The Biblical creation myth, outlined in Genesis, has become so ingrained into the consciousness of most "peoples of the book" that the story of Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden seem nearly historical. Like any great myth, the Biblical creation story has become an indelible part of the Western mindset and therefore fulfills all four of the functions of myth that Joseph Campell discusses. First, the creation myth in Genesis serves a metaphysical function, by drawing attention to the mystery of creation and God's role in human destiny. Second, the creation myth serves a cosmological function by clearly referring to Semitic schematic of the universe including the amount of time it took for God to create the world. Third, like all myths, the Biblical creation story serves a sociological function in that it proscribes specific moral and ethical codes that lie at the heart of Western civilization. Finally, the myth has pedagogical purpose in pointing to potential rites of passage and teaching individuals how to navigate through the various stages of their lives and live harmoniously with fellow humans.
             The metaphysical functions of the Biblical creation myth include a stimulation of the wonder of God's creation and of the divine origins of the manifest universe. The "void" and the "darkness" that once enveloped the earth have mythical meanings (Genesis 1:2). Moreover, "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters," inviting contemplation of the origins of the universe without requiring logic or reason (Genesis 1:2). Instead, the myth allows the human being to feel emotionally the ineffable power of God and the wonder of creation. Words like "firmament" add to the mystical depths of the Genesis creation myth (Genesis 1:6).
             Early sections of Genesis do not yet refer to the creation of humankind, but rather to the vastness of the universe and the wealth of the cosmos. Moreov...