The History of Salvation and the Messianic Mission of Jesus

The history of salvation begins with the profound and majestic account of creation as described in the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. This narrative serves not merely as an origin story but as a theological framework that underscores the intimate relationship between God and humanity. The opening verse, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), establishes the foundation of all reality: a cosmos that emerges from divine intentionality and love. The act of creation is depicted as a structured, ordered process, culminating in the formation of humanity as the imago Dei, the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This notion of humanity's unique vocation has shaped centuries of theological, philosophical, and ethical reflection.

In Genesis, the progression from chaos (tohu wa-bohu) to order is expressed through the poetic rhythm of six days of creation, each punctuated by the phrase, "And God saw that it was good." This repeated refrain affirms the goodness of creation and anticipates the final climactic moment when humanity is formed. The narrative portrays God not as a distant architect but as a loving Creator who imbues the cosmos with beauty, purpose, and harmony. Notably, the seventh day?the Sabbath?introduces the principle of divine rest and sanctity, prefiguring the theological concept of covenantal relationship. For theologians such as Saint Augustine, the creation story is a meditation on divine providence, with Augustine interpreting the ordered progression of creation as a manifestation of God's eternal wisdom.