genesis 1. different responses anger and impatience with those who deny its literal truth anger and...

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Different responsesDifferent responses

Anger and impatience with those who deny its literal truthAnger and impatience with those who deny its literal truth

Anger and impatiencewith those who insist on literal truthAnger and impatiencewith those who insist on literal truth

Fear and confusion: want to believe the Bible but don’t know howFear and confusion: want to believe the Bible but don’t know how

Indifference and apathy:want to stick to New TestamentIndifference and apathy:want to stick to New Testament

Understanding Genesis Understanding Genesis

1. What was the author wanting to teach us?1. What was the author wanting to teach us?

(What form of literature is the author using?)(What form of literature is the author using?)

2. How does this apply to us today?2. How does this apply to us today?

1 In the beginning God ...

Genesis 1Genesis 1

“Genesis” from Latin beginning“Genesis” from Latin beginning

1 In the beginning God ...

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Who is speaking?Who is speaking?

Traditionally MosesTraditionally Moses

Editors; Moses-Exile?Editors; Moses-Exile?

If Genesis not concerned - neither should weIf Genesis not concerned - neither should we

Books of MosesBooks of Moses

But speak of MosesBut speak of Moses

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the

waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1


waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

“Created” = Purposed, designed, shaped and formed“Created” = Purposed, designed, shaped and formed


waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

“Heaven & Earth” - everything“Heaven & Earth” - everything



waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1



“Darkness/Waters” - Chaos - Not God“Darkness/Waters” - Chaos - Not God


waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1




“Spirit of God” - Unseen power and presence of God“Spirit of God” - Unseen power and presence of God

Literally - Breath wind/of GodLiterally - Breath wind/of God


waters.

Genesis 1Genesis 1




“Spirit of God” - Unseen power and presence of God“Spirit of God” - Unseen power and presence of God

“Hovering” - as an eagle “Hovering” - as an eagle

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good,

and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he

called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning --the first day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning --the second day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

9And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground

appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called

"seas." And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation:

seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed

according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening,

and there was morning --the third day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

14And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the

night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on

the earth." And it was so. 16God made two great lights --the greater light to govern the day and

the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from

darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening, and there was morning --the

fourth day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God

created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water

teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw

that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there

was morning --the fifth day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock,

creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to

their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was

good.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them

rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the

earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the

image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature

that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of

the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the

birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground --everything that has the breath of life in it --I give every green plant for food."

And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening,

and there was morning --the sixth day.

Genesis 1Genesis 1

Genesis 21 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed

in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the

seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 2Genesis 2

Understanding Genesis Understanding Genesis 1. What was the author wanting to teach us?1. What was the author wanting to teach us?

Clues -Clues -

RepetitionRepetition PhrasesPhrases

IdeasIdeas

Breaks in patternBreaks in pattern

Repeated phrases of Genesis 1Repeated phrases of Genesis 1

Genesis 1And God said, “Let there be ......... ”

and there was/it was so God saw that the ............. was good,

And there was evening, and there was morning—the ...... day.

Day 1:Light Repeated phrases of Genesis 1Repeated phrases of Genesis 1




Day 1:Light

Day 2:Expanse (Firmament) earth and skies(not declared good)





Day 1:Light


Day 3:Land, Seas & plants





Day 1:Light



Day 4:Sun & Moon





Day 1:Light



Day 4:Sun & Moon

Day 5:Birds and Fish





Day 1:Light



Day 4:Sun & Moon


Day 6:Animals & Man






1. God said and it was so1. God said and it was so






2. It was good2. It was good










3. Evening and morning - day3. Evening and morning - day


Clues -Clues -


IdeasIdeas





Repeated ideas of Genesis 1Repeated ideas of Genesis 1

1. God - 32 times in 35 verses1. God - 32 times in 35 verses

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good,

and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there

was morning --the first day.

Repeated ideas of Genesis 1Repeated ideas of Genesis 1

1. God - 32 times in 35 verses1. God - 32 times in 35 verses

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move

along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male

and female he created them.

2. Man made in the image of God by God2. Man made in the image of God by God


Clues -Clues -


IdeasIdeas




1. God1. God

2. Man made in the image of God2. Man made in the image of God


Breaks in the pattern of Genesis 1Breaks in the pattern of Genesis 1

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move

along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male

and female he created them.




31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was

morning --the sixth day.

2. Creation very good2. Creation very good

3. Rest3. Rest



2. Creation very good2. Creation very good

Genesis 21 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed

in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the

seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.


Clues -Clues -


IdeasIdeas

God said and it was soGod said and it was so

It was goodIt was good

Evening and morning - dayEvening and morning - day

GodGod

Man made in the image of GodMan made in the image of God

Breaks in patternBreaks in pattern Man made in the image of GodMan made in the image of God

RestRest

Creation very goodCreation very good





GodGod



RestRest



God said and it was soGod said and it was soGodGod

God designed, purposed and created the world God designed, purposed and created the world





RestRest





GodGod



Nature was goodNature was good




RestRest




GodGod






Man is uniquely in God's imageMan is uniquely in God's image

Evening and morning - dayEvening and morning - day RestRest




GodGod







6 Days of work 1 day of rest - the created order of life6 Days of work 1 day of rest - the created order of life

Evening and morning - dayEvening and morning - day RestRest






Who made the world?Who made the world?







What was the world like morally/spiritually?What was the world like morally/spiritually?








What is man’s place in creation?What is man’s place in creation?









How then should we live?How then should we live?


When was the world made?When was the world made?

But what about ...But what about ...

No attempt to answer this anywhere in the Bible




How did God make the world?How did God make the world?

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

And God said ... And it was so.



How long did creation take?How long did creation take?


What form of literature is the author using? What form of literature is the author using?

Literal or non literalLiteral or non literal

How did God make the world?How did God make the world?

How do we understand the Bible?How do we understand the Bible?

1 Corinthians 153 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Is this true?

NARRATIVE - Its truth is NARRATIVE - Its truth is literalliteral


John 151 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…”

Is this true?

METAPHOR - Its truth depends on METAPHOR - Its truth depends on correctly understanding the meaningcorrectly understanding the meaning

5I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me he can do nothing.”


Isaiah 5512You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their

hands.

Is this true?

POETRY - Its truth depends on POETRY - Its truth depends on correctly understanding the meaningcorrectly understanding the meaning


Luke 1030 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the

hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half

dead..”

Is this true?

PARABLE - Its truth is not dependent PARABLE - Its truth is not dependent on whether it actually happenedon whether it actually happened


1 Corinthians 153 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Is this true?

NARRATIVE - Its truth is NARRATIVE - Its truth is literalliteral


1 Corinthians 15 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

We usually learn from the context what style of

literature it is


1. We need to recognise the style of writing

2. We need to ask the right

questions


2. We need to ask the right questions

John 151 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…”

What did Jesus look like?

What did is the relationship between disciples and Jesus to be like?

5I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me he can do nothing.”



Are trees & mountains living spirits?

What kind of feeling is the future joy of following God?

Isaiah 5512You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the

mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.



Did a man really get beaten?



dead..”

Luke 1025 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 30 In reply Jesus said: ...



Did a man really get beaten?

What kind of people am I to love?



dead..”

In what kind of way?

How do we understand Genesis 1?How do we understand Genesis 1?


1. We need to recognise the style of writing


What form of literature is the author using?What form of literature is the author using?

Parable to convey truth?Parable to convey truth?

Narrative to reveal truth?Narrative to reveal truth?

oror





6 Days of work 1 day of rest6 Days of work 1 day of rest














144 hours??144 hours??

How long did it take?How long did it take?



Parable or narrative to convey truth?Parable or narrative to convey truth?

Are there any non-literal clues?Are there any non-literal clues?

Genesis 2 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh

day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Does God rest?Does God rest?






Did the writer intend to teach us that God rested/rests literally?Did the writer intend to teach us that God rested/rests literally?

Anthropomorphism - attributing human characteristics to God to help us understand the unknowable

Anthropomorphism - attributing human characteristics to God to help us understand the unknowable

Anthropomorphism2 Samuel 21:1During the reign of David, here was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 30:12 Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. Psalms36:7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.






Did the writer intend to teach us that God rested/rests literally?Did the writer intend to teach us that God rested/rests literally?

Did the writer intend to teach us to rest using a parable of God resting?Did the writer intend to teach us to rest using a parable of God resting?

AnthropomorphismAnthropomorphism





Day 4:Sun & Moon


Day 6:Animals & Man

Day 2:Expanse; earth and skies

Day 1:Light & Darkness







Day 4:Sun & Moon


Day 1:Light & Darkness Day 4:Sun & Moon


Day 6:Animals & Man

Day 6:Animals & Man







Day 1:Light & Darkness Day 4:Sun & Moon


Day 6:Animals & Man

Day 7:Rest

Pattern to emphasise rest?Pattern to emphasise rest?





Are there any non-literal clues?Are there any non-literal clues? 3 And God said, "Let there

be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called

"night." And there was evening, and there was

morning --the first day.



14And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from

the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15and let them

be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16God made two great lights --the greater light to govern the

day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17God set them in the

expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,

18to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that

it was good. 19And there was evening, and there was morning --the fourth day.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light... 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called

"night." And there was evening, and there was morning --the first day.

14... Let there be lights ... separate the day from the night... God made two great lights -the greater light to

govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night... 19 And there was evening, and there was morning --the

fourth day.





Light and days created before SunLight and days created before Sun





First three days seem not to be literal daysFirst three days seem not to be literal days





Pattern to emphasise rest?Pattern to emphasise rest?

Anthropomorphic restAnthropomorphic rest





Not conclusively narrativeNot conclusively narrative

Issue of how long not important theologicallyIssue of how long not important theologically

Idea of parable does not diminish truth or importance of passageIdea of parable does not diminish truth or importance of passage



1. What was the author wanting to teach us?1. What was the author wanting to teach us?






Challenge to the philosophy of Evolution not the science of EvolutionChallenge to the philosophy of Evolution not the science of Evolution

Genesis, Science and EvolutionGenesis, Science and Evolution

Science;Science; Knowledge covering general truths of the operation of the physical worldobtained and tested through observable and recorded methods

Knowledge covering general truths of the operation of the physical worldobtained and tested through observable and recorded methods

Scientific theory;Scientific theory;

Rules and predictions suggested based on what is observedConstantly checked and re-evaluated

Rules and predictions suggested based on what is observedConstantly checked and re-evaluated

Evolution;Evolution; A scientific theory concerning the origin of speciesA scientific theory concerning the origin of species

Evolutionary philosophy;Evolutionary philosophy;

A world view concerning the design and purpose of natureA world view concerning the design and purpose of nature

“Science is an attempt to understand how our universe works, including humans. What is religion? It is an attempt to understand the purpose, the meaning of this universe, including humans. If there is purpose and meaning, then that purpose and meaning must have a great deal to do the structure and how it works. The two have to come together. So studying either one should teach us something about the other. They must be closely related and my argument is that they are going to converge more and more.”

Nobel Prize winner Charles H Townes, inventor of the maser, forerunner of the laser beam - June 2005, Third Way

“Science is an attempt to understand how our universe works, including humans. What is religion? It is an attempt to understand the purpose, the meaning of this universe, including humans. If there is purpose and meaning, then that purpose and meaning must have a great deal to do the structure and how it works. The two have to come together. So studying either one should teach us something about the other. They must be closely related and my argument is that they are going to converge more and more.”

Nobel Prize winner Charles H Townes, inventor of the maser, forerunner of the laser beam - June 2005, Third Way


Science good when ...Science good when ...

Leading to the awe and wonder of God’s glory in creationLeading to the awe and wonder of God’s glory in creation

Leading to developments that bring healing and well beingLeading to developments that bring healing and well being

Science bad when ...Science bad when ...

Used to harm humansUsed to harm humans

Genesis, Science and EvolutionGenesis, Science and EvolutionScience;Science; Universe expanding outwardsUniverse expanding outwards

Scientific theory;Scientific theory;

Universe began with a big bangUniverse began with a big bang

Evolution;Evolution; Animals species developed from each other over many yearsAnimals species developed from each other over many years

Evolutionary philosophy;Evolutionary philosophy;

Creation of earth by big bang randomCreation of earth by big bang random

Animal species are related in groupings Animal species are related in groupings

Earth 4.5 Billion Years oldEarth 4.5 Billion Years old

Life developed many years after planetLife developed many years after planet

Animal species developed by natural selectionAnimal species developed by natural selection

Mankind is an animal - not uniqueMankind is an animal - not unique


Science;Science;

Theory;Theory;

Philosophy;Philosophy;


Science;Science; Universe expanding outwardsUniverse expanding outwards

Theory;Theory; Universe began with a big bangUniverse began with a big bang

Philosophy;Philosophy; Creation of earth by big bang randomCreation of earth by big bang random


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ... And God said ... And it was so


Science;Science; Animal species are related in groupings Animal species are related in groupings

Theory;Theory;Animals species developed from

each other over many yearsAnimals species developed from

each other over many years

Philosophy;Philosophy; Animal species developed by natural selection

Animal species developed by natural selection

Another great moment in Evolution

Kamodo DragonsKamodo Dragons

“They came up with that idea”“They came up with that idea”


Science;Science; Animal species are related in groupings Animal species are related in groupings

Theory;Theory;Animals species developed from

each other over many yearsAnimals species developed from

each other over many years

Philosophy;Philosophy; Animal species developed by natural selection

Animal species developed by natural selection


24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each

according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that

move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.


Science;Science; Mankind has similar features to animals Mankind has similar features to animals

Theory;Theory; Mankind developed from animalsMankind developed from animals

Philosophy;Philosophy; Mankind is an animal not uniqueMankind is an animal not unique

Man is uniquely in God's image Man is uniquely in God's image

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over ...




Challenge to the philosophy of Evolution not the science of EvolutionChallenge to the philosophy of Evolution not the science of Evolution

genesis 1. different responses anger and impatience with those who deny its literal truth anger and...

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