Points lessen burden on Noah’s Ark

The letter by Glen P. Hendricks of 3/9/18 asking for help with understanding presented a new thought to me. It is hard for me to think of Genesis chapters 1 and 2 as totally separate accounts of creation with a different order of creation. Trying to understand it as presented by Glen raises more questions and doubts.

As I have understood it, chapter one gives a macro view of creation and it’s order. Chapter two zeros in on the crowning act of creation, the creation of man a being with the capability to be like his creator, (Gen. 1:27). It ennobles mankind by showing the personal care invested by the creator and the inherent abilities suggested. Having the image of God suggests the qualities of imagination or mind. In the New Testament we are encouraged to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:1-5) as god is trying to redeem us and restore us to the estate from which mankind has fallen.

As to getting all of the different kinds of animals on Noah’s ark, modern science has some good suggestions in the field of genetics. There are hundreds of different kinds or breeds of dogs, and yet they are able to interbreed. Epigenetics has shown us that different environmental and experiential factors can amplify or suppress genetic factors. And through crossbreeding traits can be amplified or suppressed. One pair of canines could have all the genetic material to produce a wolf or a Chihuahua. When Darwin was examining the different finches he thought he had evidence for macro evolution when in fact he was seeing micro evolution, or how different environmental factors brought forth different traits. The finches are all of the same kind and can interbreed. That lessons the burden on Noah’s ark quite a bit.

JIM RICKABAUGH Yuma