Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Laying a foundation. Genesis 1 - 11

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Introduction Genesis 1-11 is among, if not the most

Neglected portions of the Bible

Attacked portions of the Bible

Misrepresented portions of the Bible

Compromised portions of the Bible.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Introduction At the same time, Genesis 1-11 is the most

Foundational portion of the Bible

Essential in our understanding of humanity

Vital in our comprehension of God

Important to every other aspect of doctrine

Without Genesis 1-11, the rest of the Bible makes no sense.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Introduction Genesis 1-11 is vital to our understanding of the world

Sin and Death

Evil and Suffering

Violence and War

Injustice and Abuse

Decay and Disease

Past and Future

It is a record of Origins

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Origin of…

The Universe

Time

Matter

Life

Spirituality

Worship

Work

Leadership

Marriage

Roles

Sex

Gender

Accountability

Sin

Clothes

Decay

Sickness

Suffering

Death

Nations

Languages

And much more . . .

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: It was written as poetry or ‘exalted prose’

It was allegory written to communicate to a primitive culture

It was never intended to be taken literally

It is not intended to be a scientific text book

Genesis not clear and can only be understood in the light of

current thinking

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: It was written as poetry or ‘exalted prose’, is allegorical (not literal)

It has a ‘Toledot’ structure – elleh toledot – The generations of . .

Precursor – Gen 1:1-2:3 – God has no beginning or the result of a cause.

Toledot of the heavens and earth – Gen 2:4 - 4:26

Toledot of Adam – Gen 5:1 – 6:8

Toledot of Noah – Gen 6:9 – 9:29

Toledot of Noah’s three sons – Gen 10:1 – 11:9

Toledot of Shem – Gen 11:10-26

Toledots of Tereh, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau and Jacob though to Joseph (Gen

11-50)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: It was written as poetry or ‘exalted prose’

So is the Genesis 1 just a poem for simpletons?

Scripture is clear because God is clear.

If Genesis 1 is unclear, then God is unable to express Himself

clearly.

We argue that the Bible is clear and that the plain meaning of the

text is that which God intended the reader of any age, culture, class

or background to understand.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

The ‘Timothy Test’ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have

firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how

from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by

God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be

complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Scripture is clear It is not ambiguous

We do not need an external arbiter or interpreter

God is not struggling to express Himself, rather he speaks

clearly in the Scriptures to impart understanding.

Therefore, as evangelicals, we should be ready not only

uphold the clear teaching of the Word of God, but to refute

that which does violence to the clear intention of the text.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Chicago Statement Article XIII WE AFFIRM the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term

with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture.

WE DENY that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Chicago Statement Article XVII WE AFFIRM that the text of Scripture is to be interpreted by

grammatico-historical exegesis, taking account of its literary forms and devices, and that Scripture is to interpret Scripture.

WE DENY the legitimacy of any treatment of the text or quest for sources lying behind it that leads to relativizing, dehistoricizing, or discounting its teaching, or rejecting its claims to authorship.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: It is not intended to be a scientific text book

Genesis can only be understood in the light of current thinking

We are in a more enlightened time, therefore we need to interpret

through the sciences of the day.

Genesis gave is the what, but not the how.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: Such objections elevate fallible human thinking above perfect

revelation of the creator.

Who was there in ‘The beginning’?

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

2“Who is this that darkens counsel by

words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it

known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the

foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—

surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Objections to a clear understanding: Such objections elevate fallible human thinking above perfect

revelation of the creator.

Who was there in ‘The beginning’?

Evolution is not hard to explain

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Evolution is easy to explain simply In the beginning there was a mighty bang

All kinds of things happened from that bang like stars and planets

One special thing that happened was the start of simple life

Over a very, very long time, that life began to develop

Eventually, all the animals, birds and fish came from that life

One special animal developed far beyond all others and that is

people.

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Scripture is clear It speaks with Authority. It is the sole text.

It not only gives us the what of creation

It gives is the How of creation

It gives us the Who of creation

It gives us the Why of creation

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork (Psalm 19:1)

Firm Foundations - Genesis 1-11

Be confident Put your confidence in God, not man

Be encouraged in your faith and understanding

Know that one day you will stand before the King of kings

and Lord of lords and it is far better to look foolish to this

generation than before him.

The great and glorious gospel starts here!