† 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, as declared in 1:1. 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. Life has meaning only in God’s plan.
Man’s dignity comes from the fact that we are created in God’s image. There are clear differences between animals and man as man are given power to rule over the animals. Also apparently, only man are given the ethical choice of following God’s command, and their decisions on which choices to make actually affects the whole earth.
[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 man still decided to disobey God. Today, many people blame the environment and the society for people’s wrong doing. We try not to create excuses for all the wrongs man commit but downplay the responsibility of the individual. However, as Genesis demonstrates, even in a perfect environment, man still sins.
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. Despite the many episodes of darkness, there was always hope shining like a beam of light breaking the dark night.
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)
[4] The Toledots and the Genealogies
Genealogies appear throughout the Bible. They show us that what was recorded was real history, not arbitrary man-made stories. However, because of the peculiar usage of the Hebrew language, genealogies may contain gaps. The Bible authors often use a perfect number of generations between two main characters (10 generations between Adam and Noah, 10 generations between Noah and Abraham, 14+14+14 generations from Abraham to Jesus etc.). The numbers do not necessarily reflect the real genealogies.
The Bible usually only focuses on particular persons, and God has been blessing all the world through these people whom He chose.
[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. As more scientific evidences are found, these theories may need amendments or modifications. No matter which theory is accepted, the key point remains 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. The problem remains that man are sinful and always try to judge whether something is right or wrong using our limited intelligence instead of trusting our obviously more intelligent Creator.
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. The theory of natural selection could possibly be true, but objective evidences do not support its alleged effect in the formation of species. Those who objectively examine scientific proofs used to support or to deny the Evolution Hypothesis will agree that the hypothesis is close to an impossibility.
[3] Difficult Passages
It is important to recognize the inerrancy of the Bible. Throughout past history and especially in today, many 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. As a result, there are different possible meanings to the same verses or even the same words. Therefore, the first 11 chapters of Genesis undeniably consists of many difficult passages or controversial topics. We may not have a definite answer.
We must admit that our knowledge and wisdom are 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.