Genesis Introduction - Part 2

Genesis

Introduction - Part 2

These are foundational and I think it is essential that we believe them. On matters of the age of the earth and the universe, on evolution etc I don’t mind at all if you disagree with the views I have expressed above.

It is interesting how many of the basic truths of Genesis are under attack. The very fact that God created the universe and created us has been under attack for many years now, and the denial of this truth has profound effects on society and our lives as individuals. The uniqueness of mankind is under attack, with some saying we are no different than other species. Sex and sexuality is supremely under attack today. Society does not seem to know the difference between male and female. The idea of sex being confined to marriage between one man and one woman is considered a ludicrous concept.

So the beginning of Genesis sets out the reason and purpose for which we were created, and how we are meant to live. Then chapter three describes how it all went wrong. Throughout the rest of Genesis we have many illustrations of how sin affects our lives, and how deep-rooted it is. There are some parts where you just think “what a mess!”. We also have signs of the salvation plan, Abraham and Sarah being the most important examples of this, followed by Joseph. We also see a God who as well as being all powerful, is a God who has a personal relationship with His chosen people. Genesis is in some ways closes to the New Testament!

Many will say that Genesis is just a mish mash of various creation myths from various civilisations. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible is radically different. The book by John Oswalt (see below) brings out the radically different thought processes and ideas that can be found in Genesis. Genesis presents the universe as created with order, created on purpose. We were the pinnacle of that purposeful creation, created with a special purpose, and created in the image of God. The myths tended to see man created as a byproduct of wars between gods, and created as servants of the gods. The Bible presents us as being created with a much higher purpose.

Bibliography

Genesis - Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner, 1967

The Bible among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? (Ancient Context, Ancient Faith) - Zondervan Academic, John Oswalt, 2009.