and metaphorical (abstract). The Genesis narrative is a rather intricate narrative articulating many themes. One need not settle on whether Genesis is literal or metaphorical. It can be concrete in the sense that it is physical, and definite, and an abstraction similar to an idea. You can refer metaphorically to a concrete physical entity, or you can refer literally to an abstraction. For instance, Jesus parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-33). It is a fictional story with a very literal meaning. This is similar with Genesis. I see Genesis as an abstraction articulating concretely literal truths that God constructed the heavens and the earth as dwelling place (a temple) and the last thing you do in a temple is put an image of the God in it (humans -- image bearers). Instead of Genesis creating the earth in literal 24 hour days, Genesis is actually about God constructing the heavens and the earth, a temple, a place He wants to dwell and putting humans into this construct as a way of reflecting His love into the world and drawing glory and praise from the world back unto Himself. That is one of the literal meanings of Genesis as told via abstraction. - Have give credit to N.T. Wright for such a beautiful explanation of Genesis.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 20:03:12 +0000
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