Episode Title: Of Trees and Skin: Genesis 1–2 and the God Who Orders Chaos
Hosts: Susan Petersen & Cindy Madsen
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Scripture Study Podcast, Susan Petersen and Cindy Madsen dive deeply into the creation accounts found in Genesis 1 and 2, along with insights from the Books of Moses and Abraham. Rather than asking modern scientific questions of the text, they explore how ancient audiences understood creation—as God bringing order, function, and sacred purpose out of chaos. Along the way, they show how the creation story points directly to Jesus Christ as the “Last Adam” and reveals God as a King establishing His kingdom.
Key Takeaway
The Genesis creation story reveals a God who brings order, meaning, and sacred purpose out of chaos—a King establishing His kingdom and preparing a world where humanity can live, flourish, and ultimately be redeemed through Jesus Christ.
Scripture References Mentioned
Recommended Resources
Episode Timestamps — Creation: Genesis 1–2 and the God Who Orders Chaos
00:00 – Welcome & Podcast Introduction
Susan Petersen and Cindy Madsen welcome listeners and introduce the Scripture Study Podcast.
00:20 – Today’s Topic: The Creation Story
Overview of Genesis 1–2 and related passages from Moses 2–3 and Abraham 4–5.
01:05 – Two Creation Accounts in Genesis
Genesis 1 and 2 as two complementary perspectives of the same creation story.
01:25 – Literary Structure: Inclusio Explained
How ancient authors framed sections of text without punctuation.
02:35 – Cosmic Creation vs. Intimate Creation
Zooming out in Genesis 1 and zooming in with Yahweh Elohim in Genesis 2.
03:15 – Names of God in the Creation Accounts
Elohim, Yahweh Elohim, and insights from the Book of Abraham.
04:20 – Adam and Christ: The Pattern of Redemption
Jesus as the Second or Last Adam (Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15).
05:30 – Adam’s Calling: Prophet, Priest, and King
How Adam’s roles in the garden point forward to Christ.
06:15 – Paul’s Teaching on Adam and Christ
Reading 1 Corinthians 15 and understanding the garden through Paul’s lens.
07:45 – Why Read Genesis Through Christ First
How Christ-centered reading clarifies context and meaning.
08:35 – Reading Genesis in The Message Translation
Why paraphrase can help modern readers hear the story anew.
10:00 – “In the Beginning”: Meaning of Bereshit
The Hebrew word that signals kingship and the start of a reign.
12:00 – God as King Establishing a Kingdom
Creation as the founding of God’s ordered rule.
12:35 – Symbolism in the Creation Story
Why biblical symbolism communicates the inexpressible.
14:15 – Tohu va Bohu: What “Formless and Void” Really Means
Chaos, disorder, and non-function rather than material nothingness.
16:00 – Biblical Examples of Tohu
How scripture uses the word to describe meaninglessness and disorder.
17:30 – Ancient vs. Modern Ways of Seeing Reality
Why ancient people defined existence by function, not material.
19:35 – Functional Ontology Explained
Understanding creati
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