Religion concepts and historical perspectives

¶ … Holy Bible begins with the Book of Genesis, the account of mans creation. Many religions and their followers have recounted the stories of Genesis throughout history, basing principles, education, and values upon the words within. Yet by closely examining the two stories of creation, one can begin to see that there are two different versions of the story of man, and that these two stories are sometimes in contrast with one another.

In Genesis 1, verses 1 through 2, as well as 4, the name "Elohim" refers to the name of the creator. Yet in Genesis 2, 4-25, the word "Yahweh" refers to the creator. This tends to suggest, from the very start, that the stories are two different ones, rather than extensions of one another. If they had been two accounts of the same story, the names would be the same.

In the first story of Genesis, verses 2-24, God made the heavens and then earth, and then made the light, night and day, the sky, dry ground, and the seas. He continued, next creating the plants, moon and sun, and the stars. He then created the fish and birds, and other land bound animals, then man.

However, in the second story of Genesis, there is a different account of the order in which things were created. In Genesis 2, verses 4 through 23, God begins with the earth and the heavens, as in Genesis 1. He then creates the seas. The next step of creation in this account is the creation of man. After man, God created the plants and animals, in essence, for man to use. He then created woman, to aid man.

There appears to be a difference, as well, in how God creates. In Genesis 1, verses 1-2, 4, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, God creates by stating his wishes (for example, "Let there be light" in verse 3). In Genesis 2, verse 7, God creates man from dust, and breathes life into his body. So, in Genesis 2, there is work on the part of God to create life after creating the physical presence, whereas in genesis 1, God's wishes are fulfilled without effort.

This also leads to show the difference in the creation of woman. In the first Genesis, man and woman were created together. Genesis 1, verse 27, states, "So God created man in his own image. In the image of God, he created him, males and female together, he created them." Yet in Genesis 2, verses 7-25, the bible gives an account in which God creates man first, then creates woman.

Also, in Genesis 1, verse 20, God makes man in his own image. In Genesis 2, verse 7, God creates man from the dust of the earth, and woman from the man. The first chapter shows man as god-like, the second as God's creation of a lesser being.

There is also discrepancy in the tasks of man. In Genesis 1, verse 28, God instructs man to "be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it." God goes on to instruct man that he is to rule over the land, and that all forms of life are for man to use as food. In Genesis 2, verse 15, God takes man into the garden to "work it and take care of it." In the first version, God is instructing man to control the earth, and in the second, God is telling man to take care of it. In the second story, God gives man rules to abide by, and tasks to perform. In the first, God empowers man over the earth.

The two stories of creation seem to have a main underlying theme difference. In the first account of creation, there is a majestic theme, one in which God's creations are seemingly effortless, and done with power and greatness. Man is the last creature God creates, and he does so in his own image, thus making man godlike. The verses of the first story tend to make man rulers of the earth, and free. In the second, man is created first, and is given tasks and rules to follow. Man is portrayed as subservient to God, and woman as subservient to both man and God.