(a) Outline in chronological order the first creation story. [9 marks] (b) Give three reasons why man is regarded as the crown of creation. [6 marks]

Answer Details

(a) The first creation story in chronological order (Genesis 1:1-2:3):

1. Day One: God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the deep. God said, "Let there be light," and separated the light (Day) from the darkness (Night).
2. Day Two: God made the firmament, separating the waters above from the waters below, and called the firmament Heaven (the sky).
3. Day Three: God gathered the waters under the heavens into one place so that dry land (Earth) appeared, and the gathered waters He called Seas. He also caused the earth to bring forth vegetation, plants, and fruit trees.
4. Day Four: God made the two great lights, the sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night, and He made the stars, to mark seasons, days, and years.
5. Day Five: God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply.
6. Day Six: God made the land animals, cattle, creeping things, and beasts; then He created man, male and female, in His own image, and gave them dominion over all creatures. God saw that everything was very good.
7. Day Seven: God rested from all His work and blessed and hallowed the seventh day.

(b) Three reasons why man is regarded as the crown of creation:

• Man was made in the image and likeness of God, possessing reason, will, and a moral and spiritual nature that other creatures do not share.
• Man was given dominion over the fish, birds, animals, and all the earth, appointed as God's steward and ruler over creation.
• Man was created last, as the climax of God's work, after everything else had been prepared for his welfare, and God specially blessed him and communed with him.