† Genesis provides the foundation for our understanding of the origin of everything. It is the foundation for a comprehensive worldview for Christians (and for Jews too).
· purpose of creation and the establishment of institutions, including family and marriage.
· relationship between God and man, and between man with the rest of the created order
· our exalted position as the image of God
[1] The origin of all things
Genesis begins with the creation. There is no explanation where God comes from, but He is simply there. He is all-powerful, wise and in control, but He cares about the human whom He created. Genesis clearly defines the relationships among God, man, and the world.
[2] Man’s sin
God originally created a perfect world. Apparently, man had meaningful work to do but did not need the work for survival nor suffered and toiled at work. God provided everything that man needed. Yet, even in a perfect environment, man still decided to disobey God and sinned.
In Genesis, man’s sin led to destruction. Sin got progressively worse: from Adam and Eve’s disobedience to Cain’s murder, then to Lamech’s boasting of his murders, then to heinous sins committed by all mankind. If it wasn’t for the faithful and obedient Noah, man would be extinct in the Flood. Freedom without God leads only to death. While man are hopelessly running down a slippery slope, God intervenes. Genesis lays out the ground for God’s wonderful plan of salvation, which is one of the most important theme throughout the Bible. And we all know that everything will eventually end up with God’s total victory.
[3] God of Love and of Justice
God is a God of love. He designed an eternal plan of sharing His glory with man. In Genesis, there were times when God’s plan appeared to fail. In fact, the plan was only deferred but still on track.
o After the Fall of Adam and the murder committed by Cain, there was the birth of Seth.
o After the Flood killed almost the whole human race, there was the family of Noah.
o
After the
But God is also a God of justice. He deals with sin with punishment; yet He also rewards righteousness and obedience with blessings. (Ex 20:5; 34:6-7; Nu 14:18; Dt 5:9-10; 7:9)
[1] The 3 Theories of Creation
The Theories of Creation arise from the interpretation of the Bible (mainly Genesis) as well as scientific findings. Three theories were introduced. Each has its supporters among the evangelical scholars. Also each one has its merits and shortfalls in explaining how the earth becomes what we see today. No matter which theory is accepted, the key point is the same: God created this world.
[2] Science and Genesis
Science is a systematic way to find out the rules of the world through observations, hypotheses, theories and experiments. Many people are misled that the Bible and science are frequently in conflict, but the fact is that most of the time scientific findings match what is described in the Bible. Scientific theories are often revised or modified to fit new observations, yet the Bible is always the same and has never been proved wrong.
In fact, from scientific findings, this world has an extremely complex architecture such that it is easier to believe that it is created and designed instead of being the result of random processes. The Theory of Intelligent Design introduces many valid arguments to prove how the universe must have been carefully designed by higher intelligence.
The Evolution Hypothesis is supported by many secular scientists and has been blindly accepted by many people. The purpose is to find an answer to the origin of life without God. Those who objectively examine scientific proofs will agree that evolution is close to an impossibility.
[3] Difficult Passages
It is important to recognize the inerrancy of the Bible. Christians are willing to sacrifice the accuracy of Genesis in the face of difficulties. This is not necessary. There is no definitive proof of any errors in Genesis, either internally (absence of inconsistencies in the Bible) or externally (Biblical records consistent with research in other subjects).
Because Genesis was written in ancient Hebrew which has become an unused language for many centuries, the exact meaning of many words are unclear. The first 11 chapters of Genesis undeniably consists of difficult passages or controversial topics. We must admit that our knowledge is limited and that we are ignorant of the true answers. However, it is important to know that the lack of definitive explanation is never involved with essentials of our faith.
† Christianity is the only religion with a philosophy of life or a worldview that is completely rational as well as logical and can answer all questions related to life satisfactorily. By this attribute alone, we can see that it is from the one true God and it is truth.
† History of the World:
[1] Eternal Past——[2]
Paradise Created (Gen 1—2)——[3]
Paradise Lost (Gen 3 to Rev 20)——[4]
† Poetry by John Milton (1608-1674):
Of Man’s First Disobedience, and the Fruit
Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal test
Brought Death into the World, and all our woe.
Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be
Of Tempter and Temptation without fear.
And Joy shall overtake us as a flood;
When everything yet is sincerely good
And perfectly divine.
With truth, and peace, and love shall ever shine
About the supreme throne
Of him t’ whose happy-making sight alone,
When once our heav’nly-guided soul shall climb
Then all this earthly grossness quit.
Attir’d with stars we shall for ever sit
Triumphing over death, and chance, and thee o time.