Genesis 1-11 Beginnings, 1:1-2:3

“In the beginning God created the heavens

and the earth.”Gen.1:1

Theme

Creation is God’s way

of revealing Himself

and expressing

His love for us.

Introduction

The Creation Debates

“Any debate with creationists

would give them the oxygen of

respectability.”

[Richard Dawkins, Evolutionist/Atheist]

A. Prediction Coming True

Romans 1:18-20

JUDGMENT: The wrath of God is being revealed from

heaven…

TARGET: “…against all the godlessness and

wickedness of men…”

JUSTIFICATION: “…who suppress the truth by their

wickedness, since what may be known about God is

plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”

“For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.

God has put this knowledge in their hearts.”

B. Prediction Coming True

“I am all in favor of a dialogue between science and religion, but

not a constructive dialogue. One of the great achievements of

science has been, if not to make it impossible for an intelligent

person to be religious, then at least to make it possible for them

not to be religious. We should not retreat from this

accomplishment.”

[Steven Weinberg, Physicist]

“The problem is get [people] to reject irrational and supernatural

explanations of the world, the demons that exist only in their

imaginations, and to accept a social and intellectual apparatus,

Science, as the only begetter of truth.” [Richard

Lewontin, Harvard Geneticist]

C. Prediction Coming True

JUSTIFICATION DETAILED:

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible

qualities—

• his eternal power and divine nature—

• have been clearly seen,

• being understood from what has been made,

Conclusion: …so that men are without excuse.

D. Great Truth AvoidedThe words miracle and supernatural are not in the

Bible. The things God has done are “wonders” –

things that have rules and principles like

anything else, but are too big for our brains.

Contrast this with the explanations the laws we

already know about which must be violated for

false points of view to be constructed and

promoted.

Nothing can come into being from that which is

not”- Demokritos, Greek Philosopher

1. The Importance Of Genesis 1-11Where do we start to discover God’s Person, Plan & Rulership?

“In some ways these chapters [Gen. 1-11] are the most important ones in the Bible, for they put man in his cosmic setting and show him his peculiar uniqueness.

They explain man’s wonder and yet his flaw. Without a proper understanding of these chapters we have no answer to the problems of metaphysics [study of the nature of reality], morals, or epistemology [study of the nature of knowledge]…

…and furthermore, the work of Christ becomes one more upper-story “religious” answer.”

[Francis Schaeffer, Genesis in Space and Time]

2. The Impact Of Genesis 1-11What is the relationship of Genesis to the rest of the faith?

Genesis the most referenced book in the Bible by the Bible

It provides the foundation facts for the Faith

1. Origin and prominence of man

2. Equality of man and the myth of races

3. Sin in the nature not just law-breaker. We all die.

4. Origin of the Curse on the world

5. Sanctity of life (made in the image of God.)

6. Cycle: Sin, Death, Redeemer, Blood sacrifice

7. Lordship of God – Created all things.

What Does Jesus Say About Genesis?

Jesus referred to the events in Genesis often,

affirming their historicity:

Adam & Eve

The Devil

Marriage,

The judgment of Lot’s wife,

Abraham, etc.

3. The Information In Genesis 1

What Do We Discover

In Genesis?

1. God Made A “Complete” System

• Time• Matter• Meaningful Form• Apparent Age

Adam was an adult not an infant

The birds flew

The mammals did not need their mother’s milk

There were animals over the face of the earth

The earth itself sustained all life

2. God Made An “Impossible” System

It confounds any naturalistic explanation

Mark 2:11,12 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and

go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked

out in full view of them all. This amazed

everyone and they praised God, saying, “We

have never seen anything like this!”

It becomes more incredible the more we examine

it

It consistently reveals more about God

3. God Made A “Good” System

“very good” v.31

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

4. God Made A “Gifted” SystemThen God said, “I give you…” 28,29,30

It was ours to use

It was ours to care for

It was ours to protect from danger

The Challenge

• Put your trust in God’s Word• Let God speak to you through His Word• Let Him know You receive His Word as

truth and true.