When we read Genesis 1 as a material story, we form the most natural of conclusions. We conclude that the last thing physically made is the pinnacle of the created world—us! Human beings.
And why wouldn’t we?
From a biblical point of view, only humans bear the image of God. From a scientific perspective, the complexity of human thought, imagination, language, and self-awareness is unmatched within a world perfectly suited for human habitation.
But when we read Genesis 1 as a functional origin story, it leads us to a whole new conclusion. Within this new framework, it's the last thing God orders or organises within creation that becomes the pinnacle.
So, what is that?
Day seven
We're on the fifth article in our Creation series, and this is the first time I've mentioned day seven.
Did you notice this omission?
It wouldn’t surprise me if you hadn’t. Day seven rarely factors into our debates about creation.
Not only does it not appear in Genesis 1, our material origin narrative simply has no need for it. With nothing material being made on the seventh day, the other six days make sense of a physical creation without it.
God made the heavens and the earth in six days. Full stop. Job done.
You can see why we often treat day seven as little more than a cautionary anecdote not to work too hard or a day that God sets aside for us to attend a church service and eat a roast dinner.
A functional origin changes day seven’s influence. In fact, it changes the entire purpose of creation, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
If you’re not yet convinced by a functional reading of Genesis 1, I’m hoping to persuade you by showing you how essential day seven is to the functioning of our world.
