Not one, but two. Genesis starts with two Creation accounts. Skeptics are quick to call out the inconsistency of the entire narrative. But there are in fact two stories, each emphasizing a particular climax. The first is familiar, starting in the first verse of the first chapter. It progresses through the six days of God’s ex nihilo creation and culminates with the seventh day in Genesis 2:1-3. Clearly the pinnacle of the first week is the holy Sabbath, when God rests, blesses, and sanctifies.
The second account of Creation starts in verse 4 of chapter 2 and continues until the end of the chapter. The trees were already created on the third day. Some animals were created on the fifth day; the remaining creatures and the first couple made on the sixth day. Clearly the order of Creation events is not the point of the second account. Rather, the story establishes the activity of Adam and his single status in the midst of his work. The apex of the second account focuses on the coupling of man and woman in holy matrimony, when God introduces and fuses them.
Whereas worship is at the core of the Sabbath, sexuality is at the core of matrimony. Both are sacred gifts God has given to humanity. The former shows the closest bond between the divine and human experience. The latter shows the closet bond between the male and female experience. And as such, both gifts are precious, exquisite, and simply good.
Being the two remaining institutions from the Garden of Eden, the enemy seeks to attack both gifts. The deceptions and misunderstandings regarding the seventh-day Sabbath and biblical sexuality abound. Seventh-day Adventists are called to restore the scriptural understanding of both, in experience, in lifestyle, and in doctrinal understanding.
Sabbath teachings have been obscured throughout human history. Our movement has been called to shine light back onto the wonderful gift of Sabbathkeeping, the value of Sabbath rest, and the role of the Sabbath, especially in the last days, as the sign of God’s seal upon His people.
Sexuality teachings have been distorted throughout human history as well. Our movement has been called to shine light back onto the wonderful gift of happy marriages (to those who are called), the value of spiritual families, and the role of healthy sexuality, especially in the last days, as darkness continues to intensify.
As Sabbath points to God as the Creator of time and space, sexuality points to God as the Creator of the human body and the human experience. Just as the grace of God pardons as well as empowers, may we take courage as we navigate through the world’s currents while standing firmly on the institutions of Paradise—not one, but two.
