Genesis - Introduction

Written By Multiple Authors

Genesis 1 – The Account of God’s Creation

Genesis 1 – The Account of God’s Creation

Introduction

There are only two foundational worldviews:

  • Either all existence is the result of a random cosmic accident, or

  • Humanity is the product of intentional design by a divine Creator.

Four essential questions confront every individual:

  1. Who am I?

  2. Where did I come from?

  3. Why am I here?

  4. What happens when I die?

Two Foundational Discoveries

  1. The Bible is an Integrated Message System, comprising sixty-six distinct books authored by forty individuals across millennia.

  2. This message system likely originates beyond our time-bound reality.

One Unified Design:
The New Testament is concealed within the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.

The Central Theme

The Old Testament chronicles the story of a Nation, while the New Testament tells the story of a Man—Jesus Christ. The Creator entered His creation as a man, and His incarnation is the central event of all history. Christ’s sacrificial death redeems humanity, and His resurrection affirms the victory of life. The Bible’s supreme purpose is to know Him.

The Torah: The Five Books of Moses

Genesis: The Book of Beginnings
Exodus: The Birth of a Nation
Leviticus: The Laws of the Nation
Numbers: The Wilderness Wanderings
Deuteronomy: The Laws Reviewed

Authorship of the Torah

The Documentary Hypothesis (Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis) posits that the Torah was compiled by later editors, identified as:

  • J: Jehovahist/Yahwist

  • E: Elohist

  • D: Deuteronomic Source

  • P: Priestly Source

This hypothesis lacks compelling historical, linguistic, or textual evidence. Scholars such as Oswalt T. Allis, R. N. Whybray, E. J. Young, Umberto Cassuto, R. K. Harrison, and Kenneth A. Kitchen have thoroughly refuted these claims.

Luke 24: The Walk to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-16 (NKJV): “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.”

Luke 24:17-32 (NKJV):
Jesus asked them about their conversation. One of them, Cleopas, recounted the events concerning Jesus of Nazareth, “a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). They lamented His crucifixion and expressed astonishment at reports of His resurrection.

Jesus responded, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26). He expounded on the Scriptures, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, revealing how they testified of Him. When they recognized Him during a meal, their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures.

Key Rebuttals

  1. The Emmaus Road Account emphasizes Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

  2. Christ authenticates Moses as the author of the Torah (Matthew 8:4; 19:7-8; 23:2; Mark 1:44; 10:3-4; Luke 5:14; 16:19-31; 24:27, 44; John 3:14; 5:39, 45-46; 6:32; 7:19).

  3. All Scripture is Christ-centered (John 5:39; Psalm 40:7; Matthew 5:17-18).

  4. Numerous New Testament references affirm the historical events and figures of Genesis:

    • Adam: Deuteronomy, Job, 1 Chronicles

    • Noah: Isaiah, Ezekiel

    • Abraham: Fifteen Old Testament and eleven New Testament references

    • Jacob: Twenty Old Testament and seventeen New Testament references

New Testament References to Genesis

The Creator and Creation: Matthew 13:35; Mark 13:19; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10; 11:3
Creation of Man and Woman: Matthew 19:4-6; Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:31
The Fall: Romans 5:11, 14, 19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Revelation 20:2
The Flood: Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26; 1 Peter 3:20
The Patriarchs: Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 11:4-7, 23

Christ as the Fulfillment of Scripture

John 5:39 (NKJV): “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
John 1:1-3 (NKJV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV): “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

Why Study Genesis?

Genesis, as the Book of Beginnings, introduces key concepts foundational to faith:

  • Creation

  • Man and Woman

  • Marriage

  • Sin and Redemption

  • Sacrifice and Grace

Genesis also anticipates and counters false philosophies:

  • Atheism: Declares a Creator.

  • Pantheism: Affirms God’s transcendence.

  • Polytheism: Confirms monotheism.

  • Materialism: Asserts matter’s beginning.

  • Evolutionism: Proclaims divine creation.

  • Uniformitarianism: Demonstrates God’s intervention.

Major Doctrines Rooted in Genesis

  • Sovereign Election

  • Justification by Faith

  • Salvation

  • Divine Incarnation

  • Rapture of the Church

  • Resurrection

  • The Antichrist

  • Priesthoods (Aaronic and Melchizedek)

Genesis Outline

Part 1

  • Genesis 1-2: Creation

  • Genesis 3: The Fall of Man

  • Genesis 4: Cain and Abel

  • Genesis 5: Genealogy of Noah

  • Genesis 6-9: The Flood

  • Genesis 10-11: Tower of Babel

Part 2

  • Genesis 12-20: Abraham

  • Genesis 21-26: Isaac

  • Genesis 27-36: Jacob

  • Genesis 37-50: Joseph

The Creation Week

  1. Day One: “Let there be light”

  2. Day Two: Expansion of the heavens

  3. Day Three: Land and vegetation

  4. Day Four: Sun, moon, and stars

  5. Day Five: Sea creatures and birds

  6. Day Six: Land animals and humanity




A Few Assists for Studying the Bible

The Word of God is inexhaustible. The truth lies in the details, and every detail is intricately connected to every other. It forms an integrated message. What should we do with "difficult" passages? Put Christ right in the center and observe the clarity that emerges. You will discover that Christ is on every page!

Some Fundamental Questions

  • Is the Universe fifteen billion years old (based on Hubble Telescope data and other evidence)?

  • Was it created in six literal days (144 hours)? Were aging factors built into the creation? Was light created “in transit”?

  • Or, are the “days” of Genesis better understood as geological eras? Was “evolution” the mechanism God used?

The Nature of Reality: A Glimpse of Hyperspaces

Hyperspaces describe spaces with more than three dimensions. The rules of plane geometry and trigonometry, familiar from school, apply only to two-dimensional space. In spherical (three-dimensional) trigonometry:

  • A triangle with more than 180 degrees implies a convex surface.

  • A triangle with less than 180 degrees implies a concave surface.

Einstein’s Revolution

  • Special Relativity (1905): Length, mass, velocity, and time are relative to the observer’s velocity.

  • General Relativity (1915): Time and space are not separate but form a four-dimensional continuum. This theory has been confirmed through fourteen experiments to an accuracy of nineteen decimal places.

Modern physics offers insights that deepen our understanding of biblical truths. For example:

Gravitational Time Dilation

Identical atomic clocks are located in Boulder, Colorado (elevation 5,400 feet) and Greenwich, England (elevation 80 feet). The Boulder clock ticks five microseconds per year faster than the Greenwich clock due to the difference in gravitational force. A demonstration in 1971 used two aircraft carrying atomic clocks:

  • The plane traveling eastward lost 0.059 microseconds.

  • The plane traveling westward gained 0.273 microseconds.

These results align precisely with Einstein’s formulas. Time, therefore, is not uniform but varies with mass, acceleration, and gravity. We exist in a universe with more than three dimensions (potentially up to ten). This understanding can resolve many theological paradoxes.

The Nature of God

Is God subject to the limitations of mass, acceleration, or gravity? No. God exists outside the constraints of time and space.

Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV): “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’”

God’s ability to create humanity implies He also possesses the means to communicate with us. He authenticates His message through prophecy.

Isaiah 46:10 (NKJV): “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

Thoughts to Begin With When Studying the Bible

  1. We approach the Bible with the understanding that God exists.

    a. There are strong philosophical and logical reasons to believe in God, but the Bible focuses on revealing how we can know He exists.

    b. Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV): “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

    c. Romans 1:20 (NKJV): “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

    This teleological argument demonstrates that the world’s design reflects purposeful intelligence—an argument that remains unanswered by atheism or agnosticism.

  2. We approach the Bible as God’s perfect and comprehensive revelation to man.

    a. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV): “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

    b. The Bible must be understood literally according to its literary context. For example:

    i. Historical accounts in Scripture are true and accurate.
    ii. Poetic passages express genuine emotions and experiences.
    iii. Prophetic passages describe events that will occur precisely as written.
    iv. Instructional passages reveal God’s will and the best way of life.

    Psalm 119:128 (NKJV): “Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.”

    c. Misinterpreting the Bible—viewing it as subjective or symbolic without basis—places human judgment above divine revelation. While the teachings of Scripture have many applications, they have only one true interpretation.

    Henry Morris: “The only proper way to interpret Genesis 1 is not to ‘interpret’ it at all. That is, we accept the fact that it was meant to say exactly what it says.”

  3. We approach the Bible knowing that the manuscripts we have are reliable copies of the original texts.

    a. The reliability of the Old Testament is affirmed by the careful preservation of Jewish scribes and the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
    b. The New Testament, supported by early manuscripts and extensive cross-checking, is the most reliable ancient document in existence. Less than 0.1% of the text is in question, with no theological doctrines affected.

The Unique Importance of the Book of Genesis

4. We Come to the Bible Knowing the Unique Importance of the Book of Genesis

  1. The Bible would be incomplete—and perhaps incomprehensible—without the Book of Genesis. It sets the stage for the entire drama of redemption, which unfolds throughout the rest of Scripture.

  2. Almost all of the important doctrines and teachings of the Bible have their foundation in Genesis.

    a. Genesis gives the foundation for the doctrines of:

    • Sin, the fall, redemption, and justification.

    • The promise of the Messiah and Jesus Christ.

    • The personality and personhood of God.

    • The kingdom of God.

    b. Genesis shows us the origin of:

    • The universe.

    • Order and complexity.

    • The solar system.

    • The atmosphere and hydrosphere.

    • Life, man, and marriage.

    • Good and evil.

    • Language, government, culture, nations, and religion.

    c. It is precisely because people have abandoned the truth of Genesis that society is in such disarray.

  3. Genesis is important to the New Testament.

    a. There are at least 165 passages in Genesis either directly quoted or clearly referred to in the New Testament. Many of these are quoted more than once, resulting in at least 200 quotations or allusions to Genesis in the New Testament.

    b. John 5:46-47 (NKJV): “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

    • We cannot truthfully and consistently say we believe in Jesus if we do not believe in the Book of Genesis.

    c. Martin Luther wrote: “I beg and faithfully warn every pious Christian not to stumble at the simplicity of the language and stories that will often meet him there [in Genesis]. He should not doubt that, however simple they may seem, these are the very words, works, judgments, and deeds of the high majesty, power, and wisdom of God” (cited in Boice).

5. According to the New Testament, Moses Wrote the Book of Genesis

  1. Luke 24:27 (NKJV): “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

    Luke 24:44 (NKJV): “Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’”

  2. We can surmise that Moses wrote Genesis with help from actual written records from the past, which God had preserved.

    a. There are indicators of where these records begin and end, marked by phrases such as:

    • “This is the history”

    • “This is the book”

    • “This is the genealogy”

    b. These phrases appear in passages such as Genesis 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10, 11:27, 25:12, 25:19, 36:1, 36:9, and 37:2.

    c. Henry Morris: “Thus it is probable that the Book of Genesis was written originally by actual eyewitnesses of the events reported therein. Probably the original narratives were recorded on tables of stone or clay, in common practice of early times, and then handed down from father to son, finally coming into the possession of Moses. Moses perhaps selected the appropriate sections for compilation, inserted his own editorial additions and comments, and provided smooth transitions from one document to the next, with the final result being the Book of Genesis as we have received it.”

The First Five Days of Creation

1. The Philosophical Importance of Knowing God as Creator

  1. Jean-Paul Sartre and the Fundamental Question of Existence:

    • The essential problem of philosophy is: Why is there something instead of nothing? Everything else in our lives flows from the answer to this question.

  2. If everything, including ourselves, is the result of random, meaningless occurrences, then it defines our significance and destiny.

    • In such a scenario, human dignity and honor are mere sentimental illusions. There is no greater law than survival of the fittest.

  3. Arthur Schopenhauer: The great German philosopher, who often dressed like a vagrant, was once asked by a suspicious policeman, “Who are you?” Schopenhauer replied, “I would to God I knew.”

    • The only way to truly discover our identity is through God, beginning with Genesis.

2. Theological Implications of Creation

  1. There are many possible answers to the question of how everything came into being.

    a. Some assert that once there was absolutely nothing, and now there is something.
    b. Others (including Scripture) affirm that before creation, there was a Personal Being—God.

  2. A Story from Physics:

    • In a famous lecture, students told a renowned professor they had decided there was no God. The professor asked how much collective knowledge they had of the entire world. After discussion, the students estimated they knew 5% of all human knowledge. The professor then asked, “Is it possible that God exists in the 95% you don’t know?”

God’s Work as Creator

(1) A Simple Factual Statement Regarding God’s Work as Creator

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV): “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Creation Week: Sunday, Day One

The Holy Spirit begins to move. Major topics include:

  • Origin of Satan

  • The Mysterious Nature of Light

The details of the early chapters of Genesis—the Creation and the Flood—pervade the entire Bible and are clearly confirmed in the New Testament and by Jesus Christ personally. God does not deceive or lie. These issues must not be neglected; they are foundational to the entire biblical plan of redemption.

Hebrew Analysis of Genesis 1:1

  • Beresheet Bara Elohim et ha-Shamayim et ha-Eretz

    • Beresheet: “In beginning”

    • Bara: “Create out of nothing”

    • Elohim: “God” (a plural noun used as singular)

Young Earth Indicators

  1. Moon Dust: The lunar surface is exposed to direct sunlight, ultraviolet light, and x-rays, which reduce surface rock to dust at a rate of a few ten-thousandths of an inch per year. However, only a few thousand years’ worth of dust has been found, consistent with a young moon (R. A. Lyttleton, NASA consultant, 1956).

  2. Earth’s Magnetic Field: The half-life of Earth’s magnetic field is approximately 1,400 years. Measurements from 1835 to 1965 suggest an age of less than 10,000 years. If extrapolated further back, the generated heat would liquefy the earth (Thomas G. Barnes, “Origin and Destiny of the Earth’s Magnetic Field,” ICR, 1983).

  3. Mississippi River Delta: Sediments deposited annually by the Mississippi River suggest the delta’s age is about 4,000 years (Henry M. Morris, ICR).

  4. Ocean Salinity: Concentrations of uranium, sodium, and other elements in the oceans are far less than expected if they were added at current rates for millions of years. This suggests oceans are only a few thousand years old (Henry Morris, S. A. Austin, Dr. Humphreys).

  5. Poynting-Robertson Effect: Photons slow the movement of micrometeoroids, causing them to spiral into the sun. The sun sweeps space at a rate of about 100,000 tons per day, consistent with a young universe (Stanley P. Wyatt Jr. and Fred L. Whipple, 1950).

  6. Radiohalos: Primordial Polonium-218, with a half-life of three minutes, has been found in mica and fluorite. This indicates instantaneous crystallization of the host granite concurrent with the formation of the polonium, suggesting instantaneous creation.

  7. Velocity of c (Speed of Light): Evidence suggests the speed of light may have decreased. Changes in atomic behavior relative to orbital clocks align with this hypothesis, supporting a young creation model (T. C. Van Flandern, U.S. Naval Observatory).

  8. Quantization of Red Shift: Gravity distortions during an early expansion phase and time standing still at event horizons point to a universe of deliberate design.

Two Critical Discoveries

  1. Integrated Message System: The Bible is an integrated message system consisting of 66 books penned by 40 authors over thousands of years. Every detail reflects deliberate design.

  2. Transcendent Origin: The Bible demonstrates origins outside our time domain, authenticated by prophecy and divine revelation.

God’s Creative Power

  1. God Created: The Bible plainly states that God created the heavens and the earth. This is elaborated in subsequent verses but begins with this foundational declaration.

    a. “It is no accident that God is the subject of the first sentence of the Bible, for this word dominates the whole chapter and catches the eye at every point of the page: it is used some thirty-five times in as many verses of the story” (Kidner).

    b. Belief in Genesis 1:1 simplifies belief in the rest of the Bible. The God who created the universe is big enough to accomplish all He declares.

  2. The Hebrew Word Elohim:

    a. Elohim is a plural noun used with singular verbs and pronouns, pointing to the mystery of the Trinity. Rabbi Simeon ben Joachi described Elohim as “three degrees… joined together in one” (quoted by Adam Clarke).

    b. Martin Luther stated, “Moses aimed to indicate the Trinity or the three persons in the one divine nature” (cited in Leupold).

  3. The Vastness of Creation:

    a. The Milky Way contains 200 billion stars and takes 250 million years for one rotation. The average distance between galaxies is 20 million trillion miles, with Andromeda being our closest neighbor at 12 million trillion miles.

    b. Isaiah 48:13 (NKJV): “Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand up together.”

    c. God’s greatness surpasses creation: Isaiah 40:12 (NKJV): “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?”

Refuting Chance Creation

  1. “Chance” is not a creative force but merely a description of statistical probability. Jacques Monod’s assertion that “pure chance” is the root of creation lacks logical coherence.

  2. Carl Sagan’s search for intelligent life used patterns in radio signals to identify intelligent design. Similarly, the order and complexity of the universe reflect divine intelligence.

  3. The fine-tuning of the universe defies random occurrence:

    a. Gravitational Force: Just-right for star formation and life. b. Speed of Light: Balanced for sufficient light and heat. c. Water Polarity: Essential for life chemistry and solvent properties.

Instantaneous Creation

  1. The Hebrew word “bara” indicates creation out of nothing, affirming God’s transcendence and separateness from His creation.

  2. Unlike Eastern pantheistic views, the Bible teaches that the universe could perish, but God remains eternal.

Isaiah 48:13 (NKJV): “Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens.”

  1. Humanity’s ability to reproduce in God’s image is why Satan seeks to pervert sexuality—a gift tied deeply to the divine image.

Bereshit Bara Elohim: God created the heavens and the earth with precision, purpose, and power.

Additional Topics on Genesis and Creation

Origin of Satan

The Bible identifies Satan as a created being who fell due to pride (Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-15). His rebellion likely occurred before the events of Genesis 3, positioning him as the deceiver in the Garden of Eden. His fall is foundational to understanding sin and redemption.

The Mysterious Nature of Light

Light is mentioned in Genesis 1:3 before the creation of the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-19). This suggests a divine source of light, independent of celestial bodies, symbolizing God's glory and presence (Revelation 21:23).

Expanded Insights on Young Earth Indicators

Fossil Records

Fossilization processes observed today occur rapidly under specific conditions. The catastrophic nature of the global flood described in Genesis 6-9 provides a plausible explanation for widespread fossil layers.

Radiometric Dating Critique

Radiometric dating methods, while widely used, rely on unprovable assumptions about initial conditions, decay rates, and contamination. These limitations support a young-earth perspective consistent with biblical timelines.

Starlight and Time

The observation of distant starlight challenges a young universe. However, theories such as gravitational time dilation and the possibility of God creating light "in transit" align with biblical creation accounts (Genesis 1:17).

Jesus Christ’s Affirmation of Genesis

  1. Matthew 19:4-6 (NKJV): “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”

    • Jesus directly referenced Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, affirming their historical and theological accuracy.

  2. Matthew 24:37-39 (NKJV): “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

    • Jesus validated the historicity of Noah’s flood.

  3. John 5:46-47 (NKJV): “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

    • Jesus underscored the importance of believing Moses’ writings, including Genesis.

Theological Implications of Creation

  1. Imago Dei (Image of God): Humanity's creation in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) establishes intrinsic value, moral responsibility, and relational capacity. This doctrine forms the foundation of biblical anthropology and ethics.

  2. Sabbath Rest: The institution of the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3) highlights the rhythm of work and rest, reflecting God’s design for human flourishing and worship.

  3. Marriage and Family: The creation of Eve from Adam (Genesis 2:21-24) establishes the sanctity of marriage as a divine covenant and the basis for family structure.

Philosophical Foundations

The Necessity of a Creator

Philosophers such as Arthur Schopenhauer grappled with the existential question: "Why is there something instead of nothing?" Genesis answers this by revealing God as the eternal Creator, grounding existence in divine purpose rather than randomness.

Scientific Principles Affirmed by Scripture

The fine-tuning of the universe—from gravitational constants to molecular structures—demonstrates intelligent design. This aligns with Genesis 1:31: “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”

Application for Believers

  1. Faith in God’s Sovereignty: Trust in the Creator’s power and plan offers hope and stability amidst uncertainty.

  2. Stewardship of Creation: Humanity’s role as stewards (Genesis 1:28) calls for responsible care of the environment and resources.

  3. Evangelistic Witness: A biblical understanding of creation equips believers to engage skeptics with grace and truth, pointing to the Creator as the ultimate source of life and purpose.

The Bible’s Clear Teaching of God’s Creation and the Uncertainty of Modern Science

A. The Contrast Between Certainty in Scripture and the Tentativeness of Science

  1. Some scientists often project certainty about the origins of the universe, yet their continual revolutionary discoveries reveal that they are, in many ways, “feeling their way along in the dark.”

    • Honest scientists, those who resist pride and arrogance, acknowledge how little they truly know. They hold their discoveries with humility and openness to further exploration.

  2. While some scientists appear overly confident about what can be known, we are not compelled to accept such claims of certainty. Science, by its nature, is constantly evolving, often rethinking its foundational theories.

B. An Example from the Los Angeles Times Sidebar: “The Big Bang and What Followed It”

This article illustrates how cosmologists describe the origin of the universe:

  • In the beginning: Energy condensed into radiation and particles, forming quarks and electrons.

  • Time passes: After 300,000 years, the universe cooled enough for electrons and protons to form neutral hydrogen, creating the first atoms.

  • Galaxies form: Atoms merge into dust clouds, evolving into stars, galaxies, and clusters. Stars collapsed and exploded, producing new elements and stars.

  • Life develops: Stable planets emerged around second-generation stars, enabling carbon-based life to form and evolve.

Such descriptions reveal an imaginative narrative built on limited observational data, exposing the speculative nature of modern cosmology.

C. The Expansion of the Universe and the “Big Bang” Theory

  1. In 1913, an astronomer in Arizona observed stars moving away from Earth at tremendous speeds, up to two million miles an hour.

  2. By 1919, Edwin Hubble used these findings to propose the theory of an expanding universe, laying the foundation for the “Big Bang” concept.

  3. Scientists later identified background radiation, interpreted as “noise” from this initial cosmic explosion. Yet, these observations bring scientists no closer to understanding the universe’s ultimate origin.

D. Dark Matter: An Ongoing Mystery

  1. Dark matter is a term used to explain an enormous apparent excess of gravity in the universe. Scientists estimate it constitutes 99.9% of all matter, yet they cannot definitively identify it.

    • David O. Caldwell, University of California at Santa Barbara: “When it comes to dark matter, the only thing that we are convinced of at the moment is that it’s there.”

    • Michael S. Turner, University of Chicago: “The origin, composition, energy, and mass of the most common matter in the entire universe is unknown.”

  2. This uncertainty reflects the limits of human understanding and the speculative nature of cosmological science.

E. Los Angeles Times Article: “Rethinking Cosmic Questions” (March 6, 1995)

  1. The article highlighted the speculative nature of cosmology:

    • Cosmologists attempt to explain a universe that exploded into existence 15 billion years ago, despite limited observational data.

  2. Quotes from leading scientists reveal their doubts:

    • Chris Stubbs, University of Washington: “You’ve got these things that are ridiculously far away and ridiculously faint, and… you’ve got to make sense out of it.”

    • Rocky Kold, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: “At times, I miss the old days when I could just work in my office and not worry that someone would disprove my theory in a few weeks.”

    • David Wilkinson, Princeton Cosmologist: “Many of us who have worked in this field for decades still worry that the whole house of cards is going to collapse.”

  3. The article noted significant mysteries:

    • Observations suggest the universe may be younger than its oldest stars.

    • Dark matter, which constitutes the majority of the universe, remains a profound enigma.

F. The Uncertainty of Human Origins

  1. Christopher Stringer, of the Natural History Museum in London, observed: “The study of human origins seems to be a field in which each discovery raises the debate to a more sophisticated level of uncertainty.”

  2. This ongoing uncertainty highlights the contrast between modern science’s tentative conclusions and the clarity of Scripture’s teaching on creation.

Application for Believers

  1. Confidence in Scripture: The Bible provides a clear, reliable account of creation, in contrast to the speculative and ever-changing narratives of modern science.

  2. Engaging with Humility: Believers can engage with scientific discussions respectfully, acknowledging the limits of human understanding while pointing to the consistent truth of God’s Word.

  3. Faith in God’s Design: Recognizing the intricacy and order of creation affirms God’s sovereign power and wisdom, inspiring worship and trust in His plan.

Reflections on Creation and Modern Scientific Uncertainty

A. The Narrative of Cosmology and Its Limitations

  1. Modern cosmology often constructs elaborate narratives to explain the origins of the universe, yet the speculative nature of these theories reveals significant limitations.

  2. Many of these narratives rely on observational data that is distant, faint, or incomplete, which compounds the uncertainty.

B. Biblical Consistency vs. Scientific Revision

  1. Biblical Consistency:

    • The Bible’s teaching on creation has remained unchanged for millennia, offering a consistent worldview rooted in divine revelation.

  2. Scientific Revision:

    • Scientific models and theories frequently evolve as new discoveries challenge established paradigms. This contrasts with the immutability of Scripture.

C. Philosophical Implications of the Big Bang

  1. The Big Bang theory posits a “beginning” to the universe, which aligns with the biblical assertion of creation ex nihilo (“creation out of nothing”).

    • However, secular interpretations often exclude a divine Creator, attributing the universe’s origin to random chance or undefined natural laws.

  2. The inability to explain the cause of the Big Bang highlights a critical gap in secular cosmology.

D. The Role of Faith in Science and Scripture

  1. Both science and faith require an element of trust:

    • Scientists trust the validity of their observations and the consistency of natural laws.

    • Believers trust the authority of God’s Word and the testimony of Scripture.

  2. Recognizing the limits of human understanding fosters humility in both domains.

E. Dark Energy and Dark Matter

  1. While dark matter remains a profound mystery, the concept illustrates the vastness of the unknown in science. Estimates suggest that dark energy constitutes 68% of the universe and dark matter 27%, leaving only 5% as observable matter.

  2. This reinforces the biblical notion of God’s incomprehensible greatness:

    • Psalm 145:3 (NKJV): “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.”

F. The Value of a Biblical Worldview in Scientific Inquiry

  1. A biblical worldview provides:

    • A Foundation for Order: Belief in a Creator establishes the universe as an orderly, intelligible system.

    • A Framework for Exploration: Trusting God’s design encourages scientific investigation as a means of glorifying Him.

  2. Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV): “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”

G. The Importance of Intellectual Humility

  1. Statements from leading scientists highlight the tentative nature of modern scientific theories:

    • Chris Stubbs: “Making sense of the faint and distant is a formidable challenge.”

    • Rocky Kold: “The pace of discoveries can overturn theories quickly.”

  2. These insights align with Scripture’s emphasis on the limits of human wisdom:

    • 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NKJV): “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

H. Engaging the Skeptic with Scripture

  1. Acknowledge their valid questions while demonstrating the coherence of the biblical worldview.

  2. Highlight how the Bible’s consistent message provides answers to life’s ultimate questions, while science continues to grapple with foundational uncertainties.

Applications for Daily Living

  1. Seek Wisdom: Study both Scripture and creation with a heart of humility, seeking to glorify God through understanding.

  2. Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Recognize that human limitations are part of God’s design, pointing us to rely on Him.

  3. Engage Thoughtfully: Use the consistency and depth of Scripture to engage skeptics, demonstrating how biblical truths remain steadfast amidst shifting scientific theories.

  4. Worship the Creator: Let the majesty of creation inspire worship for the One who sustains all things by His power:

    • Colossians 1:17 (NKJV): “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

The Historical Reality of Genesis and Modern Skepticism

4. Confidence in the Book of Genesis Amid Modern Skepticism

  1. Many doubt the ability of modern scientists to provide definitive answers regarding the origins of the universe. However, this skepticism does not automatically instill confidence in the biblical account of Genesis. Critics often dismiss Genesis as a creation myth designed solely to showcase the greatness of God in poetic grandeur. Yet, while the account has poetic elements, we affirm that it was written to convey historical reality. This is evident from its treatment in other Scriptures.

A. The Testimony of Psalm 136

Psalm 136 seamlessly connects the Genesis account of creation with the broader narrative of Israel’s history. This interweaving of creation with other historical events demonstrates that the creation account is not relegated to the realm of historical fiction but is regarded as factual and foundational.

B. Jesus’ Affirmation of Genesis

  1. Jesus treated Genesis as a historical record in His teachings:

    • Matthew 19:4-6 (NKJV): “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”

      • Jesus directly referenced Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, affirming their historical and theological accuracy.

    • Matthew 23:35 (NKJV): “That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”

      • Jesus treated the account of Abel’s death in Genesis 4 as a historical event.

C. C.S. Lewis’ Critique of the “Myth” Argument

  1. As a literary scholar and expert in myths, C.S. Lewis challenged the claim that Genesis is a myth:

    • When hearing a biblical scholar claim Genesis was a myth, Lewis questioned the scholar’s familiarity with myths.

    • Lewis’ professional expertise led him to recognize that the Genesis creation account stands apart from mythical narratives in its structure, tone, and intent.

D. The Purpose of Genesis and the Limits of Scientific Detail

  1. Genesis was not written primarily as a scientific document. Its purpose is to reveal God’s power, order, and sovereignty in creation rather than provide a detailed scientific explanation.

  2. If God had provided a fully scientific account:

    • It would be incomprehensible to all but the most advanced scientific minds and inaccessible to most of humanity.

    • Even in the language of the 20th century, it would have been meaningless to past generations and likely obsolete for future ones.

  3. Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV): “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”

    • Scientific inquiry and exploration are part of humanity’s divine calling. However, they must be pursued with humility, acknowledging that God conceals mysteries for humanity to uncover.

E. Humility in Scientific Inquiry

  1. Scientific discovery reflects the glory of humanity’s pursuit of knowledge, but it must be undertaken with the recognition of our limitations.

  2. God’s decision to present the creation narrative in a form accessible to all generations reflects His wisdom, ensuring that its theological truths remain central while leaving room for scientific exploration to uncover the intricate details of His work.

Before the Beginning: God’s Eternal Purpose

5. God Did All This in the Beginning, Yet There Was Much Before the Beginning

A. In the Beginning, God

  1. God Himself existed before the beginning:

    • Psalm 93:2 (NKJV): “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.”

    • Many wrestle with the questions, “Where did God come from?” and “Who created God?” These questions are answered in the very nature of God: He is the uncreated, eternal Being, without beginning or end.

  2. Scripture demonstrates God’s eternal nature:

    • Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV): “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

  3. J. Edwin Orr’s definition of God captures this truth:

    • “God is the only infinite, eternal, and unchangeable spirit, the perfect being in whom all things begin, and continue, and end.”

B. God Was in Three Persons Before the Beginning

  1. The triune God existed in perfect love and fellowship before creation:

    • John 17:5 (NKJV): “O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

    • John 17:24 (NKJV): “For You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

C. God’s Eternal Purpose Before the Beginning

  1. Before the beginning, God had an eternal purpose:

    • Ephesians 3:11 (NKJV): “According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    • This purpose was to “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10), presenting Jesus as the solution to the ultimate “problem” written on the universe’s “blackboard.”

D. God’s Specific Plan to Fulfill His Eternal Purpose

  1. The Mission of Jesus: Foreordained before creation:

    • 1 Peter 1:20 (NKJV): “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

  2. The Promise of Eternal Life:

    • Titus 1:2 (NKJV): “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”

  3. The Mystery of the Gospel:

    • 1 Corinthians 2:7 (NKJV): “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.”

  4. The Grace Given to Us:

    • 2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV): “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

  5. The Election of Believers in Christ:

    • Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV): “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

E. The Creation of Angels

  1. Before the beginning, God created the angels, who witnessed the creation of the heavens and the earth:

    • Job 38:7 (NKJV): “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”

The State of the Earth Before God Organized Creation

6. (2) The Earth Was Without Form and Void

Genesis 1:2 (NKJV): “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

A. Examination of Key Terms

  1. “The earth was without form, and void”:

    • Hebrew: היה (hayah) can mean “was” or “had become” (pluperfect form). The reordering of the Hebrew sentence suggests the pluperfect sense: “had become.” This mirrors Genesis 19:26, where Lot’s wife “became” a pillar of salt.

    • Tohu: “Without form,” confused, formless.

    • Bohu: “Void,” empty, waste (Isaiah 34:11; 45:18; Jeremiah 4:23-26).

    • Vav: The Hebrew conjunction “and.” In the Septuagint (LXX), it is translated as the adversative de (“but”), as in Genesis 2:17 and Zephaniah 1:13.

  2. Darkness was on the face of the deep:

    • Choshek: Unnatural darkness (Exodus 10:21).

    • Tehom: Deep waters; in the LXX, it is translated as “abyss” (abussos), often associated with demons and evil spirits.

B. Key Questions and Theories

  1. When Were the Angels Created?

    • Angels existed before the foundations of the earth. They witnessed creation:

      • Job 38:4-7 (NKJV): “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding... When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

      • “Sons of God” (“Bar HaElohim”) refers to angels in the Old Testament.

  2. When Did Satan Fall?

    • Satan, described as a “super angel” or “cherub,” fell due to pride and rebellion. Relevant passages include:

      • Ezekiel 28:12-19: Satan was perfect in beauty and wisdom but became corrupted.

      • Isaiah 14:12-17: Satan’s five “I will” statements culminated in his rebellion.

  3. The “Gap Theory” Hypothesis:

    • Proposed by Thomas Chalmers in 1814, this theory suggests a chronological gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, during which Satan’s fall and prehistoric events (such as the fossil record) occurred.

    • Arguments for the Gap Theory:

      • Isaiah 45:18 emphasizes that God did not create the earth in vain (“tohu”), implying it became formless.

      • Supporters use the theory to explain the fossil record and the extinction of ancient animals.

    • Limitations of the Gap Theory:

      • Romans 5:12 states death entered the world through Adam. Fossils, as evidence of death, must therefore postdate Adam.

C. The Role of Darkness

  1. Darkness on the Face of the Deep:

    • Some suggest this reflects resistance to God’s creative work, possibly tied to Satan’s rebellion (Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:16).

    • Darkness may symbolize chaos or opposition to God’s order, but it was ultimately overcome by the Spirit of God.

D. Satan: Origin, Agenda, and Destiny

  1. Ezekiel 28:12-19:

    • Satan is described as the “anointed cherub” who was perfect until iniquity was found in him.

    • His fall was marked by pride and corruption, leading to his expulsion from God’s presence.

  2. Isaiah 14:12-17:

    • Satan sought to ascend above God’s throne but was cast down to hell. His rebellion began in his heart, highlighting why God hates pride.

E. The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters

  1. The Spirit’s Role in Creation:

    • Despite the earth’s chaotic state, the Spirit of God moved purposefully over the waters, preparing for the order and beauty to come.

    • This demonstrates God’s sovereignty and ability to bring order out of chaos.

      The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters and the First Day of Creation

      The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Face of the Waters

      Genesis 1:2 (NKJV): “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

      1. The Beginning of Transformation:

        • When God began to transform the earth into something beautiful and aligned with His plan, He started with the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins every work of creation and re-creation.

        • Hebrew Term:

          • מרחפת (Merahefet): “To hover, flutter, brood, vibrate,” as a bird caring for its young (Deuteronomy 32:11). Here, the Spirit of God “brooded” over the waters, preparing for creation.

      2. Commentary:

        • Spurgeon: “The first divine act in fitting up this planet for the habitation of man was for the Spirit of God to move upon the face of the waters. Till that time, all was formless, empty, out of order, and in confusion. In a word, it was chaos; and to make it into that thing of beauty... the movement of the Spirit of God was necessary.”

        • Leupold: “The verb signifies a vibrant moving, a protective hovering... His was the preparatory work for leading over from the inorganic to the organic.”

        • Kidner: The verb is used again in Deuteronomy 32:11 to describe an eagle stirring its young to flight, emphasizing God’s active, nurturing presence.

      The Creation of Light

      Genesis 1:3-5 (NKJV): “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

      A. “Let There Be Light”

      1. The First Step from Chaos to Order:

        • God’s first creative act was to bring light, moving from chaos to order. This reflects God’s work in human lives, bringing light through the gospel.

          • 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NKJV): “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

      2. The Power of God’s Word:

        • God did not need tools or materials to create light. He simply spoke: “Light be!” and light existed.

          • Spurgeon: “This light came instantaneously. The Hebrew is sublimely brief: ‘Light be: light was.’”

      B. Misinterpretations Addressed

      1. Some claim humans can operate like God, speaking things into existence by faith. This misunderstanding stems from:

        • Hebrews 11:3: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” This refers to our faith in understanding creation, not God using faith to create.

        • Mark 11:22: Jesus says, “Have faith in God,” not “have God’s faith.” God, being omniscient and omnipotent, has no need for faith.

      C. The Nature of Light

      1. Light Before the Sun and Moon:

        • Genesis reveals that light, day, and night existed before the creation of the sun and moon on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19).

        • This indicates that light has a supernatural dimension. In the new heavens and earth, God Himself will be the light:

          • Revelation 22:5 (NKJV): “They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.”

      2. Supernatural Aspects of Darkness:

        • Darkness, such as the plague of darkness on Egypt (Exodus 10:21), could be felt, showing a supernatural quality beyond mere absence of light.

      D. The First Day: Evening and Morning

      1. Literal Day vs. Geological Age:

        • Debate exists whether this was a literal 24-hour day or a long geological age. However, the plain reading suggests a literal day.

          • Kidner: “If the days were not days at all, would God have countenanced the word? Does He trade in inaccuracies, however edifying?”

          • Leupold: “Reputable Hebrew dictionaries know nothing of the notion that yom means period.”

          • Spurgeon: “This is, no doubt, a literal and accurate account of God’s first day’s work in the creation of the world.”

      2. The Purpose of the Sequence:

        • God’s creation of light before the sun emphasizes His sovereignty. He is not dependent on the sun for light; rather, the sun serves as one of many tools in His creation.

      Summary

      • The Spirit of God’s hovering represents God’s active role in preparing creation.

      • God’s creation of light demonstrates His power, bringing order to chaos and revealing the supernatural nature of light.

      • The first day’s events affirm the literal interpretation of a day in creation while showcasing God’s sovereignty and glory.

The Second Day of Creation: God Makes an Atmospheric Division

Genesis 1:6-8 (NKJV): “Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’ Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.”

A. Let There Be a Firmament

  1. Definition of Firmament:

    • The term “firmament” can be translated as “expanse” (NIV, NAS) or “space” (NLT). It describes the creation of a division between the waters on the earth and those in the atmosphere.

  2. Purpose of the Firmament:

    • This separation established an organized structure for the earth, dividing terrestrial waters from atmospheric waters, setting the stage for future acts of creation.

B. The Waters Above the Firmament

  1. Water Vapor in the Sky:

    • Some commentators and scientists interpret the “waters above the firmament” as a reference to a significant vapor canopy that may have existed in the early earth’s atmosphere. This hypothesis suggests a unique pre-Flood ecology.

  2. Effects of a Vapor Canopy (as suggested by Henry Morris):

    • Vapor Blanket:

      • A vast canopy of water vapor likely extended above the troposphere and possibly into the stratosphere and ionosphere.

    • Global Greenhouse Effect:

      • This vapor blanket would create a uniform, pleasant temperature worldwide, fostering an ideal climate for life.

    • Absence of Significant Winds:

      • Without extreme temperature variations, there would be no significant winds or weather patterns as we know them today.

    • Tropical-Like Vegetation:

      • Lush vegetation would thrive across the globe, sustained by a continuous evaporation and condensation cycle, resulting in heavy dew or ground fog rather than traditional rainfall.

    • Protection from Radiation:

      • The canopy would filter out harmful ultraviolet radiation, cosmic rays, and other destructive energies, reducing mutations and increasing longevity for humans and animals.

    • Longevity of Life:

      • With reduced exposure to harmful radiation, human and animal lifespans would be significantly extended, consistent with biblical records of long pre-Flood lifespans.

    • Potential Reservoir for the Flood:

      • The vapor canopy could serve as a massive water source for the worldwide flood described in Genesis.

C. God Called the Firmament Heaven

  1. Naming the Firmament:

    • God designated the firmament “Heaven,” referring to the sky or atmosphere.

  2. Evening and Morning:

    • The sequence of evening and morning marks the completion of the second day of creation. This reinforces the orderly progression of God’s work in creation.

Summary

  • The second day established the division between waters on earth and in the atmosphere, creating an environment conducive to life.

  • The potential existence of a vapor canopy illustrates the profound ecological and environmental differences of the pre-Flood world.

  • God’s designation of the firmament as “Heaven” reflects His purposeful design and sovereignty in creation.

The Third Day of Creation: Land and Vegetation

Genesis 1:9-13 (NKJV): “Then God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear’; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth’; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day.”

A. The Separation of Land and Sea

  1. Let the Waters Be Gathered Together:

    • Prior to this act, the earth was covered entirely by water. God’s command caused the waters to gather into one place, allowing dry land to appear.

  2. God Called the Dry Land Earth:

    • The act of naming reflects God’s authority and sovereignty over creation.

B. The Creation of Vegetation

  1. Let the Earth Bring Forth Grass:

    • Vegetation, including grasses, herbs, and fruit trees, was created by God to grow on the newly formed land.

    • This occurred before the creation of the sun, moon, and stars (on the fourth day, Genesis 1:14-19). Light created earlier (Genesis 1:3) provided sufficient nourishment for the plants.

  2. Challenges to Non-Literal Interpretations:

    • Those who interpret the days of creation as long geological ages face a challenge explaining how vegetation could survive for eons without the sun. The Genesis account indicates that God’s creative acts were supernatural, not reliant on natural processes.

    • Revelation 21:23 points to a future state where light does not depend on the sun, demonstrating God’s ability to sustain life without traditional light sources.

C. Direct Creation of Life

  1. And It Was So:

    • Life on earth began through God’s direct command, not through evolutionary processes over millions of years.

    • The sudden appearance of life aligns better with fossil evidence, which often shows abrupt changes rather than gradual transitions.

  2. The Appearance of Age:

    • Vegetation was created in mature form, capable of reproducing through seeds. This reflects a creation with the appearance of age—trees bearing fruit and plants already grown.

D. According to Its Kind

  1. God’s Order in Creation:

    • The phrase “according to its kind” appears ten times in Genesis 1. This establishes that God allowed for variation within kinds but no development from one kind to another.

E. God Saw That It Was Good

  1. God’s Standard of Goodness:

    • God’s declaration of goodness emphasizes His perfect design and purpose for creation.

    • The earth was declared good only after it became habitable, prepared for future creation.

F. Misinterpretation of Vegetation and Drug Use

  1. Some Misuse This Passage:

    • Certain individuals justify drug use (e.g., marijuana) by referencing God’s creation of grass and herbs.

    • However, not all plants are beneficial for all purposes. For example, hemlock is natural but poisonous.

  2. Biblical Condemnation of Sorcery and Drug Use:

    • The Bible associates drug use with sorcery and the occult, practices condemned in Scripture.

      • Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:10, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Revelation 21:8, 22:15: Sorcery, often linked to drug use, is consistently prohibited.

Summary

  • On the third day, God gathered the waters to create seas and revealed dry land, which He named Earth.

  • Vegetation was created fully mature, capable of reproduction, demonstrating God’s power and intentional design.

  • The phrase “according to its kind” underscores the order and boundaries within God’s creation.

  • Misinterpretations of this passage to justify drug use are countered by Scripture’s clear condemnation of practices associated with sorcery and misuse of natural substances.

The Fourth Day of Creation: The Sun, Moon, and Stars

Genesis 1:14-19 (NKJV): “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”

A. The Purpose of the Heavenly Lights

  1. Let Them Be for Signs and Seasons:

    • God created the sun, moon, and stars to serve humanity by marking time and providing navigation. These heavenly bodies established cycles for days, seasons, and years.

    • Since ancient times, humans have used the positions of celestial bodies for calendars and directional guidance.

  2. God’s Sovereign Placement:

    • “God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth.”

    • The precise distance of the sun from the earth ensures a perfect balance for sustaining life. A slight deviation would render life impossible, showcasing divine precision.

  3. Testimonies to Divine Order:

    • The balance and complexity of the universe argue strongly for the existence of a Creator. The intricate harmony of celestial movements reflects intelligent design rather than random chance.

B. Signs and Constellations

  1. For Signs and Seasons:

    • Ancient Hebrews referred to the constellations as the Mazzaroth (Job 38:31-32). This likely included the arrangement of stars in recognizable patterns, understood across all cultures and languages.

    • Despite the varying names of constellations, their sequence is universally consistent, hinting at a pre-Babel understanding of these celestial signs.

  2. The Message of the Stars:

    • Psalm 19:1-6 declares that the heavens communicate God’s glory.

    • Some interpret passages like Luke 1:70 and Acts 3:21 as alluding to stars as potential “prophets” since the world began. Additionally, Psalm 147:4 and Isaiah 40:26 emphasize God’s intimate knowledge of the stars, naming and numbering them.

    • Astrology represents a satanic corruption of this divine revelation. Scripture repeatedly condemns astrology (Isaiah 47:12-15) as a deviation from God’s intent.

C. The Creation of the Stars

  1. He Made the Stars Also:

    • God’s creation of countless stars prompts questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. However, the conditions required to support life are so intricate and specific that the probability of another habitable planet is astronomically small.

    • Studies show that life requires at least 33 precise factors to align—a probability of 1 in 10 to the 42nd power, far exceeding the total number of planets in the universe (estimated at 10 to the 22nd power).

  2. Human Search for Extraterrestrial Life:

    • The U.S. government once allocated substantial funds to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. However, the vast improbability of life on other planets suggests the focus might be better directed elsewhere.

D. God Saw That It Was Good

  1. The Standard of God’s Goodness:

    • The creation of heavenly lights was declared good, reflecting their perfection and functionality within God’s creation.

    • This divine order establishes a stark contrast to the chaos of a universe without intentional design.

Summary

  • On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, and stars to provide light, mark time, and serve as signs of His order.

  • The precise balance in the universe showcases divine craftsmanship, ensuring the sustenance of life.

  • The constellations point to a universal message of God’s glory, though astrology distorts this truth.

  • The improbability of extraterrestrial life emphasizes Earth’s unique design as a habitat for humanity, reinforcing God’s intentionality in creation.

The Fifth Day of Creation: Birds and Sea Creatures

Genesis 1:20-23 (NKJV): “Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.’ So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.”

A. The Creation of Birds and Sea Creatures

  1. Let the Waters Abound with an Abundance of Living Creatures:

    • God’s command brought forth a vast variety of marine life and birds, all created simultaneously. The Genesis account directly opposes the idea of a slow evolutionary process.

    • While plant life was created before animal life, there is no indication that animal life evolved from plant life. Instead, each category of life was distinctly created.

  2. According to Their Kind:

    • God created each creature within its own kind, allowing for variation within kinds but not evolution from one kind to another.

    • For example, the diversity within the dog family (from teacup poodles to Great Danes) remains within the canine kind. Similarly, microevolution—adaptation within a kind—does not support macroevolution, which claims one kind can evolve into another.

B. Evidence Against Evolution in the Fossil Record

  1. Fossil Experts vs. Darwin:

    • Darwin’s strongest opponents were fossil experts, not clergymen. Darwin acknowledged that the lack of transitional forms in the fossil record was the most serious objection to his theory.

  2. Principles of the Fossil Record:

    • Stasis: Most species remain unchanged throughout their documented history.

    • Sudden Appearance: Species appear abruptly in the fossil record, fully formed, without evidence of gradual evolution.

  3. Scientific Observations:

    • The Bighorn Basin in Wyoming, with five million years of continuous fossil deposits, has not revealed a single convincing transition from one species to another.

    • Evolutionist Nile Eldredge admitted that paleontologists have often claimed gradual evolution occurred despite evidence to the contrary.

  4. Quick Leaps or Miracles by Chance:

    • Evolutionary theory struggles to explain the absence of gradual transitions. Some propose rapid changes, likened to a mouse emerging from a snake’s egg—an idea that attributes miraculous power to chance rather than acknowledging a Creator.

C. God’s Blessing on His Creation

  1. Be Fruitful and Multiply:

    • God’s blessing commanded the creatures to reproduce and fill their respective habitats. This reflects God’s design for growth, abundance, and sustainability within creation.

  2. God Saw That It Was Good:

    • The declaration of goodness emphasizes the perfection and purpose of God’s creation.

Summary

  • On the fifth day, God created a diverse array of birds and marine life, all fully formed and perfectly suited to their environments.

  • The phrase “according to their kind” underscores the boundaries of variation within creation, refuting the idea of one kind evolving into another.

  • The fossil record supports the sudden appearance and stasis of species, aligning with the Genesis account.

  • God’s blessing on His creation ensured reproduction and abundance, reflecting His intentional design and purpose.

The Sixth Day of Creation: The Creation of Man

1. (Genesis 1:24-25) God Makes Land Animals

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind’; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

A. The Creation of Land Animals

  1. Let the Earth Bring Forth the Living Creature:

    • On the fifth day, God focused on birds and sea animals. Now, He turns to the land animals, creating a diverse array of creatures to inhabit the earth.

    • This act showcases God’s continuous creative power and His intention to fill the earth with life.

  2. God Made the Beast of the Earth According to Its Kind:

    • The creation of land animals includes three broad categories:

      • Cattle: Domesticated animals essential for human life.

      • Creeping Things: Small creatures, such as insects and reptiles.

      • Beasts of the Earth: Larger wild animals.

    • God’s creativity is evident in the wide variety of animals He made, from the majestic lion to the humble ant.

B. Reflections on God’s Creative Power

  1. A God of Joy and Humor:

    • The animal kingdom reflects God’s sense of joy and humor. The giraffe, the platypus, and the peacock all display God’s creativity and delight in variety.

    • For example, peacocks are admired by peahens for their large, colorful tails—a feature that makes them more vulnerable to predators. This seemingly paradoxical feature challenges the idea of “survival of the fittest” and highlights God’s intricate design.

  2. According to Its Kind:

    • Once again, the phrase “according to its kind” emphasizes the boundaries within creation. While there is significant variation within kinds (e.g., the diversity within the dog family), one kind does not evolve into another.

    • This distinction reinforces the biblical rejection of macroevolution and affirms God’s intentional design.

Summary

  • On the sixth day, God created the land animals, completing the animal kingdom with creatures that dwell on the earth.

  • The vast variety of land animals reflects God’s creativity, power, and joy.

  • The phrase “according to its kind” underscores the boundaries within creation, affirming variation within kinds but denying evolutionary transitions between kinds.

  • God’s declaration that His creation was “good” confirms its perfection and purpose within His divine plan.

The Sixth Day of Creation: The Creation of Man

2. (Genesis 1:26) God Plans to Make Man in His Image

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

A. The Triune God and the Creation of Man

  1. Let Us Make Man in Our Image:

    • The plural language (“Let Us…in Our image, according to Our likeness”) reflects the plurality within God, aligning with the biblical doctrine of the Trinity: one God in three Persons.

    • Leupold convincingly argues against the idea that this plurality refers to the royal “we” or God addressing angels, affirming instead the Trinitarian nature of God.

B. What It Means to Be Made in the Image of God

  1. In Our Image:

    • Man’s distinction lies in being made in the image of God, setting him apart from animals, plants, and even angels.

    • Humans have unique moral, intellectual, and spiritual capacities that are not shared with animals or angels.

  2. Human Life’s Intrinsic Value:

    • Being made in the image of God gives all human life intrinsic worth, independent of “quality of life” considerations.

    • This value underpins the possibility of the incarnation: God becoming man in the Person of Jesus Christ.

  3. Characteristics of the Divine Image in Humanity:

    • Humans possess personality: knowledge, feelings, and will.

    • Humans are moral beings capable of making ethical judgments and possessing a conscience.

    • Humans are spiritual beings created for communion with God, uniquely able to communicate with Him on a spiritual level.

C. Specific Reflections of God’s Image in Man

  1. Physical Design for Divine Purposes:

    • Though God is spirit (John 4:24) and does not have a physical body, the human body was designed to perform actions reflecting God’s nature: seeing, hearing, speaking, and creating.

    • “The body of man must at least be regarded as the fittest receptacle for man’s spirit,” says Leupold, noting that God and angels often appear in human form.

  2. Unique Human Traits:

    • An upward-facing countenance.

    • A variety of facial expressions.

    • A capacity for language and communication.

    • A sense of shame, uniquely expressed in blushing.

D. Image and Likeness

  1. The Terms Image and Likeness:

    • Though slightly distinct, both terms overlap in meaning here, emphasizing humanity’s reflection of God’s nature.

    • “Image” refers more to appearance, while “likeness” conveys abstract similarity.

E. Humanity’s Dominion

  1. Let Them Have Dominion:

    • From the outset, God decreed humanity’s dominion over creation, making man the steward of the earth.

    • This dominion carries responsibility. Abusing the environment or failing to care for creation violates this divine stewardship.

Summary

  • Humanity’s creation in the image of God establishes mankind’s unique value and purpose within creation.

  • The plurality in God’s language (“Let Us…”) reflects the Trinity, affirming the relational nature of God.

  • Being made in God’s image grants humanity moral, intellectual, and spiritual capacities distinct from all other forms of life.

  • God’s design for dominion over creation is both a privilege and a responsibility, emphasizing humanity’s role as steward of the earth.

God’s Creation of Man and Initial Commission to Adam

(Genesis 1:27-31)

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food’; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

Key Expositions

a. So God created man in His own image:

God created mankind fully formed, as described in His plan (Genesis 1:26). This foundational idea is repeated to underscore the special nature of humanity.

  1. Creation of Man Fully Formed:

    • The Bible explicitly states that man was created in one day, not through millions of years of evolution.

    • Evolutionary theories face challenges in explaining complex mechanisms like the eye. Mathematician D.S. Ulam noted the improbability of such developments, while Darwin admitted his theory would collapse if even one complex organ couldn’t be explained through gradual modifications.

  2. Evolutionary Skepticism:

    • Richard Goldschmidt argued that gradual mutations couldn’t account for organs like the liver or kidney, comparing such a notion to designing a better watch by smashing an old one.

b. Male and female He created them:

God created both sexes, emphasizing their distinctions and complementary roles.

  1. Differences Between Men and Women:

    • These differences are intentional and good, reflecting God’s design. Attempts to erase them create confusion and are contrary to God’s will.

  2. Gender and Identity:

    • Men excel at being men, and women excel at being women. When either tries to assume the other's role, the result is inferior to God’s design.

c. Then God blessed them:

God’s first act toward humanity was to bless them, highlighting His benevolence.

d. Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion:

God gave humanity stewardship over the earth, commanding them to populate it and exercise dominion responsibly.

  1. Purpose of Human Sexuality:

    • While reproduction is a key aspect of sex, its primary role is fostering the bond of a one-flesh relationship.

    • Human sexual characteristics—like constant availability and private intimacy—underscore its unique design for bonding.

e. To you it shall be for food:

Initially, humanity was vegetarian. The permission to eat meat came later, after the flood (Genesis 9:3).

f. God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good:

At creation, the world was perfect, free of death or decay. God’s declaration of goodness reflects His satisfaction with His work.

Challenges to the Theory of Human Evolution

4. Fossil Discoveries of So-Called Human Ancestors

The search for humanity's origins has been fraught with questionable science and speculative reasoning, as exemplified by the fossil discoveries of Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus.

a. The Reverence of Fossils:

  • Quoting Johnson: “The psychological atmosphere that surrounds the viewing of hominid fossils is uncannily reminiscent of the veneration of relics at a medieval shrine.”

  • An illustrative example occurred in 1984 when the American Museum of Natural History held an exhibition titled Ancestors. Fossils were transported with great ceremony, guarded as sacred relics, and displayed behind bulletproof glass. Anthropologists attending the event treated it with the hushed reverence of a religious gathering.

b. Sociological Observations of “Ancestor Worship”:

  • A sociologist observing the ritual remarked, “Sounds like ancestor worship to me,” highlighting the almost religious devotion to these fossils.

c. Solly Zuckerman’s Critique:

  • A committed evolutionist and prominent British scientist, Zuckerman conducted biometric tests on key fossils and dismissed claims that they walked upright.

  • He described the speculation in the field as so reckless that it was questionable if science played a role at all.

d. The Secular Creation Story:

  • Johnson remarked that the narrative of human evolution serves as the secular equivalent of the Genesis account of Adam and Eve.

  • This “creation story” is propagated through illustrations, museum exhibits, reenactments, and an authoritative “priesthood” of scientists who protect and interpret it. Critics are often silenced by rules that shield the theory from scrutiny.

e. Lack of Interest in Testing Evolution:

  • Evolutionists rarely test whether their theory is true. They assume it as the only explanation once the possibility of a Creator is dismissed. Their focus remains on refining how evolution supposedly works, not questioning its validity.

5. The Universal Acceptance of Evolution Today

The widespread belief in evolution is not necessarily due to its scientific robustness but rather a combination of historical events, cultural influences, and anti-supernatural biases.

a. The Scopes Trial:

  • In the 1920s, a substitute teacher volunteered to challenge a Tennessee law prohibiting the teaching of evolution. The trial, known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, became a pivotal cultural event.

  • William Jennings Bryan, a Bible-believing but non-literalist former Secretary of State, led the prosecution. Clarence Darrow, a renowned agnostic lawyer, defended the case, turning the trial into a public debate about biblical interpretation.

b. Media Manipulation:

  • Journalist H.L. Mencken, along with Broadway and Hollywood, painted the trial as a triumph for Darwinism and a humiliation for biblical creationists. This portrayal made creationists appear foolish and gave evolution a veneer of respectability.

c. Anti-Supernatural Bias:

  • The cultural shift toward naturalism and skepticism of the supernatural further entrenched evolution in the public mindset.

d. Suppression of Debate:

  • Today, critics of evolution are often silenced by dismissive arguments. Disagreements among evolutionists are framed as mere technicalities, while the "fact" of evolution is presented as beyond doubt.

  • Johnson observed: “Outsiders are told that questions about evolution are out of order and that debates among experts signify creative ferment rather than any crisis of confidence.”

Multiple Authors https://taylorbiblestudy.com
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Genesis Chapter 2