Truth in the Genesis Story of Creation

Truth in the Genesis Story of Creation

This picture shows a woman's hand holding an apple. If this meant to be Eve's hand, that is not true. Even though most people say 'apple', the biblical text said 'fruit'. This is just one example of how we develop false ideas about the stories in Genesis 1-3.   

As Catholics, we have a very rich understanding of layers of truth when it comes to scripture. We don't get bogged down in a strictly literal interpretation. The church fathers taught us to find truth in the literal, allegorical, moral and anagogical sense of the Word of God.

Here are three more types of truth contained in the first few chapters of the Bible. 

Historical Truth

The catechism spells out in straightforward language that creation of the world and of human beings is a historical act of God. Most people think of creation as a historical point in time. However, creation is ongoing. With every cycle of the seasons we see creation unfold and with every generation human beings are created. But the two quotes below from the catechism are referring to the historical moment in time when something began. The words 'primordial’ and ‘primeval’ make that clear.

Nothing exists that does not owe its existence to God the Creator. The world began when God's word drew it out of nothingness; all existent beings, all of nature, and all human history are rooted in this primordial event, the very genesis by which the world was constituted and time began. -CCC 338

The word 'primordial' here means from the beginning in time. This seems to imply the Big Bang theory is when God brought something out of nothing.

The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man. Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents. -CCC 390

'Primeval' here means at the earliest ages in the history of the world. The door is left open for human beings to come into existence after some time of the earth’s development. 

Theological Truth

The two stories of creation in Genesis chapter one and two reveal a deep spiritual meaning. Lying under the surface of the literal meaning we find the spiritual meaning in the forms of the allegorical, moral and anagogical (with a view to the end of time) meanings. Theological truth in Genesis focuses on what the text is revealing about God and about how we can relate to God. Here are ten basic theological truths extracted from Genesis chapters 1-3…

1. God is good and his love spills out from the family of the Trinity into creation. This answers, ‘Why is there something rather than nothing?’

2. All that exists is created by Almighty God. He created everything out of nothing through his Word.

3. There was a special and direct creation of man, done by the spirit or breath of God. Humans are made in God’s image and have dominion over creation as responsible stewards. 

4. God was pleased with everything He created. At the end of each day, God appraised His work and said it was all good except Adam being alone. That was the only thing that was not good.

5. Human beings are created as male and female to be in a complimentary relationship of life giving love.

6. Every human being coming into the world to the present day is likewise a special and direct creation, being endowed with an immortal soul by God. There are no accidental people. Infusion of soul happens at conception.

7. All creation is held in existence by the ongoing providential care of the Creator. Creation is ongoing and under the direction of God. God is not indifferent but personally involved.

8. Humans have a fallen nature due to this original sin…We now live in a fallen world with disorder, pain, suffering, sickness, death and evil.  

9. This fallenness is brought about by the free choice of angels and people to choose against God.  

10. We need help. We are in need of God’s saving grace.

Symbolic Truth

By symbolic truth I mean ways that the text uses concrete pictures or imagery to evoke an idea or a memory of a different, abstract thing. Here are important six symbols in the first three chapters of Genesis. 

1. The Garden: Symbol of being in the presence of God. In communion with God is paradise. The beatific vision.

2. Breath of God: The word Ruah means both Wind and breath.  Also, Ruah is used to describe the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. The Breath of God becomes a life giving, animating soul breathed into Adam as one made in his image. 

3. Tree and fruit: The anti-type of the cross with Jesus as food source (Eucharist). The choice between good and evil.

4. The dialogue between Eve and the Serpent: This reveals a prototype of all sin and temptation. The root is pride. A false, inverted idea of freedom and happiness is presented. The world, the Devil and others are a source of temptation. There's an abuse of the gift of free will.

5. The Serpent: The Devil, evil as not just an absence of good but as a real force that is active, cunning, smart and deadly.

6. Side of Adam/Rib: Man and woman are equal in dignity before God. Like Christ’s side opened on the cross, Adam’s rib is formed into his bride. Christ’s bride, the Church is built up of both water (Baptism) and blood (Eucharist).