
Graham Holcomb
- If you find yourself befuddled on how a Christian should understand Genesis 1 in the 21st century, especially in the light of current science, consider checking out "In the Beginning We Misunderstood" by Johnny Miller and John Soden. Miller and Soden remind the readers that the Bible is a theological book, not a science book, and thus, it must be read looking for theological truths, not scientific truths. Therefore, Miller and Soden do not even attempt to address any scientific issues. Instead, Miller and Soden help the reader understand Genesis 1 as the original audience would have understood it. Miller and Soden do not put Genesis 1 in light of modern science, but rather, they put it in the light of the competing ancient cosmologies from Egyptian mythology and Mesopotamian mythology. From comparing and contrasting Genesis 1 to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian mythology, Miller and Soden reveal the theology Moses wanted to teach the Israelites about God. A good to learn how our God revealed how different he was from the gods of Egypt and Mesopotamia.