As most of you are aware, this Sunday we will begin our series on the book of Genesis. Though we haven't mapped it all out, we anticipate that it will take the bulk of 2009 for us to get through the book and cover all the themes, storylines, and theological truths that we believe God intends to show us in this first book of the Bible.
We also know that the book of Genesis can lead to many questions, and various theological perspectives can be found among those who love the Bible in answer to these sometimes tricky questions. As you think through the stories of creation, the fall, the flood, etc, what are some of the questions that are most on your mind? We hope to incorporate answers where we can to some of the pressing questions that may be on your hearts and minds as you've read through, or as your children have studied in home school or Christian school (or even secular college) about many of the things in here. We want to hear from you!
So post your questions here or email them to me directly, kirk [at] gracecommunity [dot] ws
Look forward to hearing about what's on your mind in relation to this glorious book!
We moderate the comments, so please know that even though we can't post every comment, we do read and appreciate them all.
We ask for all public comments to be made prayerfully and with the respect you would offer to people face to face. We would be grateful if you would include your first and last name unless your question or comment is of a sensitive nature.
Thank you!
Genesis Questions
Rob (not verified) Says:Kirk:
I have some questions that I hope you may comment on... These often come up whenever I go through Genesis in January... I have my own perspectives, but I would be very interested in hearing you comment as you go through the book this year...
1) How did they live to be so old?
969 years old is old... Luther, Calvin, and all the reformers would still be alive today if we could live to be so old... We would only be a little more than 2 generations removed from the days that Christ walked on the earth. If I lived a healthy life and died at a ripe old age of 900 years, I would live to see the year 2873!! I honestly can't explain this one... I believe it because I am theologically conservative, but I can't explain it...
2) Who are/were the Nephilim?
Does this explain the giants that were in the land of Canaan? or folks like Goliath? who were the sons of God that are being referred to? Are they related to the Anakim? The Nephilim that were described after the flood must have been evil strongmen, but not related to those pre-flood people, since they were all destroyed in the flood.
3) Noah and the Ark: How did Noah have room for all the animals to fit on one ship? I mean all the different animals in rain forests, desert, arctic, temperate climates?
Could it have been a local flood which would have only covered the Mesopotamian plain. This would have still killed all humans except for Noah and his family. Thus, if this were the case, Noah would have only needed to get the animals from the area of Mesopotamia on his ark.
(From: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/localflood.html)
The referenced site argues that the literal translation of the Bible declares the Genesis flood to be local in extent, though universal in its judgment of humans (with the exception of Noah and his family). The evidence presented is purely biblical, although a strong case could also be given for extra-biblical reasons. A global interpretation of the Genesis flood requires that certain non-flood-related verses of the Bible contradict each other. In addition, a global interpretation of the Genesis flood would require the Genesis text to contradict itself. The lack of global references in the book of Genesis through chapter 11 (with the exception of Genesis 1), reveals that all the early events of Genesis occurred in a small geographic area. In addition, an examination of the original Hebrew text of the Genesis flood account demonstrates that the global wording of our English translations misrepresents the original intent of the passage.
Looking forward to dive in to Genesis....
- reply
»