At the present time most biblical scholars accept a linear model of literary structure and balance in Genesis I. The linear model was first published in 1979 and has enjoyed many re-printings in the footnotes of some of our most popular bibles. In spite of its popularity, the linear model may be the very reason for our continued blindness to the circular nature of the Genesis story of Creation. Adopting the circular model of a colored wheel may hold the key to a few biblical mysteries.
The linear model of Genesis I has at least four problems that should cause the critical thinker to wonder if the linear model is the accurate model for literary structure and balance in this text. Each problem is addressed and discussed in the DVD entitled, Prismatic Theology and the Illumination of Genesis I. But why should the average bible reader concern themselves with the literary structure of Genesis I? Why is the structure of Genesis I important?
Perceiving an accurate model of structure and balance brings us one step closer to the thoughts, inspirations and mind-set of the original author/s of Genesis I. If the author had a circular structure in mind when writing the story of Creation then the circle itself becomes part of the story. The fact that the six days of Creation follow the color order of the visible spectrum of light becomes another part of the story. The complementary relationships formed between each aspect of Creation depicted around the rim of the wheel become yet another part of the story.
So it’s easy to understand that the circular structure of a wheel would add several layers of insight into the text of Genesis I. Since the story of Creation is the foundational text of the Judeo-Christian tradition this insight would be helpful. But that’s not the end of the story. The additional insights gained reveal a connection between Genesis I; the story of the great flood in Genesis 6; the account of Ezekiel’s vision of a wheel in Ezek 1; the account of the throne of heaven in Rev 4; and the account of the little scroll of seven thunders in Rev 10. All five references are bound together by the presence of a rainbow.
To date the rainbow covenant; Ezekiel’s vision of a wheel; John’s vision of the throne of heaven; and his vision of the little scroll of seven thunders have remained unexplained. Many scholars have pondered the possible explanations and many words have been written regarding each of these references. But the colored wheel as a structure for Genesis I pulls all four references together and binds the references to the Creator and the Creation.