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b'READ: GENESIS 1-2\\n\\n\\n\\nOne of the most important parts of interpreting the Bible is understanding the historical-cultural context of the text. In other words, asking questions like, \\u201cHow would the original audience have understood this text? What was the world like for the original audience?\\u201d Finding answers to these questions often involves looking at historical texts other than the Bible. The Bible itself rarely includes historical-cultural details because the original audience already knew what it was like to live in their time and place, so they didn\\u2019t write it all down. So now we have to figure it out. And when we do, it gives so much more depth and meaning to the text.\\n\\n\\n\\nLet\\u2019s look at Genesis 1 and 2 for example. There were many other stories about creation that the original audience would have known. Many of these stories were very violent. In some cases, one god would defeat a lesser god and create the universe out of the defeated god\\u2019s corpse. Some said that humanity was made out of the blood of the defeated god mixed with mud or clay. And humans were created as slaves to the gods\\u2014to meet the needs of the gods, tend to them, appease them, and do the menial labor the gods themselves didn\\u2019t want to do.\\n\\n\\n\\nImagine growing up being told that your very existence is the result of violence and death, and that you were created to serve a violent, needy god. How different is the God of Genesis 1 and 2? Here, we see a God who has no needs. A God who made creation out of nothing, and made it teem with life. Who crafted humanity from the earth and His own breath, making them in His own image as His representatives. Humanity is given a dignified job: tending to creation and creating more life (Genesis 1:27-28). He gives them a beautiful garden, community, and His own presence. This God is vastly different from any other god the original audience would have heard of. And, through Jesus, He would sacrifice Himself for His creation.\\n\\n\\n\\nHistorical-cultural context can be tricky, but it\\u2019s well worth the effort. By learning more about the historical-cultural context of Scripture, we can know our loving God more deeply. And we can sit in awe of the beauty of the gospel\\u2014God\\u2019s love for His people and His resolve to rescue us through Jesus\\u2014which shines through every page. \\u2022 Taylor Eising\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 Have you ever wondered what life was like for the people living during the different time periods of the Bible? What questions do you have about this?\\n\\n\\n\\nThen God said, \\u201cLet us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over\\u2026all the wild animals on the earth\\u2026\\u201d Genesis 1:26 (NLT)'