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Genesis is the first book of the Bible. It is also the first of five books of the Jewish Torah called The Pentateuch. Genesis was written by Moses over 3400 years ago. Its theme is "beginnings." In fact, the word Genesis means origins. Genesis tells us the true history of how and when all things came into existence ... how and when the human race began ... how and when sin and rebellion against God entered our world ... and, finally, it gives us an account of the ancient people who God chose in order to reveal himself to mankind.
So, the historicity and reliability of the book of Genesis is of paramount
importance in the Word of God. Its accounts lay the foundation for all of the
rest of Scripture. Time and again, the New Testament refers to its recorded
events and personalities. The book of Romans, for instance, relies on the
historicity of the Genesis account of Adam and Eve and their act of disobedience
as its basis for the critical doctrines of sin and salvation. It also cites the
lives of Abraham and Sarah to demonstrate that salvation is by faith alone. In
the New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), Jesus confirmed the
historicity of Noah and the Flood as well as the historic persons of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. Jesus also confirmed the authenticity of the Genesis account of
the destruction of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. So, the veracity of
the whole of the Bible rests on the straightforward history of man and God as
set forth in the book of Genesis. After studying the book of Genesis for over 50
years, I am absolutely convinced that its accounts can stand any unbiased test
of history, science or theology. Truly, as you have it in
Psalm 119:160a,
Thy word is true from the beginning...(KJV)
Now, because Genesis is the true history of the origin of man and all things
material, no other book of the Bible is more frequently disparaged and attacked.
Its straightforward accounts of the history of man and the world fly in the face
of modern man's theories and religious notions. Needless to say, then ... as far
as the world is concerned, there are a great deal of controversial and disputed
truths in the pages of the book of Genesis. Here are a few of them:
... There is only one, true and
living God who created all things.
... All things were created by God ex
nihilo (out of nothing) by simply
speaking them into existence.
... The creation of our world and its universe is
dateable.
... The earth and its universe are young
(therefore, so called “scientific” Evolution and its reliance on great age for
the creation around us is bogus).
... Satan is real.
... Adam and Eve are historic and, indeed,
the first parents of the human race.
... The first civilization on planet Earth was judged by God, being utterly
destroyed by a worldwide flood.
…
the Promised Land (consisting of much of the Middle East) was given to Abraham
and his covenant descendants for an
everlasting possession.
You may disagree with one or more of the above accounts found in the book of
Genesis. If so, I would simply ask that you read this amazing book of Scripture
as expounded here in First Work and
weigh the evidence for yourself. God is not a God who asks people to throw away
their brains. I am convinced that all that is written in this ancient, unique
and eternal book can stand on its own two feet in the light of history, reason
and sound science. Don’t make the mistake of throwing out mankind’s only true
book of origins merely because a myriad of voices oppose it in the name of
political correctness and humanistic philosophy … or any other preconceived
religious or political ideology.
Colossians 2:8, warns us,
Beware lest anyone cheat you through
philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the
world, and not according to Christ.
It is not surprising then, that Satan's strongest attacks are aimed at the
Bible's book of Genesis. However, he has never been able to destroy one word of
the Word of God. He has only been able to attempt to keep it out of people’s
hands and, if that failed, to lie about it and to demean it along with the true
and living God who authored it in the first place. Ultimately, the one who gave
us the book of Genesis will one day destroy the dark god of this world. As you
have it in
Revelation 20:10,
And the devil, who deceived them,
was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false
prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
(KJV)
So, I am convinced that anyone who comes to the book of Genesis with an open and
humble mind ... asking God to reveal its reliability and truths to them ... will
undoubtedly be granted to know its veracity for themselves. Jesus said,
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
And again, as he prayed to his Father for us, his followers, in
John 17:17
(NIV),
Sanctify them by the truth;
your word is truth.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.