The similarities between Genesis 1 and John 1 are that they both function as creation stories, meaning they refer to the origin of life on earth. This similarity is explicitly highlighted since both stories begin with the words “In the beginning...” (Gen 1.1, John 1.1). Both mention God as the creator of life and light. Like that creator, he separates them from death and pre-existing darkness (Gen 1, 1-5, John 1, 4-5). The two stories also reference the idea that the Word of God is the force of creation. God speaks in Genesis and life is born (Gen 1,11-13). In John he speaks through the power of his Word (Jesus) to baptize (i.e. make men children of God) (Jn 1.9-14). Finally, God calls man to "witness the light", that is, to participate in his work of creation. He commands Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis, but in John John the Baptist speaks of God's saving grace drawing people to the light and glory of the love-communion of the Trinity (Gen 1.28, John 1: 6-8, 14-18). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The main difference between these two chapters, though, is that Genesis 1 is from the Old Testament and John 1 is from the New. Therefore, the Genesis account speaks of God's original creation, while John writes of how God redeemed it. Nothing wrong is the original creation, with God seeing that "it was very good" (Gen 1.31). However, God needs to save his fallen creation in John by manifesting himself in a new creation because his creation is so perverted to the point that they cannot recognize him as their creator (John 1:9-13). Therefore, despite the similarities involving words, images and symbols, Genesis ends up describing the original and perfect work of creation, while John describes God's new, redeemed and glorified creation. Ultimately, these differences and similarities reveal that the the theological message of Genesis speaks of God's power to create man in order to perpetuate his work of creation. In John, that underlying message refers to God's power to create anew in man when he has failed to live up to his divine calling. Even after the Fall, God sent his Son to redeem and glorify man. Thanks to Christ, man no longer has the sole purpose of being a collaborator-slave of God; man's vocation is to create with God and live in his love as an adopted son. Being “born of God” now, man can now be in the “most intimate relationship with the Father” as Christ is (John 1:13, 18).