Daniel Darling - The Characters of Creation: The Men, Women, Creatures, and Serpent Present at the Beginning of the World

What we believe about origins necessarily influences everything else we believe. The Bible gives us the true story of how we all got here, and in The Characters of Creation Dan Darling does a great job of explaining that story and reminding us why it matters. Like his previous books in this series, Dan focuses on the charactersthe peoplewho were key participants in the story of creation. In so doing, he helps us to better focus attention on the Main Character: the One who created all things and who will one day finish His work of re-creation, to the eternal praise of His glory.

NATHAN A. FINN

Provost and Dean of the University Faculty, North Greenville University

There are big questions that everyone has to answer: Where am I from? Where am I going? Whats wrong with the world? Whats the solution? All of these big questions are answered in the early chapters of Genesis. That is why I am really excited about The Characters of Creation and Dan Darlings fresh perspective on the origin story. Read this book and learn how the stories of the earliest people to inhabit the world connect with the story of your life.

JONATHAN AKIN

Vice President for Church Relations and Campus Ministries at Carson-Newman University

As always, Daniel Darling masterfully unpacks the beauty inherent in Scripture and helps readers dig deeper into important people, places, and narrativesstories that can sometimes become clouded, overlooked, and misunderstood. In The Characters of Creation, he helps us better comprehend Adam, Eve, Noah, and the beginnings of human history. This is a must-read book for anyone who seeks to explore and better connect with the people at the forefront of human historyand with the Lord.

BILLY HALLOWELL

Digital host/journalist, CBN News

Reading a Dan Darling book is like having a long conversation with a friend. A very bright, serious-minded, and sometimes quirky friend. I love Dans special insights into Gods Word and the gospel. This book takes you back to the beginning of everything and sheds new light on the peoplesome youve heard of, others you haventand all that happened to them back there. Get ready for a unique, enlightening, and really sweet experience.

ROBERT WOLGEMUTH

Bestselling author

2022 by DANIEL DARLING

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version.

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates.

Edited by Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse

Interior design: Puckett Smartt

Cover design: Thinkpen Design

Cover illustration of fox silhouette copyright 2020 by Martinus Sumbaji / Shutterstock (1195534375).

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Cover illustration of man and staff silhouette copyright 2020 by ArtMari / Shutterstock (1734428030).

Cover illustration of fighting men copyright 2020 by ArtMari / Shutterstock (2020134047).

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Darling, Daniel, 1978- author.

Title: The characters of creation : the men, women, creatures, and serpent present at the beginning of the world / Daniel Darling.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, 2022. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: In The Characters of Creation, Daniel Darling re-introduces readers to the story they thought they knew. He explains the Bibles story of how we got here and how things got messed up, and gives fresh insights into the first people in Gods unfolding plan of redemption--from Adam and Eve, The Serpent, Cain and Abel, and Noah--Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022002436 (print) | LCCN 2022002437 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802425010 (paperback) | ISBN 9780802475398

Subjects: LCSH: Creationism. | Creation. | Bible. Genesis--Criticism, interpretation, etc. | BISAC: RELIGION / Christian Theology / History | RELIGION / Christian Living / Inspirational

Classification: LCC BS651 .D324 2022 (print) | LCC BS651 (ebook) | DDC 231.7/65--dc23/eng/20220210

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002436

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002437

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This book is dedicated to my Uncle Jim, who passed away from Alzheimers while I was making final edits. Uncle Jim expressed his love for Gods good creation with his amazing photography of sunsets and water and landscapes and his love for fishing in Northern Minnesota. Most of all, Uncle Jim lived out Gods purposes for his life as a faithful husband, father, and churchman. Hes with Jesus now, awaiting that promised resurrection at the end of the age. Uncle Jim, I cant wait to see you one day.

Friend,

Thank you for choosing to read this Moody Publishers title. It is our hope and prayer that this book will help you to know Jesus Christ more personally and love Him more deeply.

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