The Foundational Basis of Genesis
G. Thomas Sharp • April 23, 2021
I have read again The Genesis Record, chapter 1 (Dr. Henry M. Morris, 2006). This was the “umpteenth” time for me to read this remarkable volume that was prepared by the modern father of Biblical creationism. And yes, it is written that well, and by the man that was without a doubt the father of the 20th century revival of Biblical creationism (in fact every Christian needs to read this book!). If I am ever again the headmaster of a Christian school, this book would be a graduation requirement.
Dr. Morris plainly tells us that the Book of Genesis is probably the most important book ever written (p.17), because if the Bible is ever printed without the Book of Genesis as its foundational basis, the balance of the Scripture would be bereft of meaning and purpose! This one book alone adequately deals with the origin of the universe, its order and complexity, the solar system, atmosphere and hydrosphere, life, man, marriage, evil, language, government, culture, the nations, religion, and Israel and its people.
It is significant that one of the first twelve chapters of Genesis is either quoted or referred to in the majority of the New Testament. Jesus continuously referenced Genesis, including specific reference to each of the first seven chapters. It is of vital importance that the reader understand that in all instances where NT writers referred to Genesis not one time did they infer or say Genesis was myth or allegory (p.22).
Dr. Nelson Glueck (gl-OO’-eh-k), a leading archaeologist during the latter half of the 20th century, wrote, “As a matter of record…it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted {disputed} a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible" (Rivers in the Desert, NY, 1959, p. 31).
If a person chooses to disbelieve the Bible for whatever reason, no one can with academic certainty say that the Bible is inconsistent in its message, even though it was written by 40 or more writers, over a space of 1500 years; no one can say the Bible does not accurately treat all scientific data about which it speaks; no one can allege the history of the Bible is inaccurate; no one can say that Jesus Christ is not the center and circumference of its content; and no one can legitimately be offended at its ultimate message.
There is a Savior who was virgin born. His name is the above every name that has ever been name! He lived in a sinful world without sinning. He was the revelation God in the flesh. His ultimate objective was ratifying the covenant in His own blood - blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel. He prayed more than any man prayed, and He loved unto the end of His fleshly life. But He arose on the third day and lead captivity captive! He stands open-armed with this invitation:
Dr. Morris plainly tells us that the Book of Genesis is probably the most important book ever written (p.17), because if the Bible is ever printed without the Book of Genesis as its foundational basis, the balance of the Scripture would be bereft of meaning and purpose! This one book alone adequately deals with the origin of the universe, its order and complexity, the solar system, atmosphere and hydrosphere, life, man, marriage, evil, language, government, culture, the nations, religion, and Israel and its people.
It is significant that one of the first twelve chapters of Genesis is either quoted or referred to in the majority of the New Testament. Jesus continuously referenced Genesis, including specific reference to each of the first seven chapters. It is of vital importance that the reader understand that in all instances where NT writers referred to Genesis not one time did they infer or say Genesis was myth or allegory (p.22).
Dr. Nelson Glueck (gl-OO’-eh-k), a leading archaeologist during the latter half of the 20th century, wrote, “As a matter of record…it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted {disputed} a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible" (Rivers in the Desert, NY, 1959, p. 31).
If a person chooses to disbelieve the Bible for whatever reason, no one can with academic certainty say that the Bible is inconsistent in its message, even though it was written by 40 or more writers, over a space of 1500 years; no one can say the Bible does not accurately treat all scientific data about which it speaks; no one can allege the history of the Bible is inaccurate; no one can say that Jesus Christ is not the center and circumference of its content; and no one can legitimately be offended at its ultimate message.
There is a Savior who was virgin born. His name is the above every name that has ever been name! He lived in a sinful world without sinning. He was the revelation God in the flesh. His ultimate objective was ratifying the covenant in His own blood - blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel. He prayed more than any man prayed, and He loved unto the end of His fleshly life. But He arose on the third day and lead captivity captive! He stands open-armed with this invitation:
“If any man thirsts let him come unto to Me and drink.”
John 7:37
As many of you may know, I appreciate space. Not space around me, although the older I get the more I appreciate that as well. The things in the heavens fascinate me and have for a large chunk of my life. I love working with our telescopes, allowing people to see for themselves objects that the Lord made on the 4th day of history. When I was younger I followed our Space Shuttle program, and over the years I have had the opportunity to see a couple of those shuttles around the country. Now it is great to see all the renewed interest in exploring the heavenly creation. I know most of it is for evolutionary reasons, yet over and over again something is discovered that points to the trustworthiness of God’s Word. After all, we are to study His creation as Genesis 1:28 states. On a recent trip to El Paso, it occurred to me that Blue Origin’s launch facility is in west Texas somewhere. After some quick searching I realized we were within an hour and half of it, and there was a rescheduled launch window during the time of our meeting. So, with some persuading of my colleagues, we arose early one morning to make the launch. We made it with just minutes to spare. It was spectacular! The whole launch to just beyond the Karman Line (space boundary, 62 miles/100km) and return of the rocket and capsule is about ten minutes total. While Blue Origin is best known for its New Shepherd rocket that carries paying customers to space and back with the biggest windows ever in a capsule, this NS-29 launch was purely experimental with a payload of instruments to measure simulated lunar gravity. Even though it was not a Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Starship or Falcon launch, it was great to hear and feel a launch for the first time, from blast off to the sonic boom return. It has piqued my desire to see a bigger launch now. As I began to reflect on what I experienced, the Lord reminded me of His design. Earth, our home planet, is so well designed for life. There is literally nowhere in all the universe like it. Yet He gave us the ability to discover creation beyond it. The only reason we can launch rockets and do space exploration is because He set it up in an orderly way. Physics works because He established it to work in a predictable fashion. As much as we may never understand everything in the universe from our position here, it works on an ordered reality that is reinforced by God’s Word. This is what drove Sir Isaac Newton in his understanding of physics. He wrote, “The motions which the planets now have could not spring from any natural cause alone but were by an intelligent Agent.” Evolutionists may come up with theories about the origin of things in the heavens, but over and over again they are being shown through experimentation and observation to be wrong. The Lord set the order of everything in the beginning and sustains it by His Word (Hebrews 1:3). So as you look to the heavens tonight, gaze into the depths of space and observe the different facets the Lord placed up there for our eyes (Genesis 1:17). Peer through a telescope at the lesser light of the moon with marvel and anticipation of further human study in the coming years. Check out the amazing observations being made by the James Webb telescope from deep in space. All of these place a perspective of how awesome our Creator is and how much we depend on Him. Our design becomes more and more obvious with every discovery, yet in our universe we appear so minuscule and fragile. Thanks be to God that His infinite focus has, is and always will be here on us! Blessings.
Moses & History (part 2)