Lesson 3 December 14, 2003
1. This is true not just for Genesis but also for
the Pentateuch, the books of the Law, the first 5 books.
2.
When looking at Genesis it would be more
accurate to say that he was the compiler, the editor of the oral and written
documents that have been handed down through the patriarchs.
3.
There are no verses in Genesis that
indicate explicitly that Moses wrote it. Exodus begins with a waw consecutive which links it to the preceding, a
continuation.
4.
Since the late 1800's the view of many so called Biblical Scholars related to
the authorship of Genesis as well as the rest of the Torah (the Law) is that it
was the result of multiple authorship and they date it very late.
This is called the
Documentary theory, and it analyzes Scripture on the same basis as any piece of
literature.
The conclusion
they arrived at was called the JEDP theory of authorship. (4 authors)
J = YHWH - placed
in the time of the Southern kingdom à 850 BC; includes the ethics and theological
information here
E
= Elohim - placed in the time of the Northern Kindgdom à 750 BC; not so much concerned with ehtics/theology as with details or particulars about
events.
D
= Deuteronomic; composed under the direction of Hilkiah around 620 BC as part of the reforms of Josiah;
also supposedly reworked Joshua and Kings.
P
= Priestly; time of 570 - 450 BC assembled by Ezra; often referred to as the
holiness code because it contained the sections on the insitution
of the theocracy, geneologies, rituals, and
sacrifices.
5. Date of writing
by Moses - 1485 to 1405 BC therefore either just before the Exodus or during
the wilderness wanderings.
6. Qualifications
of the writer Moses
a.
Educated in the 13th dynasty of
b. The writer exhibits great personal knowledge of climate,
geography of
c.
As the founder of the Jewish nation he would have a strong incentive to write
about their origins and their relationship to other nations.
d.
By the time that Moses wrote he was a mature believer Heb. 11:23-27 and
therefore ready and prepared for the responsibility that God handed him.
·
Problems that
must be dealt with in the study of Genesis 1-11
1. Evolution - the
24 hours of creation days verses the geological ages.
2. Fiat creation -
how the universe came into existence, the cause.
3. The Fall - the
issue and the consequences
4. The genealogies
- are they literal or not; are there holes in the sequence; are they any help
in establishing chronology?
5. The Flood -
universal or local, why the judgement was needed?
6. The
7. The curse on
Cain - What's involved?
8. Need to examine
some of the issues of dating of events in ancient history.
9.
·
Some
hermeneutical observations; some general principles that must be adhered to:
If we're to deal
with the issues raised in Genesis objectively,
honestly then we must be very careful to follow correct hermeneutics. Too many
violate them to force conclusions they desire.
1. All Scripture
is God breathed, that is inspired by God. Is Genesis Scripture?
2. It exhibits
what is referred to as external and internal clarity.
3. Revelation is
accommodated that is anthropopathisms and anthropomorphisms are considered.
4. Revelation is
progressive is recognized.
5. Scripture
interprets Scripture
6. The analogy of
faith
This says that
there is one system of truth and that all doctrines rightly divided agree.
7. Scripture has
one meaning, one interpretation.
8. It may have
many applications.
A problem often
arises when application is attempted to be read back into the interpretation or
made a part of the interpretation.
Note: (B.L.) To interpret any passage of Scripture in a manner contrary
to the intent of the author is unsound hermeneutically and dangerous
theologically.
If Genesis is not
historically trustworthy then simple logic shows that neither is the rest of
Scripture including its testimony about Jesus Christ.
What is the
testimony of Jesus Christ related to OT canon in general and Genesis in particular?
First Genesis:
1. Adam and Eve
were created by God. Mt. 19:4
2. Abel was
murdered. Mt
3. The flood of Gen
6 -7 destroyed the earth in Noah's day. Lk 17:27
Other OT
references:
4. God spoke to Moses
through a burning bush. Lk 20:37
From the passages
we find that it is Jesus Christ, YHWH Elohim in view.
5. Elijah and Elisha performed miracles. Lk
4:25f
6. That Jonah was
in the great fish 3 days. Mt 12:40
7. That Daniel made
true prophetic predictions. Mt 24:15
Conclusion:
We are forced to
choose between Christ and the critics of the Bible.
Must either accept
the authenticity and authority of the OT. or to impugn the integrity of Christ!
If Jesus taught
truth and He did, then the OT is historically accurate, divinely authoritative
and a part of the Word of God.
1. Original creation 1:1
2. Restoration and preparation for habitation
1:2-31
3. The 7th day and its significance
2:1-3
4. Creation of man and woman and origin of
marriage 2:4-25
5. Temptation and the Fall
of man and its consequences Chapter 3
6.
Conflict between Cain and Abel, the
conflict between works and grace, false religion verses the truth 4:1-24 [consequence
is the spread of godlessness]
7.
Generations from Adam to Noah
8.
Judgment of the Flood 6:1-8:22
9.
Covenant promise to Noah 9:1-17
10.
Curse on
11.
Succession of generations from the Sons
of Noah 9:
- often referred to as the Table of Nations.
12.
Dispersion of the people 11:1-9 Tower of
13.
Succession from Shem 11:10-32 Abe's ancestry