Origen - 2 Creations

[PeteZaHut]

I have read about how Origen suggested that the two stories of creation in the Bible means that there were 2 creations, one spiritual and one physical. From the way I understood it, after the spritual creation, some spirits fell far away from God (which became demons), some just fell a little (which became man), and some didn’t fall at all (angels). Does the church accept this now?

 

[Ryckie]

I’m also looking for an answer to the question about what the Church teaches about why there are two stories of Creation in Genesis. I had not heard of Origen, who is that? Thanks

 

[BRB1]

I’m also looking for an answer to the question about what the Church teaches about why there are two stories of Creation in Genesis.

What are the discrepancies in the two accounts … that are causing you angst ?

 

[Ryckie]

Why 2 accounts of Creation? Were they written by the same person? The first story of Creation has the animals created before man, the second story has man created before animals. I read in the footnotes in my bible “The New American Bible” that the second story was actually written first. I’m just very curious and I would like to give a good answer when that question is asked at my Bible study.

 

[Verbum]

Hi All,

Genesis incorporates various traditions extent among the different tribes of Israel. The main ones are the Yahvist (using Yahveh for God) the Elohist (using Elohim for God) and the priestly tradition. They complete one another very well and the discrepancies that one may find are only problems if you give a strictly literal intepretation to every word of Genesis.

Verbum

 

[BRB1]

Why 2 accounts of Creation?

The first story of Creation has the animals created before man, the second story has man created before animals…

Are you speaking of Gen. 2:19 … "So out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them;… ?

Is this single verse the Second Creation story you allude to ?

 

[NotWorthy]

In my opinion, the two Creation accounts show a different aspect of God.

In the first, we have an Almighty God, able to create the stars and the sun with simply a word. He is All-Powerful and awesome!

In the second, this same All-Powerful God is also a master craftman, taking a piece of clay and forming man. Then taking a rib and fashioning woman out of the man.

So, the God of the First Creation Account is God Almighty.
The God of the Second Creation is our loving Father.
Same God, though.

 

[Spirithound]

I have read about how Origen suggested that the two stories of creation in the Bible means that there were 2 creations, one spiritual and one physical. From the way I understood it, after the spritual creation, some spirits fell far away from God (which became demons), some just fell a little (which became man), and some didn’t fall at all (angels). Does the church accept this now?

The spiritual creatures were created before the physical creation, yes. Some of these spiritual creatures fell, and they are called demons. The others are angels. Humans, however, were not part of that spiritual creation. We were always intended to be corporal and spiritual. See, all of the angels and demons that will ever exist have existed since before time, but new human bodies, and the new spirit-souls that animate them, are created every minute.

 

[Ryckie]

Are you speaking of Gen. 2:19 …

Is this single verse the Second Creation story you allude to ?

No, my bible even titles chapter 2:5 as the Second Story of Creation. Verse 5 thru most of chapter 2 is what I’m referring to. I have The New American Bible, I got it at our Church.

 

[buffalo]

In my opinion, the two Creation accounts show a different aspect of God.

In the first, we have an Almighty God, able to create the stars and the sun with simply a word. He is All-Powerful and awesome!

In the second, this same All-Powerful God is also a master craftman, taking a piece of clay and forming man. Then taking a rib and fashioning woman out of the man.

So, the God of the First Creation Account is God Almighty.
The God of the Second Creation is our loving Father.
Same God, though.

Yes, and in one sense referred to as Yahweh and the other sense Elohim.

 

[buffalo]

The first story is about Creation. The second focuses on man.