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A review by davehershey
The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John H. Walton
4.0
A great book on how to read Genesis 1. Walton argues that when we look at the ancient context we see that creation is Genesis 1 is not material, rather it is functional. In other words, though Christians believe God created the materials (the stuff), Genesis 1 is about how this stuff was given its functions (jobs). All sides in the debate on Genesis 1 are mistaken then, for they assume create is to create the materials when it actually is to give them function.
From this he argues that Christians can accept any findings that science presents, as Genesis 1 says nothing about science. Science is metaphysically neutral; it has nothing to say about whether there is purpose (as in Christianity) or no purpose (naturalism). Walton challenges scientists to frown as much upon those who interpret the universe to be purposeless and teach this purposelessness in a science classroom as it already is to those who teach it has a purpose along with the Christian message. Scientists should discuss purpose, since life is not value neutral, but this discussion should take place in ethics and philosophy, outside of the science classroom.
Overall, a great book on how to understand Genesis 1 and what such an understanding means in today's culture.
From this he argues that Christians can accept any findings that science presents, as Genesis 1 says nothing about science. Science is metaphysically neutral; it has nothing to say about whether there is purpose (as in Christianity) or no purpose (naturalism). Walton challenges scientists to frown as much upon those who interpret the universe to be purposeless and teach this purposelessness in a science classroom as it already is to those who teach it has a purpose along with the Christian message. Scientists should discuss purpose, since life is not value neutral, but this discussion should take place in ethics and philosophy, outside of the science classroom.
Overall, a great book on how to understand Genesis 1 and what such an understanding means in today's culture.