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The Importance of Genesis. Foundations are crucial. A weak foundation means that the structure built upon that foundation will fall. Applies, not only to physical structures, but to philosophical and theological constructs. “Creation is a side issue.” “It’s divisive.”.
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Foundations are crucial • A weak foundation means that the structure built upon that foundation will fall. • Applies, not only to physical structures, but to philosophical and theological constructs.
“Creation is a side issue.” “It’s divisive.”
Genesis is foundational to the gospel What is the gospel? In a nutshell, it is that Jesus Christ died for your sins and by personally accepting His sacrifice on your behalf you have reconciliation with God. What is sin? Where did sin originate?
Genesis is foundational to the gospel • Sin, man’s disobedience to God “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Genesis is foundational to the gospel • Sin, man’s disobedience to God • Death
Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothedthem.
Genesis is foundational to the gospel • Sin • Death • Heterosexual marriage
Genesis is foundational to the gospel • Sin • Death • Heterosexual marriage • Man is made in God’s image
Genesis is foundational to the gospel • Sin • Death • Heterosexual marriage • Man is made in God’s image • Trinity
Different views of Genesis creation • Gap theory
Different views of Genesis • Gap theory • Theistic evolution
Different views of Genesis • Gap theory • Theistic evolution • Progressive creationism
Different views of Genesis • Gap theory • Theistic evolution • Progressive creationism • Framework hypothesis
Different views of Genesis • Gap theory • Theistic evolution • Progressive creation • Framework hypothesis • Biblical six-day creation
Different views of Genesis • Gap theory • Theistic evolution • Progressive creation • Framework hypothesis • Biblical six-day creation Only one of the above can be true.
allegory \ ‘al-Ə-,gōr-ē, -,gor\ n, pl –ries [ME allegorie, fr. L. allegoria, fr. Gk allegoria, fr. allegorien to speak figuratively, fr. allos other + -agorein to speak publicly, fr. agora assembly – more at ELSE, GREGARIOUS] (14c) 1: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also: an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression 2: a symbolic representation: EMBLEM (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, 1991, Thomas Allen & Son Limited, Markham, ON)
Poetry?By suggesting that Genesis is poetry, it is implied that a non-literal interpretation is justified. However, this is a false premise. Form does not necessarily imply non-literal interpretation.
Psalms are poetry. • Poetry employs metaphors, similes, symbolism, cadence, parallelism, etc. • Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” • Ps. 2:2 “And the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed…” • Ps. 3:5 “I lay down and slept.” • Ps. 4:1 “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.”
Genesis is written as an historical narrative, not as an allegory or poetry.
Psalm 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? Unfortunately, the atheist better understands the issue than most churchgoers.
‘Christianity has fought, still fights, and will continue to fight science to the desperate end over evolution, because evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus’ earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the Son of God. If Jesus was not the redeemer who died for our sins, and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing.’ G. Richard Bozarth, ‘The Meaning of Evolution’, American Atheist, p. 30. 20 September 1979
Can a person be saved and hold a non-literal/historical view of Genesis? • Yes, but they are being inconsistent. • What kind of foundation are they building?
1 Peter 3:15 …but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (answer, NIV) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Acknowledgements • www.Creation.comCreation Ministries International • www.icr.orgInstitute for Creation Research • www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis