The Lost World of Genesis 1 by John Walton

In this book John Walton presents the reader with a compelling exegesis of Genesis 1, focusing on Gods creation of the function and order of the cosmos, rather than the typical account of its seven-day material creation. John delves into the world-view and mindset of the different civilizations of that ancient time period and shows how the author of Genesis would have presented its cosmological story with that “first” audience in mind.

Genesis 1 sets the stage for presenting the function and inauguration of a cosmic temple in which God would dwell, which in turn leads to man being made in his image (and ultimately to being called living temples), and how the seven day pattern of Genesis 1 naturally lends itself to the order and function of what was to become the Jewish temple system.

In taking this approach to interpreting the ancient cosmology of the creation story, the serious Bible student is not obliged to reject scientific evidence of biological evolution or the geological age of the earth to fit a theological paradigm of a material, literal seven-day creation account, because that was never the intent of its author. Instead the Lost World of Genesis 1 works in a realist way with the cosmic ontology of the text, allowing its natural structure of function to build its purpose.

This book has proved to be a very interesting read, written in a flowing, and fluent style that draws the reader into a new understanding of how the mind of ancient man may have viewed the cosmos of Genesis 1. Be prepared to let go of long held traditional interpretations in light of new information regarding the meaning of the text of Scripture.