Everything in the Bible—and in the Catholic Church—starts with the Book of Genesis. The Greek word genesis means “beginning”, and this inspired text reveals to us not only our origins, but our purpose, our meaning, and God’s plan for mankind.

Yet Genesis can be daunting, especially given the scientific discoveries of the last few centuries. Stephen K. Ray, author of Crossing the Tiber, breaks down this sacred and profoundly influential book, wrestling with the complex intersection of history and theology. Thoroughly Catholic in his approach, Ray is unafraid to draw from sources of all kinds: from Jewish and Protestant commentaries, from archaeology, from geography, and even from modern literature.

This work uncovers the excitement and drama of this ancient narrative, so often ignored or misunderstood. In Ray’s reading, the Book of Genesis is a shout of joy: “We can know where we came from! We can know who we are! We can know our destiny! And we are not alone in the universe!”