Genesis 1-11 - Fact or Fiction ?

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Genesis 1-11 - Fact or Fiction ?

Int. 1. Aim: To explain that Genesis 1-11 records the facts as they happened and they are not just a fictitious story. 2. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 3. The first eleven chapters of Genesis tell us about some very important events a. Creation - Genesis 1-2 - All things were created by God in six 24 hour days.

b. Sin - Genesis 3 - Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from the Garden of Eden c. Cain killed his brother Abel - Genesis 4

d. Genesis 5 records the genealogies of Adam and his descendants till the time of Noah e. f. g. The Flood account is recorded in Genesis 6-9 Genesis 10 tells about the new people on the earth, the descendants of Noah The Tower of Babel with the confusion of languages is recorded in Genesis 11

4. Are these chapters Fact or Fiction ? a. Fact - a thing done, the quality of being actual, something that has actual existence, an actual occurrence, a piece of information about something presented as true and accurate. [Websters] b. Fiction - an invented story, something invented by the imagination or feigned 5. The first eleven chapters of the Bible have been described by many as just a myth, not real history. a. These are said to contain spiritual truth, but they cannot be taken seriously as records of real people and events.

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b. Here is one mans definition of Myth: And by Myth I dont mean a meaningless story, I mean a story blending fact and fiction that serves (and is created/intended to serve) as a vehicle to convey truth. [Genesis: Myth or History by Russell Grigg] 6. We will discuss why we have this problem and the answer as to whether Genesis 1-11 is fact or fiction.

Discussion I. PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY EVOLUTION A. After Darwins book Origin of Species was published in 1859 many scientists rejected the Bible the account of creation. 1. Over the years the theory of evolution has claimed that everything has evolved over millions and billions or years. 2. This has become the accepted standard in the educational world and by many.

B. Some who believed in the Bible wanted to also accept the theory of evolution 1. They call this Theistic Evolution, which is the theory that says God created everything and that evolution is the process by which all things came to be. 2. Since they believe in evolution they cannot accept everything in the Bible as being true. 3. Evolutionary creation claims that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the universe and life through an ordained, sustained, and design-reflecting evolutionary process. [Evolutionary Creation: by Denis O. Lamoureux]

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C. For many years only the state schools taught this idea of theistic evolution. 1. But in recent years some of our Christian schools and universities have begun teaching the same. [See notes at the end of this sermon] 2. Since the young people attend these schools many in the church today are rejecting Genesis 1-11 as being historical.

D. This is a very important issue because the gospel itself is at stake 1. If we agree that Genesis 1-11 is myth, the divinity of Scripture - the inspiration of the Bible is denied, 2. When we deny inspiration then we have lost Scripture's authority, reliability, clarity, sufficiency, and unity. 3. This would mean that the Bible is not really the word of God.

II.

NEW TESTAMENT PROOF THAT GENESIS IS LITERAL HISTORY A. If we had no other means by which to determine whether Genesis is myth or history, the New Testament alone is ample proof. 1. The New Testament has at least 60 allusions to Genesis 111, with over 100 allusions to the entire book (Cosner, 2010). 2. Jesus and the writers of the New Testament consistently treated Genesis as literal history. 3. As a matter of fact, every New Testament author refers to Genesis, and nearly every New Testament book does as well. 4. Their handling of the Genesis text demonstrates that they considered the events to have actually occurred, not myth or legendary folklore.

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B. Here are some examples of Jesus which shows he believed in Genesis 1-11 1. He indicated the foundation of the marriage institution, quoting Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 as historical precedent and proof that divorce for any reason is unacceptable to God. He was correcting the mistaken teaching of the Pharisees regarding divorce. a. Matthew 19:4-5 NKJV And He answered and said to them, Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? b. Did Jesus mean to ground marriage on fairy tales? 2. Jesus mentioned Abel as a real person whose blood was shed on account of his righteous behavior, just like other historical personages in human history a. Matthew 23:35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. b. If Abel was not an actual person who lived on Earth, neither was Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom Jesus said the Jews murdered between the temple and the altaran actual physical location. 3. Jesus declared Satan to be a murderer from the beginning and the father of liesreferring to the Fall a. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father

you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

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b. Genesis 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. 4. Jesus referenced Moses writings as genuine representations of history John 5:46-47 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (NKJV) 5. Jesus spoke of the days of Noah and the Flood as an actual historical event that has many parallels to the future coming of the Son of Man in terms of what people will be doing with their time - Matthew 24:35-39 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 6. Jesus compared Capernaum to Sodom, saying, for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you (Matthew 11:23-24). Sodom would have had to have been an actual city for it to have remained until this day and for it to fare more tolerably in the Day of Judgment

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7. The genealogical lists of Jesus physical lineage identify actual historical persons in the first century all the way back to persons originally named in Genesis, a. These include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and Tamar - Matthew 1:1-17

b. It also includes Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Noah - Luke 3:23-38

C. Paul, likewise, treated persons, places, and incidents in Genesis as if historically real. Here is a sampling of some of his allusions: 1. He quoted Genesis 1:3 to note how God caused light to shine out of darkness For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6 2. Paul said Adam was the first human being on Earth a. 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. b. He was quoting Genesis 2:7 3. He claimed that Adam was made from dust as Genesis records. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 1 Cor. 15:47 NKJV - Genesis 2:7 4. He noted how the woman is from (out of) man referring to the fact that Eve was literally taken out of Adams body. a. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 1 Cor. 11:8

b. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 1 Cor. 11:12

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5. Paul quoted Genesis 2:24 to verify how a man and woman become one flesh (1 Corinthians 6:16), comparing marriage to the church (Ephesians 5:31). 6. Paul identified Adam and Eve by name, noting that Adam was created before the woman was created, and also noting the deception to which Eve succumbed a. 1 Timothy 2:13-14 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. b. This occurred via the serpent - 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 7. Paul claimed that Gods deity and attributes have been evident since the creation of the world (Romans 1:20). 8. Paul said that Jesus fulfilled the promises that had been made to the fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Romans 15:8).

D. Peter, too, endorsed the historicity of Genesis: 1. He alluded to the watery mass at Creation a. 2 Peter 3:5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, b. This is a quote from Genesis 1:6-7,9 2. He regarded the Flood as an actual historical event, mentioning Noah by name and specifying the number of survivors as eight, and the Floods extent being global

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1 Peter 3:20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

b. 2 Peter 2:5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 3. Peter believed in the historical personage of Lot and that God actually turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes to make them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly. a. The incident also serves the purpose of demonstrating how God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations - 2 Peter 2:6-9 b. If the incident was not historical, it would serve no legitimate parallel purpose. 4. Peter also noted the actual, historical relationship sustained by Sarah and Abraham - 1 Peter 3:6

E. The writer of the Hebrews letter bases his entire argument on the historicity of Genesis and the Old Testament system: 1. His quotation of Psalm 102 includes the fact that even as God created the heavens and the Earth, so they will perish a. Hebrews 1:10 And: You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. b. Both circumstances require literal historicity.

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2. Alluding to the fact that God finished His creative activities a. This is a direct allusion to Genesis 2:1

b. He then quotes Genesis 2:2 to call attention to the literal cessation of Gods actions on the seventh day of the week c. Hebrews 4:3-4; and vs. 10as God did from His

3. The comparison of Christ to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18) in contrast with Aaron demands that both of these figures were actual historical personages a. Hebrews 5:1-10

b. Hebrews 6:20 and Hebrews 7:1-21 4. Gods promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:17 was a literal promise to a literal person Hebrews 6:13-14 5. Gods creation of the Universe was by His word a. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. b. This is what Genesis records when it says that God spoke the created order into existence (God said). 6. Hebrews chapter 11 is a list of Whos Who of historical personalities from Genesis whose historicity is assumed: a. Cain and Abel (vs. 4),

b. Enoch (vs. 5), c. Noah (vs. 7),

d. Abraham (vss. 8-10),

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e. f. g.

Sarah (vs.11-12, who literally produced a multitude of descendants), Isaac (vss. 17-20), Jacob (vss. 20-21),

h. and Joseph (vs. 22). 7. Esau sold his birthright for food (12:16). 8. Abels shed blood is as historically real as Christs (12:24).

F. Other N.T. Writers show the same respect for the real history portrayed in Genesis. 1. James refers to Abrahams sacrifice of Isaac James 2:21 Jude 7,11,14

2. Jude mentions Cain, Enoch, and Sodom and Gomorrah

3. John notes that Cain murdered his brother because of his own sinful actions 1 John 3:12 4. Even the book of Revelation, though highly figurative, nevertheless contains numerous allusions to Genesis that indicate an historical understanding of the book a. Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. b. Revelation 10:6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

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G. To suggest that the book of Genesis is actually a compilation of interesting fables, myths, folklore, popular anecdotes, and stories, rather than actual history, is to suggest that the doctrines of Christianity are rooted in and dependent on fairytales and imaginary stories. H. If the events of Genesis did not historically occur, the New Testament writersand Jesus Himselfwere either in error or flat out liars, since they unquestionably referred to the events of Genesis as being historically true.

III.

EVIDENCE FROM OTHER BIBLE PASSAGES

A. If the events described in the book of Genesis were not intended to be understood as literal history, one would expect the rest of the Bible to give some indication of that fact. 1. But several passages scattered from the Old Testament to the New Testament allude to the events in such a way that they are fact not fiction. 2. For example, notice verses regarding the creation of the Universe by God. 3. The distinct impression is given in Genesis chapter 1 that God orally spoke everything into existence, rather than using some naturalistic, time-laden process. 4. Moses informs the Israelites situated at the base of Mt. Sinai Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Exodus 20:8-11

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a.

No Israelite listening to this declaration would have ever had the idea that God created everything in the Universe over a period of millions or billions of years.

b. The comparison between the days of Genesis 1 and the six-day work week enjoined upon people under the Law of Moses would have been unmistakable and could have been understood in no other way but literally.

B. Another example is seen in Psalm 33which is certainly written in standard Hebrew metrical versebut poetry that conveys literal truth. 1. Speaking of Gods creative powers, David declared: By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6-9

2. The figurative elements of this poetic passage are seen in the notions of breath and mouthphysical attributes that would not literally, physically characterize God Who is spirit (John 4:24; cf. Luke 24:39). 3. But the oral aspect of God speaking the physical realm into existence is literal, even as God literally and audibly spoke to people throughout history (e.g., Genesis 12:1ff.; 22:12; Exodus 3:4ff.; Matthew 3:17; 17:5).

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C. Still another example is seen in the psalmists call for praise by inanimate creation: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens! (Psalm 148:1-4 1. Here is an excellent instance of figurative language. Obviously, the Sun, Moon, stars, and waters cannot literally, audibly praise God. Yet, having been created by God, they reflect their Maker. 2. They manifest attributes that demonstrate their divine origin - Psalm 19:1ff 3. The next verse declares: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created (vs. 5). 4. Here is yet another forthright indication that the impression projected by the Genesis account, that God literally spoke the Universe into existence, is an accurate impression. This truth is given in figurative language.

D. We must ever remember that the Bible is unlike any other book on the planet. 1. It reflects its own divine origin by the attributes that it possesses.

2. By means of the Bible, God conveys His message to mankind in history (cf. Wharton, 1977). 3. We are introduced to the beginning of the Universe, the beginning of the human race, and thereafter we are treated to a sequential, historical narrative that guides us through 4,000 years of human history, climaxing with Gods own personal visit to the Earth. 4. This is all history! And it is clearly intended to be understood literally.

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CONCLUSION 1. The book of Genesis explains the Creation of the Universe, the corruption of humanity by sin, the catastrophe of the global Flood, and the confusion at Babel. 2. Critical doctrines that impact all of humanity are rooted in the events described in Genesis, including the necessity of clothing human modestyand why we organize our lives in terms of a seven day week, and the scheme of redemption. 3. More crucial doctrines that pertain to eternity are also approached early on, including why humans sin, why humans die, and why Jesus would have to die on the cross. 4. The very meaning of human existence is clarified by examining the book of Genesis. 5. The integrity of the entire Bible is seriously undermined when anyone compromises the literal, historical nature of the book of Genesis, with its critical teaching on origins. 6. If the Genesis is not reliable then the whole Bible is not reliable. 7. May we love God. May we love His Word. May we defend it against all efforts to destroy its integrity and message. May we pore over its contentsas if our lives, the lives of our family, and the lives of those we influence depend upon it. For, indeed, they do. 8. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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Notes about Our Christian Colleges:

Come on out of the closet by Brad Harrub August 26, 2012 on Facebook. Tonight I had a young man approach me after my seminar in Bono, Arkansas and ask if I had read the book The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton. This book teaches that Genesis 1-11 are not literal, but rather just ancient stories. The author, John Walton, weaves a portrait of an ancient Earth that he contends will allow Christians to embrace evolution. The reason this young man asked me if I was familiar with the book is because it was the textbook used in his Bible course at Harding University. His professor, Mack Sandlin, had even gone the extra step of inviting this denominational author to come and lecture his students on how the first chapters of the Bible were not literal. [In fact, this same professor warned this student to be careful in who you cite when he used my book Convicted in a paper in which the student defended a literal reading of Genesis.] A Bible faculty member who does not believe the Bible to be literalthe inspired Word of God?! And yet, parents are paying to have their children educated by men like this. I wish I could say this was an isolated event. But the reality is that I have had at least eight students in 2012 approach me and describe how their Christian schools are teaching evolution as factualnot merely as something they need to know. In some cases the science department is teaching evolutionary origins while the Bible department is holding to the Genesis creation account. Even a local Christian k-12 academy in Nashville is currently using secular books to teach their students sciencetextbooks that promote evolution. So Im calling out science and Bible faculty at so-called Christian colleges and universities. If you are teaching evolution as true then have the intestinal fortitude to come forward and tell parents and students ahead of time. In addition, if you have the courage to teach students this false theory in your classroom then surely you would be up for a debate to defend your teaching. I challenge you to come out of the closet, out of your ivory tower and let it be known. I challenge you to a debate on your campus, in front of your students. In fact, Ill cover my own expenses, so you wont be out any expenses. My email is brad@focuspress.org and I look forward to hearing from you. I am also calling out university/college Presidents to reveal the truth! I challenge you to put in your school brochures what you are really teaching about mans origins. I challenge you to put on your Web site what you are allowing to be taught at your institution. I challenge you to tell the public what is being taught at your institution before another family donates their estate to youunder the impression that you are still teaching that the Bible is truly the inspired Word of God. If you are willing to accept donations then at least have the courage to tell donors the Truth about what you teach. Isnt it time you come out of the closet and let the world know what you are teaching students? Isnt it time you defend your beliefs in front of the students whose minds you are warping. Isnt it time you are held accountable for undermining the faith of so many unsuspecting students. We expect such rubbish from the worldbut not from a Christian University. Brad Harrub - Facebook Sept. 7, 2012 Hey parents, here is a portion of an email I received from a young Christian. I hope you will remember this when considering who you will pay to educate your child: Dr Harrub, ...I spent my freshman and sophomore years of college at X@X, but decided not to go back this semester because the Bible department is so far removed from the truth. For just a few examples, my freshman Bible professor taught that Job "probably wasn't a real man" and actually said that whoever believes the creatures described in Job 40 and 41 are real is crazy. An Intro to Old Testament class lead us to believe creation was not done in the literal 24 hour days as the Genesis account describes. And yet, another Bible professor was questioning with himself personally whether there is a hell or not!...these are just a couple of examples out of far too many to cite in email... And yes, this was one of "our" schools. Silence Speaks Volumes: Brad Harrub - November 16, 2012 on Facebook A couple of weeks ago I mailed letters to EVERY Christian college president and preaching school president/director. I purposefully wrote the letter with a warm tone and was not confrontational. Instead I thanked them for the countless lives they have affected in a positive way for Him. Toward the end of the letter I made a request: "In order to better educate students and families on the best place for them to choose their higher education, I am publishing a directory which will accurately reflect what is being taught at our universities regarding only two areas: teaching of evolution (or theistic evolution) in science courses, and the inspiration of the Bible and how the Genesis creation account is taught in Bible courses (OT 1 or Pentateuch)." I recognize there are MANY more issues out there. But I am only focusing on these two. The letter continued: "My intent is not to be a watch-dog; however, students are leaving t he faith due to false teaching. I will not turn a blind eye to what "our" universities are teaching. Here is my official request: Please send me the names of the textbooks used and syllabus from General Biology courses and OT1/Pentateuch courses along with the name of the professor and their contact information. Now, I recognize that college presidents don't have a great deal of free time. But now, more than a month later, I have only heard from a couple of our preaching schools. I have not heard from a single Christian college president. If they are comfortable with what they are teaching then why would they not be willing to share that information??? Their silence speaks volumes. P.S. They will be getting a reminder letter and follow-up phone call. Those who choose not to respond will be marked as such in the directory.

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Sources Consulted 1. Genesis: Myth or History? By Dave Miller 2. Is a Literal Interpretation of Genesis 1 Im portant by W ayne Jackson 3. Is Genesis 1-11 Historical ? By David J. Tyler 4. Genesis: Real, Reliable, Historical by Andrew A. Snelling 5. Evolutionary Creation by Denis O. Lam oureux

Serm on by Arthur Pigm an - Sunday Evening - Novem ber 18, 2012 Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 arthurpigm an@ bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org