The Bible opens with these words: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” That’s Genesis 1:1. It puts everything in proper perspective. It reminds us who is in charge, who knows what’s going on, and who tells the truth.

If you make something of your own volition, you get to decide what to do with it. No one can tell you that you may only put orchids and not roses in the beautiful vase you crafted. You are free to fill it with dandelions or tadpoles if you wish. You made it, you’re in charge.

God made everything that exists, from the tiniest subatomic particle to the unsearchable far reaches of the universe. God is in charge of what He has made, and can do with it as He pleases. People tend to hate that fact, and many will go to astounding lengths to convince themselves and others that it’s not true.

Ancient creation myths sound quaint to the modern ear, when they mention cosmic eggs, or giant turtles. But 21st century versions are no less peculiar upon close examination. In fact, many traditional stories have a remnant of truth in them, featuring a god or gods creating the earth, people and animals, and having some relationship with them. The modern ‘scientific’ myth, in contrast, says all things came into existence from a bit of nothing, which exploded and became everything, over a really, really long time without any intelligence at all being involved.

Of course, it isn’t phrased like that in school. We learn about the Big Bang and Evolution, which is taught as undeniable fact instead of the wobbly theory it is. Scientists present embryonic recapitulation, the Piltdown Man, and horse evolution charts as proof of the myth, then cast them aside when they are exposed as frauds or just plain wrong. Textbook writers keep rewriting the myth in the most erudite (if not too accurate) language, and each new edition is the authoritative word about how everything got to be as it is. Sigh.

Anyway. It’s understandable that people are reluctant to admit God made them. That would make them accountable to Him. People want to do whatever they like, with no restrictions. So the most comfortable thing to do is make up a worldview in which there’s no One to whom we need be accountable.

But let me exhort my sisters in Christ not to give up the ground of Genesis 1:1 to any person, no matter what string of letters follows his or her name, even if he is in the pulpit at your church. Stand on the truth of “In the beginning, God created…”, and you’ll be on the right path. All other difficulties and questions will eventually yield to prayer and study if we build on this firm foundation.

Below is an excerpt from
“The Buried Life”
By Matthew Arnold, a 19th century poet.

But often, in the world’s most crowded streets,
But often, in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life:
A thirst to spend our fire and restless force
In tracking out our true, original course;
A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of this heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us—to know
Whence our lives come and where they go.