Opening Statements on Genesis 1-11

OPENING STATEMENTS ON THE STUDY OF GENESIS 1-11

How is Genesis 1-11 related to modern western science?
1. totally antagonistic
2. total agreement
3. points of similarity
  Science is a research method based on the ability to check predicted outcomes. It is a modern phenomenon but is always changing in light of new knowledge. God as creator (Elohim) and God as savior (YHWH) are held together by the "two books"; nature (natural revelation, cf. Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:19-20; 2:14-15) and Scripture (special revelation, cf. Ps. 19:7-11; 119). God wrote both! They do not disagree!
4. good book ‒ Bernard Ramm, The Christian View of Science and Scripture.
How does Genesis 1-11 relate to modern history?
1. Eastern and western literary genres are different. Not true or false, not right or wrong, but different. Genesis 1-11 is pre-history. It is crucial theologically, but somewhat veiled (brief literary pattern). Veiled in literary genre, veiled in historical drama, veiled as is the end of history (i.e. Revelation).
  SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE
2. Christianity, as Judaism, is a historically based religion. It stands or falls on its historical events. However, some events (i.e. Genesis 1-11) are beyond our comprehension, so they are communicated in ways that humans can understand (i.e. accommodation). This is not in any way to deny their trustworthiness, but to emphasize their theological purpose. The Bible chooses to focus not on creation (Gen. 1-3), but on re-creation (redemption, Gen. 4-50).
3. Genesis is set within a "historical" frame of reference. We can document obvious links to secular history beginning with Genesis 12 (i.e. Nuzi and Mari Tablets). However, Genesis 1-11 is beyond historical confirmation and genre identification.
  SPECIAL TOPIC: HISTORIOGRAPHY
How does Genesis 1-11 relate to ANE literature?
1. There are parallels of Genesis 1-2, 3, and 6-9 from Mesopotamian and Egyptian sources. Often terminology, details, and story line are similar. However, the Bible's monotheism and the dignity of humanity are unique (i.e. Gen. 1:26-27; 3:8; see SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE CREATION AND FLOOD MYTHS).
2. There are at least two dangers in approaching the Bible as literature.
  1. As literature it is mythological, totally non-historical.
  2. As literature it is literal, no figurative language, no eastern genres, no dramatic, parabolic events. See G. B. Caird, The Langauge and Imagery of the Bible.
    
    God has revealed Himself to a particular time and culture using human language (i.e. metaphors, analogies, hyperbolies, and negations). It is true and trustworthy, but not exhaustive.
3. Creation is a progressive revelation truth. Genesis 1-3 are foundational, but Psalms (esp. Ps. 8; 19; 104) and the NT are also crucial for a proper perspective. Each of the three sources adds to a theological understanding of the divine method and purpose of creation.
4. good authors ‒ R. K. Harrison, Roland deVaux, John H. Walton
How do we interpret Genesis 1-11?
1. How it all began and how it will all end are veiled (Genesis 1-11 and Revelation, i.e. we see through a glass darkly, cf. 1 Cor. 13:12; see SPECIAL TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE).
2. We have all the truths needed to respond to God and to understand the Bible. But, we do not have exhaustive, literal, complete facts. We have theologically selective and interpreted events. See "Bible Interpretation Seminar"
3. We must view Gen. 1-11 through
  1. literary genre
  2. theological emphasis
  3. historical events
  4. not modern western science/culture/biases
  5. modern concerns
4. Fallen humans all stand before the Bible (i.e. God's revelation) and are judged by it. It is beyond our mental abilities, but we must be able to comprehend it in order to be able to properly respond to it. Believers interpret it differently (some poorly), but all are responsible for the truths they understand. It reveals God; it reveals human rebellion; it reveals divine redemption. Our eternities are related to these truths, not the how and when of creation and the events of Gen. 1-11. They are primarily the Who and why, which are so crucial, not the when and how.
  God have mercy on us all (and He has)!