The Bible: Genesis

Regardless of your religious affiliation, the book of Genesis is worth the read. Granted it may not be the most enchanting or enthralling, but it offers insight to many of the universal questions of life, such as the origin of mankind and all the components of the world. (Whether you agree with the arguments of this book is another story.) Genesis goes into depth about the ideas and stories that form the foundation for one of the most popular religions on earth. So if you’re not looking for enlightenment or a closer relationship with God, this piece of literature will at least familiarize you with the fundamental beliefs of Christianity.

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This verse sets the tone for the next eleven or so chapters of the book. These chapters chart the origin of the universe and everything in it, including the oceans and stars. The story of Adam and Eve, the very first humans, is described as well. However, Genesis isn’t merely a list of God’s doings; it provides reasoning and explanations for his actions. Other key events discussed are the fall of man and the Great Flood. The story tells how Adam and Eve succumbed to evil and disobeyed God, thus causing the future generations (us) to be prone to sin. As farfetched as these accounts may seem, they simply show the almighty power of God – one of the key principles of Christianity. The story of the Great Flood is intriguing too, especially since society references to Noah’s Ark in many different mediums. (There is even a water park in Wisconsin Dells named Noah’s Ark!) What may be considered one of the most important details, though, is the covenant, God’s promise of salvation to those who believe in Him.

The remainder of Genesis is patriarchal history, a record of the lives of four men who lived their lives for God – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. These narratives behave as a template for the many followers of God, showing them how to live accordingly. That being said, Genesis was estimated to be written between 1440 to 1400 B.C., but its lessons are still applicable at this point in time.

In a sense, Genesis is the “seed” of the Bible. Many other books of the Bible reference back to people and situations in this first book. Therefore Genesis is a good choice if you have little to no background about the story of God. Genesis provides the basis for all of Christianity, educating Christians and non-Christians alike.