1. UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE BIBLE TRULY SAYS REQUIRES A CONSISTENT, DISCIPLINED METHODOLOGY

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2 BEFORE WE BEGIN... The opening chapters of Genesis are foundational for our faith for our understanding of God, ourselves, and life. As God s inspired word, these chapters are true. But what do they truly tell us? In recent years more and more people have been asking that question. Discussions surrounding Genesis (especially chapters 1-3) have become quite heated, with people on all sides accusing each other of mishandling the Bible. Such exchanges usually generate more heat than light. To benefit from these studies, we ll need to understand Genesis chapters 1-12 on its own terms, whilst also interacting carefully and respectfully with the ideas of others. Here are a few points that should help us get started: 1. UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE BIBLE TRULY SAYS REQUIRES A CONSISTENT, DISCIPLINED METHODOLOGY As God s people we want to understand what God says in his written word. To arrive at an accurate understanding of biblical truth, we must engage in interpretation that we seek to understand the meaning of the words before us. The method employed by the majority of biblical scholars today is known as the grammatical-historical method. In order to work out the intended meaning of a written text we must try to understand the words (grammar), as expressed by the author in his realworld situation (history). We must not tell the text what it means (something called eisegesis); it must speak on its own terms, in its own way. This basic approach gives us one consistent method for interpreting the different books of the Bible. So, whether we re reading Genesis or Galatians or the Psalms, we look at the words and we seek to understand them in the context they were written. In the case of Genesis 1-12 we must especially pay attention to the historical context. If, as traditional holds, Moses is largely responsible writing Genesis, we should start by remembering these words were first addressed to ancient Jews. Moses is not writing to counter the ideas of Charles Darwin or Richard Dawkins. 2

3 Moses is not primarily writing to address the questions and concerns of people in the twenty-first century. He s writing to ancient Israelites surrounded by pagan mythologies. As one scholar put it, Genesis was written in the light of rival descriptions of creation. (Tremper Longman, 2005) The great military powers of Mesopotamia, to the north-east, and Egypt, to the south, held views about the superiority of their gods, whom they believed governed the world. Moses writes to set the record straight so that Israel would know that Yahweh is in fact the only true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. As such chapters 1-12 are the back story for the history of God s amazing interactions with the people of Israel. 2. REMEMBER GOD INSPIRED REAL HUMAN AUTHORS TO WRITE USING REAL HUMAN LANGUAGE There are people who claim to read Genesis literally that is, whatever the Bible says is exactly true, as it is written. At first this make a lot of sense. Surely God inspired words that are actually true! However, this approach demonstrates a misunderstanding of how human language works, and how God has inspired the biblical writers. God speaks to us in the Bible through real human authors in the real world. Generally speaking, God didn t override their personalities or brains, turning them into unthinking zombies, pushing quills over parchment involuntarily. God speaks through real people with real motivations using real human language. Consequently, we find in the Bible normal features of human language: generalisations, figures of speech, local sayings, and hyperbole. The fact is, no culture takes all language strictly literally. Even in our scientific and tech-savvy society, our language is coloured with expressions that no one takes literally. We say things like, Give me a second, He s top dog, It took all day. When we use these sayings we mean them truly, but taking them literally would be a mistake. Just like language today, most of the Bible is to be taken literally, but we must also expect to find figurative expressions. We must also bear in mind that for a transcendent, all-powerful spiritual being to communicate to limited creatures like us, he must use language and concepts we are able to understand. Much of this communication will be put to us in a way that gives us sufficient, but not exhaustive knowledge. For example, Genesis 2:2 tells us God rested. Because God never gets tired, this resting is not a literal rest in the way we would rest. What is said about God here is analogical language used to convey a sense of what God is doing. 3

4 Furthermore, what we know about the physical world will naturally play a part in how we understand the Bible. For example, at one time most in the church believed the world is flat, fixed, and unmoving. They did so on the basis of a wealth of proof-texts (Ps. 93:1, 96:10 104:5; Jer. 25:33; Rev. 7:1). However, as time went by it became clear that the earth is round and revolves around the Sun. Although some in the church continued to resist new interpretations of many verses, few of us now believe the Sun travels around the earth. This is a good example of how our knowledge of the physical world can inform our reading of the Bible. In conclusion, the Bible is true, but what it s truly saying to us isn t resolved by a blanket attempt at being literal. We must look out for normal features of human language and analogical descriptions of God, whilst also remembering that our knowledge of the world will also be a factor in interpreting Genesis. 3. THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE BIBLE IS SPIRITUAL The main message of the Bible is the gospel - what the Apostle Paul said was of first importance (1 Cor. 15:1f). It s the good news of what God has done for fallen humans through Jesus Christ, for his own glory. Hence, the main message of the Bible is spiritual how flawed people can be brought into a real eternal relationship with their Creator, and then learn to serve him. For example, the Apostle John said, But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (Jn 20:31 NIV) Paul said, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV) The Bible is mainly about how sinners can find new life with God in Christ, and then learn to live lives shaped by God s commands, character, and purposes. Whatever we understand Genesis to be saying, we must never forget that these chapters are the beginning of a long coherent story which is meant to lead people to Jesus Christ. 4

5 4. CONCLUSION Genesis is an ancient document written to God s ancient people surrounded by pagan creation mythologies. It is a stylized, God-centred account of how Israel s God is the only true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It gives us a theological and historical background to how God promised to deal with the brokenness of his good creation, beginning with Abraham and his descendants (Israel), and ultimately through the true Israelite, Jesus of Nazareth. When it comes to reading the opening chapters of Genesis many believers who are deeply committed to the Bible, and who bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, hold different views. We must seek to conduct our studies of these matters humbly, listening carefully to the Bible, and respectfully engaging with each other for the good of our church family and for the greater glory of God. 5

6 STUDY 1 - IN THE BEGINNING Genesis 1:1-2:3 Getting started An atheist friend says, The world is nothing more than a product of random chance and evolution. There s no meaning or purpose to our existence, and it would make no difference in the big scheme of things if we were all wiped out tomorrow. What would be your response? Light from the Word Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 1. Use the table below to summarize what gets created in Genesis 1:1-2:3. Before the first day (1:1-2) Form Use Day 1: Day 4: Day 2: Day 5: Day 3: Day 6: Day 7: God rests 2. Do you notice a pattern in the words used to describe the first five days of creation? 6

7 a. Use the space below to show the most commonly repeated parts of the pattern (the first one has been filled in). And God said b. Looking at this pattern, what do you think the writer is trying to convey by telling the story in this way? 3. From the first five days, what do you learn about: a. God? b. God s word? c. the world? 7

8 4. A friend says, I m a Scorpio. I believe there s a god, but I also think we learn a lot by paying attention to the influence of the stars. Using Genesis 1, how would you respond? 5. Regardless of the method used to read Genesis 1:1-2:3, how does this passage help us understand: a. the meaning and purpose of the world? b. the goodness of creation? c. other religions that claim: there is more than one god? God is in everything? 6. Expressed in a sentence, what do you think the main lesson that readers of Genesis 1:1-2:3 are meant to take away? To finish The theory of naturalistic evolution gives us the best explanation of the evidence about our origins. We don t need God anymore. What might you say to this? Give thanks and pray Thank God for his good creation and the gifts that we enjoy. Pray that we would be able to worship the Creator, rather than the things he has created. 8

9 Going further: different ways to read Genesis 1:1-2:3 The first chapter of Genesis is probably one of the most disputed parts of the Bible. How long were the days? Was light really created before the Sun? Is there a gap in time between verses 1-2 and the rest of the chapter? Down the centuries a number of different general positions have emerged. Here s a summary of them: YOUNG EARTH CREATIONISM OLD EARTH CREATIONISM The Gap Theory God made all creation in 6 literal 24-hour days; taking Old Testament genealogies literally, the earth is calculated to be between 6,000-10,000 years old. This is an umbrella term for most views of creation that hold the earth is very old. Below are some examples: There is a gap between Genesis 1:1-2, and the creative work of God from Genesis 1:3 onwards. On this view, the earth is actually very old, but God s creative work in making it habitable only happened more recently. The Day Age View God created the universe including Adam and Eve in 6 periods of time that are not literal 24 hour days. Each day of creation was in fact a long period of time. Progressive Creationism Theistic Evolution OTHER VIEWS Ancient Near-Eastern Polemic View Literary Framework theory Instantaneous Creation The earth is billions of years old, but life did not appear by natural forces God created in incremental (progressive) stages. The days of creation reveal some key details of God s progressive creative work through time. (This is a version of the day age view) God created the world using evolutionary processes as proposed by neo-darwinian biologists. Many will hold God especially stepped in to create human life in His image. There are other views that don t focus much on timing: The Genesis creation accounts were written as a polemic (a persuasive critique) against common ideas found in the creation stories of cultures in the Ancient Near East. Genesis shows the uniqueness and supremacy of Israel s God. Genesis 1 and 2 is to be read figuratively explaining creation as a topic, and not in sequential order. The 6 days of creation are interpreted metaphorically, not as literal 24 hour days. The universe was instantly created in a moment. The days of creation are a metaphorical device. This view was held by great Christian thinkers such as Augustine and Anselm. 9

10 STUDY 2 - YOU CAN RULE THE WORLD Genesis 1:26-2:3 Getting started As humans, we are just a small part of a giant ecosystem. In the great scheme of things, we re no more important than the animals. Our job is to live in harmony with the world and do as little damage as possible. As a Christian, what do you think of this statement? Light from the Word Read Genesis 1: How does Day 6 break the pattern from the first five days? (Refresh your memory from the first study if necessary.) 2. What job(s) are men and women given to do? 3. How does the work men and women do show that they are like God? 4. What can we learn from these verses about the relationship between men and women? 10

11 5. A friend says, One of the worst things about Christianity is the way people are allowed to exploit the earth s resources. They should realize that they have no more right than any other living thing to be part of this world. How does Genesis 1 help you respond to this? (Also compare 2:15-16.) 6. Read Genesis 1:31-2:3 a. Why does God rest? b. What does God say about his creation? 7. Read Hebrews 2:5-9. How does the Lord Jesus fulfil God s plans for humanity? To finish 1. How does this passage help you to think about: a. why we work? b. how we work? c. what work is best to do in God s world? 11

12 Give thanks and pray Yet you have made [man] a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet (Ps 8:5-6; ESV) Thank God for the rule he has given us over this world, and the great standing we have as people made in his image. Pray that we may do our work in the world with care in a way that doesn t waste or ruin what God has given us. 12

13 STUDY 3 - MAN AND WOMAN Genesis 2:4-25 Getting started Men and women are more similar than they are different. Do you agree or disagree? How are they different? How are they similar? Light from the Word 1. Look at the description of the creation of man in Genesis 2:7. a. What does this verse tell us about the relationship between us and God? b. What does this verse tell us about ourselves? Read Genesis 2: What sort of world did God give us? 3. What was Adam supposed to do? 4. What was Adam supposed to avoid? 13

14 5. Read Genesis 2:18-25 a. Why is it not good for the man to be alone? (Compare 1:28, 2:5, 2:15) b. How will Eve help solve the problem of being alone? 6. What can you find in this chapter to suggest that men and women are equal? What can you find in this chapter to suggest that men and women have different roles? (Also compare with Gen 1:26-27) 7. God created a world filled with all kinds of relationships parent-child, teacher-student, friend-friend, husband-wife, etc. Why would he create a world brimming with relationships of all kinds? To finish There is a general trend sweeping across Western societies that seeks to blur sexual or gender differences and boundaries everything from gay marriage to gender fluidity thrives in this context. What light does Genesis 1-2 shed on our attempts to define ourselves, and create our own moral compasses? Give thanks and pray Thank God for the gift of relationships. Pray that those who are single and those who are married will look to their relationship with the Lord Jesus for fulfilment. 14

15 STUDY 4 - A FATAL MOVE Genesis 3 Getting started When bad things happen, what do people say to try to make sense of it? Think of as many different explanations Christian and non-christian as you can. Light from the Word Read Genesis 3: Compare the serpent s version of God s words with God s words in 2: a. How did the serpent twist the words of God? b. What do the serpent s words suggest about God s character? 2. Compare Eve s version of God s words with God s words in 2: a. How did Eve twist the words of God? b. What do Eve s words suggest about God s character? 15

16 3. What does the serpent promise if Adam and Eve disobey God? 4. When Adam and Eve eat from the tree, what are the immediate results of their disobedience? 5. Read 3:14-24 and notice how God curses the serpent, the woman and the man. What do these curses tell us about: a. God? b. What we can expect in our work and relationships? 6. According to Genesis 3:15, what we can expect in the future? (Also see Rom 16:20 and Rev 20:1-10.) To finish Think of three examples from present experience of how God s curses have come about. How can we use the insight of Genesis 3 in evangelism? Give thanks and pray Thank God that he has crushed Satan s head through the work of Jesus, and that evil will one day be defeated completely. Pray that we will be patient as we live life in a fallen world. 16

17 STUDY 5 - SIN THAT SPREADS Genesis 4-5 Getting started With good education and upbringing, we might not get rid of sin completely but we could bring it under control. What do you think of this idea? Light from the Word Read Genesis 4: What do you think was wrong with Cain s sacrifice? 2. What is the result of Cain s sin? Consider the results both for him and for his relationship with the rest of the world. 3. Is there any sign of mercy in God s judgement? If so, what? 4. Read Genesis 4:17-22 a. What sorts of human activities do Cain s descendants get involved in? b. Comparing Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 2:15 with this passage, why do you think the writer of Genesis might write about these activities? 17

18 5. Read Genesis 4: If you were comparing sins, what could you say about Lamech s sin in comparison with Cain s? 6. Comparing the events of this chapter with the events of chapter 3, what can we say about: a. the nature of sin? b. how sin is spreading? 7. Read Genesis 4:25-5:3, and 5:29. What hope do these verses suggest for the future? To finish Go back to the discussion starter. What could you say to your friend, based on what you ve learned from Genesis 4? Give thanks and pray Thank God that he is patient and loving, and that he provides Jesus as the way of dealing with sin. Pray that we would take sin seriously, and that we would not be led into temptation. 18

19 Suggested homework The flood covers a lot of ground, in more ways than one! So does the next session. If you want to be well prepared, read through Genesis 6:1-9:17 a few times, and note down any comments or questions. A general word about genealogies We might wonder why the writer of Genesis would choose to include genealogies at regular points in the story from creation through to the call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. One effect of reading these genealogies is that we realize we are not reading fiction. Whether or not we decide that parts of the Genesis story are strictly literal, we don t have the option of dismissing the stories as myth. Another thing we realize as we read is that there is a Good news, bad news aspect to these lists of individuals and their children. The good news is that babies continue to be born and humanity continues to fulfil God s plan that they be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. The bad news is that the curse of death is always apparent. Even though the life spans recorded in Genesis 5 are incredibly long, the refrain and he died is repeated time and again. Long life doesn t cure the reality of death. One reason for recording these long life spans may be to invite us to compare these life spans with the genealogies of Genesis 11: By the time we reach the last member of the family tree Abram life spans are coming close to what we would normally expect, and we realize that the curse of God is having its intended effect. 19

20 STUDY 6 - WET AND WETTER Genesis 6-9 Getting started Share any questions or observations you made from your reading of Genesis 6:1-9:17. At the end of the study, you can come back to discuss any unanswered questions. To accompany your own observations, here is a brief summary of the plot that might be helpful as an overview. This summary is based on the one by Walsh, found in Gordon Wenham s commentary, Genesis 1-15 (Word Books, Waco, Texas, 1987). 20

21 Light from the Word 1. Read Genesis 6:1-5. How bad have things become? 2. Read Genesis 6:5-21. What are the two main things God resolves to do? 3. From what you ve seen in previous chapters, would you say God s response is expected or unexpected? Why? 4. Look at Genesis 3:15 and Lamech s prophecy in Genesis 5:29. How does Noah meet the expectations presented in these verses? 5. Even though God saves righteous Noah, what do we learn about Noah (and people generally) after the flood? (See Genesis 8:21, 9:20-29.) 21

22 6. Read Genesis 7:21-23 and 8: What has happened to creation in the flood? 7. God has failed. Starting with the two passages you have just looked at, what s the evidence for and against this statement? 8. The Old Testament God is an angry God who loses his temper and lashes out like an abusive parent. How would you answer this complaint from Genesis 6-9? To finish Given what we know of God s character, how is the flood a warning or an encouragement to us? (Compare 2 Peter 3, especially vv. 1-7) Give thanks and pray Thank God that Noah s example of trusting God shows us how to respond to Jesus salvation. Pray that God would help us to fear his judgement. 22

23 STUDY 7 - BIG BUILDINGS & LITTLE BEGINNINGS Genesis 11:1-12:3 Getting started Imagine that you are a young and skillful builder, working out whether you should keep renting (which is relatively cheap in the short term) or build your own house (which is relatively expensive in the short term). How would you make this decision as a Christian? Use the table below to help you: Rent Build Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages 23

24 Light from the Word Read Genesis 11: What are the reasons for building the tower? 2. Think back over the first ten chapters of Genesis. What is wrong with these reasons? 3. Comparing the sin of tower-building with the description of people before the flood (Gen 6:5, 8:21), would you say that tower-building is better, worse, or no different? Why? Read Genesis 11: What is God s response to this plan? 5. How is God s response similar to previous responses? How is it different? 6. Read Genesis 11:27-12:3 24

25 a. What is exceptional or interesting about Abram? b. What has Abram done to deserve God s blessing? To finish How is the Babel story a warning to Christians? How is the start of the Abram story an encouragement to Christians? Give thanks and pray Thank God for his faithfulness to his promises, and for sending Jesus as redeemer of the world. Pray that we would learn the lessons of Babel and not rebel against the purposes of God. Suggested homework Try reading the whole of Genesis in one go. Write down a summary of what happens, together with any questions you have. 25

26 STUDY 8 - FAITH AND THE FUTURE Genesis 12 and beyond Getting started By the end of the story of the tower of Babel (see the previous study), how are things looking for: the future of humanity? the future of God s creation project? Light from the Word Read Genesis 12:1-3 and 15: What does God promise to give Abram? 2. Who or what does Abram put his faith in? 3. Genesis contains many stories that show Abram s faith in action. At times, his strong trust in God s promise is demonstrated by his obedience; at other times, his faith wavers. Skim through as many of the following episodes as you can, and use the table on the next page to summarize what you find. (If you are in a small group, you might like to divide up the passages between you.) 26

27 Episodes: 12:10-20 Abram and Sarai in Egypt 13:1-18 Abram and Lot divide the land 16:1-6 Sarai and Hagar 17:9-27 Covenant of circumcision 20:1-18 Abraham (formerly Abram), Sarah and Abimelech 22:1-19 The sacrifice of Isaac Abram s faith strong Abram s faith wavering Passage Summary Passage Summary e.g. 12:4-9 Abram obeys God s command to Go. 4. Look back through the table. Given what God has promised, how do the various incidents show God s faithfulness to his promises? 27

28 In Genesis 11-12, God begins with one man Abram and makes some promises that will, in time, bring about the redemption of his fallen creation. One fairly time-consuming exercise we could do now (which we will avoid for practical reasons) would be to move right through the rest of the Old and New Testaments to see how all this works out how God keeps his promises to Abram not only in Abram s own lifetime, but in the generations to come. God changes Abram s name to Abraham, which means father of many (see Genesis 17). The descendants of Abraham, through his son Isaac, become the nation Israel. Then, through the history of Israel in the Old Testament, God continues to make promises to the children of Abraham. Every one of these promises reinforces and adds detail to the original promise to Abraham. Some important examples that you might like to look up in your own time are Genesis 17:1-19, Exodus 19:1-6 and 2 Samuel 7:4-17. Notice how at the beginning of the New Testament, Matthew 1 reminds us that Jesus himself is the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). Jesus himself, in John 8:30-59, tells his hearers that Abraham looked forward to him. Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment of all God s promises to Abraham. 5. How does Jesus fulfil the promises God gave to Abraham? (See Galatians 3:7-14; Hebrews 11:8-16, 39-40) 6. Read Romans 4:1-3 and 4: How is Abraham s relationship to God a model for us to follow? 7. I m worried that my faith is not strong enough and that I am not right with God. How does Abraham s story bring reassurance? 28

29 To finish Think back over the series of studies. What have you learned about God and his character? How are these lessons about God seen most clearly in Jesus Christ? Give thanks and pray Thank God for his astounding work of creation and salvation. Pray that we will be able to share the faith of Abraham by telling people about Jesus. 29