This coming Lord's Day we at Providence church will be beginning a new series in the book of Genesis. Yes, I can hear the snickers. Many people would think we are wasting our time. As a matter of fact, most people would probably fit into one of the following 3 categories. The most verbal would be those who think such a study is preposterous. The common notion among modern man is that the book of Genesis is bunk. It contains, in their minds, such incredibly outrageous things as creation ex nihilo and other "unscientific" stories. Yet their inability to give an adequate basis for their own worldview (let alone their scientific hypothesis's) is enough testimony to say that we do not have to worry about whatever clamor they may make. Then there are those who think that the such a study would be problematic. These are those who would be qualified as the theologically liberal/progressive. To them Genesis is an embarrassment to Christianity. Like the aforementioned group, they have bowed to the god of scientism. What's more, they want to be considered modern and sophisticated by them. Unfortunately, they have this silly first book of the Bible with which they have to deal. To align the text with their real religion they shred the text. They say that the Genesis stories contain some elements of truth, but it is buried in primitive myths and prose. The study would be problematic because the stories do not mean what they really say and only experts in Biblical script can break the code-speak that shrouds the deeper meaning. Then there are our dispensational friends. Many of them would say that such a study would be pointless. After all, it is the Old Testament and these things are dispensed with now that we have the New Testament. Anything you would glean from the book of Genesis is moot and basically reserved for archaeological study (unless there be keys for unlocking the mysteries of the future Israelite kingdom). While these three groups would poo-poo the study of Genesis, there is a fourth group to be mentioned. There are kooks like myself who think that the study of this book is paramount. We believe that this book contains for us some of the most foundational truths for a right worldview. The book of Genesis calibrates our minds by giving us the basis for reality, ethics, and knowledge. It speaks out clearly against a paganized culture to declare the reality of a personal God who provides redemption and eternal peace.
2 Comments
Mary Rader
8/28/2012 12:29:55 am
Happy to join the kooks. You are in good company at providence! How liberating it would be for all Christians to trust the word of God from the very first verse and embrace what Genesis has to teach us!!
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