Origins of the Soul: A Psychological Journey Through Genesis
Part I: The Origin of Power
Introduction to the Series
Each year, I return to the book of Genesis to reflect, question, and rediscover. Of all the books in the Bible, Genesis captivates me the most, because within its ancient stories, I find startlingly modern truths. It reveals who we are at the core, often before we even recognize it ourselves.
The psychological and spiritual insights in Genesis, particularly Chapters 1-3, I believe, are not only profound but also deeply relevant for us as Christians today. They can challenge us, shape us, and ultimately deepen our witness of Jesus to the world around us.
So come with me, let’s wrestle together with the questions, tensions, and revelations found in this foundational book. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I invite you to join me in seeking them.
Part I: The Origin of Power
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26
When I read this passage, what strikes me most is that these are the words spoken over humanity at its inception. These are the first words God declared when He created us in His image. With those words, He gave us identity and authority.
If you’re anything like me, you see both the beauty and the weight of this divine calling. Today, we witness humanity exercising rule and dominance in ways that God likely never intended. Yet, it's important to remember that this original calling came before sin entered the world.
I don’t pretend to fully grasp God’s intention here, but I choose to be curious.
Could it be that, in God’s perfect design, our dominion was meant only for animals and the earth? Isn’t that interesting? God gave us authority, yes, but it appears He limited it to one sphere of creation. And yet, over time, we have extended that dominion beyond its boundaries, most tragically over other human beings.
What if we had remained within the bounds of that original purpose? What if our rule stopped at creation—at the land, the sea, the sky, and its creatures? How different might our world look today?
Knowing that this was the original intent for humanity, how much differently could your life look if you confined yourself to watching over the earth and animals?
Dominion means to have supreme power or authority. When I think about power, a certain kind of person comes to mind—someone loud, boastful, confident, and commanding. Their presence feels heavy. Their face is tight and uninviting, marked by a smug expression, narrowed eyes, clenched jaw, and coldness. Arms crossed, eye contact intense. Their gaze cuts through light-heartedness, creating tension instead of peace.
But why is that?
Did God intend for power to look and feel this way? Or did sin flip the very definition of power on its head, convincing us that gentleness is weakness and that true authority must be loud and forceful?
One of the most important insights I’ve gained while reading Genesis is this: what voice do I hear when I read?
For much of my life, I imagined God’s voice as stern, yelling at humanity from above. But lately, I’ve challenged myself to read Scripture with a different tone in mind: a gentle voice, someone who is sitting next to me.
I invite you to try the same.
Imagine reading the Bible with a voice that’s kind and calm. You might notice your shoulders drop, your breath deepen, your eyebrows relax. Your body softens. You’re no longer bracing for correction—you’re open to connection.
I truly believe that gentleness is the voice of God. Scripture communicates when there’s shouting, God is not shouting. The power He gives us, true dominion, is not harsh or domineering. It’s the kind of power that is patient, nurturing, and loving.
That is the kind of authority we were meant to carry over the earth.