What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. 1 John 1:1
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2:1-5
So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Ephesian 5:28-32
Most people are aware of the "Doctrine of Original Intent" -- which is a view of the American Constitution which seeks to look at what the Framers meant, rather than trying to mold the constitution into something different. I have a similar perspective toward the Bible. I tend to go back to what God said was "very good" in Genesis 1 as the "gold standard". God himself said it was. That is where my perspective of discipleship is formed. Indeed, I think everything that comes afterward needs to keep an eye "looking back" to keep later things in perspective.
There are things that were present in that nascent world which repeat over and over again as the story unfolds regarding God, his "image bearers", love, betrayal, loss and restoration or redemption. Genesis 1 itself says that God placed the lights in the heavens to mark days, nights, months, seasons, and most of all -- to witness to his day-in and day-out unchanging covenant love and faithfulness. Romans 1:18 appeals to those things when it says that every man ever created "knows" thing about God from the things he has made.
I have enjoyed reading Through New Eyes by James Jordan recently. A major premise of the book is that God has placed everything in creation to be symbols, types and testimonies, including us -- His imagebearers. God gave us symbols for our eyes to see and be reminded. He spoke to mankind the specifics of his character and will (prior to Guteberg, the scriptures were mostly listened to rather than read, because only the scribal people had them) and acting out (doing). There is something there for every learning style. God really, really wants us to "get it".
The three scripture passages are examples. 1 John 1:1 says concerning the Word of Life (Jesus) that we saw, heard and touched. Titus 2 has us speaking/hearing, observing and acting out. Modeling his redeemed lives. Ephesians 5 is perhaps the most honoring example of all the role modeling and the passage itself links it back to the Garden in Genesis. Man and wife have the awesome privilege of modeling the relationship between the loving and redeeming God and ourselves, his respectful and responsive people. We become part of that great "testimony" that God has drenched all of creation with concerning himself.
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