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In this series of studies we look to the very opening chapters of the Bible, Genesis 1-11. Here we see the literal 'genesis' of all things, the ...
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Term 3, 2019
THE STUDIES Week Ending Study Passage Title Page No Sun 28 Jul 1 Genesis 1:1-2:3 The World 6 Sun 4 Aug 2 Genesis 2:4- 25 Man 7 Sun 11 Aug 3 Genesis 3 Sin 8 Sun 18 Aug 4 Genesis 4 Murder 9 Sun 25 Aug 5 Genesis 5:1-6:7 Ongoing Sinfulness 10 Sun 1 Sep 6 Genesis 6:8-7:24 Judgement 11 Sun 8 Sep 7 Genesis 8 Rescue 12 Sun 15 Sep 8 Genesis 9 Covenant 13 Sun 22 Sep 9 Genesis 10- 11 Language and Division
Helpful References: Kidner, D. Genesis (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) (Leicester, IVP, 1967) (An Oldy but a Goody) Reid, A. Genesis: Salvation Begins (Sydney South, Aquila, 2000) (A newish Australian perspective- thoroughly recommended.) Wenham, G.J. “Genesis” in Carson, D.A., France, R.T, Motyer, J.A., Wenham, G.J. (Eds) NEW BIBLE COMMENTARY : 21st Century Edition (LEICESTER, IVP, 1994) Longman, T(III). Genesis (The Story of God Commentary) (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2016). Lennox, J.C. Seven Days that Divide the World (Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2011) And the Mark Dever sermon on Genesis at http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/ The outline of Genesis on the Bible Project website. https://thebibleproject.com/all-videos/
Some Background Thoughts: In many ways these chapter represent some of the most controversial chapters in the Scriptures about which Christians, many of whom hold a high view of the Bible as God’s word, disagree on some (much) of the detail. First the chapters raise the thorny issue of Bible v Science. As far as I have been able I have kept to an agnostic point of view on these issues in the Bible Studies, focussing on the text and its meaning for its original readers and for us. That said it is important to stress that these chapters are not a scientific textbook and only incidentally cross over into science. The passages are primarily concerned with why and who rather than what and how. It is also very easy to let the issue of Science v Theology cloud helpful interpretation and application of the text. Important to all of this is the nature of the creation of man and the nature of the fall. The passages from 3:6 on record the spread of sin among humankind and its pervasive influence. This brings God’s judgement in speech, then his acts of judgement combined with the element of grace on each occasion except in Chapter 11 where we have to wait for Chapter 12 to begin the story of ultimate grace which in the end works itself out in Jesus death and resurrection. Image, Rest, Salvation and Judgment on sin, seem to me to be the major themes. From time to time I have used the word ‘story’ in relation to the various narratives in these chapters. This is in no way intended to infer anything about the historicity of the events it is used simply because this is the way these incidents are told. Remember, at all times, that this is God’s word revealed to us for the purpose of “… teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And so it applies to us right now and should effect the way we live our lives here in Kiama this day, this week, this month … _ Possibly the thorniest of these issues is the nature of the 6 days. If you want to read more about this I can heartily recommend the John Lennox book “Seven Days That Divide the World” for a worthwhile attempt at a balanced view. For material on a literal six 24 hour days see www.creation.com or for another view the work of Hugh Ross at www.reasons.org is interesting. Also “Reading Genesis 1-2 : An Evangelical Conversation”, J. Daryl Charles (Ed) (Peabody, Hendrikson, 2013) gives a number of perspectives._
IV. Genesis and Historicity It is extremely difficult to obtain independent evidence as to the historicity of Genesis, since many of the narratives have no parallel in non-biblical literature. This is especially difficult for Gn. 1–11, though easier for Gn. 12–50. It should always be remembered that much in the Bible is beyond scientific investigation, but notably those areas which touch on faith and personal relations. The areas on which one might ask for evidence in Genesis may be summarized as follows: a. The creation b. The origin of man The Bible asserts that God made man. It does not allow that there was any other source for man’s origin. It is not possible, however, to discover, from Genesis precisely how God did this. Scientifically, the origin of man is still obscure, and neither archaeology nor anthropology can give a final answer as to the time, place or means of man’s origin. It is safest for the Christian to be cautious about the subject, to be content to assert with Genesis that, however it happened, God lay behind the process, and to be content to await further evidence before rushing to hasty conclusions. c. The Flood There is no final evidence here either as to the time, the extent or the cause. There were certainly extensive floods in the area from which the Patriarchs came, and the ancient Sumerians had a detailed account of a great flood in the ancient world. There are no serious reasons, however, for accepting the suggestion of Sir Leonard Woolley that the flood at Ur, which left a deep deposit of silt revealed by his excavation, was in fact the result of the Bible Flood. V. Genesis and Theology It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the primary value of Genesis, as indeed of all Scripture, is theological. It is possible to devote a great deal of time and energy to all kinds of incidental details and to miss the great theological issues. For example, the story of the Flood speaks of sin, judgment, redemption, new life. To be occupied with details about the size of the ark, and with problems of feeding or of the disposal of refuse, is to be concerned with side-issues. While God’s revelation was largely in historical events, and while history is of tremendous significance for the biblical revelation, it is the theological significance of events that is finally important. Where corroborative evidence of the Genesis narratives is lacking, the theological significance may still be discerned. J.S. Wright
Study 1 : GENESIS 1 :1- 2 : 3 Beginnings: The World A Reading Guide: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Gen. 1:1- 13 Gen. 1:14- 25 Gen. 1:26-2:3 John 1:1- 3 Psalm 19 Listen to the Story. Read Genesis 1:1-2: 3 Explain the Story.
Study 2 : GENESIS 2:4- 25 Beginnings: Man A Reading Guide: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Genesis 2:4- 9 Genesis 2:10- 17 Genesis 2:18- 25 Psalm 8 (^) Revelation 21:1- 14 Listen to the Story. Read Genesis 2: 4 - 25 Explain the Story.
Study 4 : GENESIS 4 Beginnings: Murder A Reading Guide: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Genesis 4:1- 8 Genesis 4:9- 16 Genesis 4: 17 - 26 1 John 3:11- 15 Exodus 3:11- 15 Listen to the Story. Read Genesis 4 :1- 26 Explain the Story.
Study 5 : GENESIS 5 :1- 6 : 7 Beginnings: Ongoing Sinfulness A Reading Guide: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Genesis 5:1- 20 Genesis 5:21- 32 Genesis 6:1-7(8) Hebrews 11:1- 6 Romans 1:18- 32 Listen to the Story. Read Genesis 5 :1-6: Explain the Story.
For Next Week: Genesis 6:8-7:24.
Study 7 : GENESIS 8 :1- 22 Beginnings: Rescue A Reading Guide: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Genesis 8:1- 12 Genesis 8:1 3 - 19 Genesis 8:20- 22 Luke 17:22- 37 1 Peter 3:18- 22 Listen to the Story. Read Genesis 8 :1- 22 Explain the Story.