The lost world of Genesis One : ancient cosmology and the origins debate

John H. Walton presents and defends twenty propositions supporting a literary and theological understanding of Genesis 1 within the context of the ancient Near Eastern world and unpacks its implications for our modern scientific understanding of origins. --from publisher description
Genesis 1 is ancient cosmology --
Ancient cosmology is function oriented --
"Create" (Hebrew baraʼ) concerns and functions --
The beginning state in Genesis 1 is nonfunctional --
Days one to three in Genesis 1 establish functions --
Days four to six in Genesis 1 install functionaries --
Divine rest is in a temple --
The cosmos is a temple --
The seven days of Genesis 1 relate to the cosmic temple inauguration --
The seven days of Genesis 1 do not concern material origins --
"Functional cosmic temple" offers face-value exegesis --
Other theories of Genesis 1 either go too far or not far enough --
The difference between origin accounts in science and scripture is metaphysical in nature --
God's roles as creator and sustainer are less different than we have thought --
Current debate about intelligent design ultimately concerns purpose --
Scientific explanations of origins can be viewed in light of purpose, and if so, are unobjectionable --
Resulting theology in this view of Genesis 1 is stronger, not weaker --
Public science education should be neutral regarding purpose.