Genesis 2
Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
Genesis 2:7
Required Reading
Devotional
Have you ever wondered why humans are so unique? Among the animal kingdom, humanity distinguishes itself from the rest. Yes, we too are mammals who give live birth, are warm blooded and produce milk for our young, but it's clear that humanity on the whole is an entirely different species.
In fact, (and be prepared to read quotes from this book often this year), I love the way James Emory White put it.
So why is that the case? How did humanity come to be and why is it so unique? Well Genesis 2 gives us that answer by telling us, God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. You also may recall in Genesis 1 that mankind was made in the image of God himself, carrying that distinction alone in the order of creation.
But I know what you're thinking, why would I believe God simply created mankind from the ground? What about all the scientific evidence that points to evolution as the process by which mankind was created? How do I reconcile Genesis 2 with Darwin's evolutionary theory?
Well I'm glad you asked.
Did you know that as recently as 2019, Pew Research Center discovered that a majority of Christians "agree that human evolution is real--and that God had a hand in it"? Perhaps the answer is simply that both animals and humanity have evolved and changed over time and God is responsible for how it happened.
Let me quote my friend James Emory White once more.
The question I think we must consider is whether both Genesis 2 and Darwin's theory of evolution can both be true? Does the idea that humanity has evolved over time reject the idea that God is responsible for the creation of mankind? And does Genesis 2 definitively declare that God created man in the form that we know and recognize today?
This idea is not universally agreed upon among Christians today so I encourage you to decide for yourself. Take this moment to reflect on what you believe about the origin of mankind and why you believe it. Review some of the resources below and ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
In fact, (and be prepared to read quotes from this book often this year), I love the way James Emory White put it.
Humans really are different from every other living creature. People who say there's really not much difference between human beings and chimps, because humans are just slightly remodeled chimpanzee-like apes sharing about 99.4 percent of their DNA, lose me. As John Ortberg once noted, "If you really believe that yourself, or if you wonder if that's really true, just ask yourself if you would have a chimpanzee babysit one of your children. Would you date one? Would you hold one morally accountable for its behavior?"
-James Emory White, Christianity for People Who Aren't Christians p. 37
So why is that the case? How did humanity come to be and why is it so unique? Well Genesis 2 gives us that answer by telling us, God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. You also may recall in Genesis 1 that mankind was made in the image of God himself, carrying that distinction alone in the order of creation.
But I know what you're thinking, why would I believe God simply created mankind from the ground? What about all the scientific evidence that points to evolution as the process by which mankind was created? How do I reconcile Genesis 2 with Darwin's evolutionary theory?
Well I'm glad you asked.
Did you know that as recently as 2019, Pew Research Center discovered that a majority of Christians "agree that human evolution is real--and that God had a hand in it"? Perhaps the answer is simply that both animals and humanity have evolved and changed over time and God is responsible for how it happened.
Let me quote my friend James Emory White once more.
First, the Bible doesn't say how God created, only that he created. And it talks about the creation of human beings in a very literary, poetic way using phrases like "from the dust of the earth" and receiving "the breath of life." That doesn't exactly sound like it is trying to be a biology text, does it? Evolution is one of the leading theories in science for the "how" we were created." ... If God used evolution as part of his creative process, so be it.
-James Emory White, Christianity for People Who Aren't Christians p. 31
The question I think we must consider is whether both Genesis 2 and Darwin's theory of evolution can both be true? Does the idea that humanity has evolved over time reject the idea that God is responsible for the creation of mankind? And does Genesis 2 definitively declare that God created man in the form that we know and recognize today?
This idea is not universally agreed upon among Christians today so I encourage you to decide for yourself. Take this moment to reflect on what you believe about the origin of mankind and why you believe it. Review some of the resources below and ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
Reflection Questions
- How do you personally reconcile the biblical account of creation with scientific theories like evolution?
- What does it mean to you that humans are made in God's image? How does this impact your view of human value and dignity?
- James Emory White suggests the Bible doesn't specify "how" God created, only that He did. How does this perspective affect your understanding of Genesis?
- Discuss the quote about comparing humans to chimpanzees. What are your thoughts on this analogy?
- How might accepting both divine creation and evolution as compatible impact our conversations with non-believers about faith and science?
- What are some unique human characteristics that you believe reflect our creation in God's image?
Go Deeper
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