Congregationalist churches affirm Genesis 1:1-2 as teaching God's creation of the universe but engage with the text through historical-critical and scientific lenses. Many Congregationalists affirm evolutionary cosmology and biology as compatible with the theological affirmation of divine creation. The passage is understood as making a theological claim about God's creative work rather than providing a detailed scientific account. Progressive Congregationalism has integrated modern scientific understanding with biblical theology without seeing them as inherently in conflict.