In the beginning

by the Revd Naomi Gardom

In this term’s Bible Study, we’re looking at the book of Genesis, with the help of a new commentary by the novelist, theologian and critic Marilynne Robinson. It’s appropriate that Robinson should have turned her literary thoughts to Genesis, which is the repository of so many of the best stories and tales in the biblical canon. It also feels appropriate to be approaching this at the beginning of the new academic year – the opening words ‘In the beginning’ are among the most famous of literary openings. 

However, what becomes clear if you read Genesis from beginning to end is that this ‘beginning’ is the first of many, many new beginnings. They seem to spring up like mushrooms throughout the text of the book, from the fresh start granted to Noah after the flood, to the multiple re-assertions of God’s promise to Abraham, to the astonishing reconciliation of Joseph with his brothers after their betrayal of him. It is resonant of a line from the other end of the Bible: ‘see, I am making all things new’ (Rev. 21.5). Wherever there is brokenness, God responds with another beginning.

In our liturgy and liturgical calendar, we affirm God’s ability to create newness out of brokenness. In a few short weeks, we will enter a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent, starting once again the cycle of storytelling which takes us from Jesus’ birth in a stable to his ascension into the Godhead. And it’s no coincidence that the beginning of the Church’s year is a season of repentance, of reflecting on our brokenness before we prepare to welcome Christ among us at Christmas. It’s similarly no coincidence that, early on in our Eucharistic liturgy, we share a time of confession, handing over our brokenness to God and receiving a new beginning in return, as preparation for welcoming Christ among us in the bread and the wine.

Why cover this same ground, over and over again? One of the many lessons of Genesis is that human beings are pretty terrible at keeping promises and holding to agreements when we try to rely on our own strength. We are all constantly in need of God’s grace and forgiveness, and we need regular reminders of them too. Following this same pattern every week and every year teaches us that whatever our brokenness, God is always ready with a new ‘in the beginning.’