Bible Study: Genesis

Introduction

Genesis 1-11 contains many of the most well known stories of the Bible. But these same stories can also be the most controversial. The most prominent story, for example, is at the same time the most debated -- the story of Creation in Genesis 1. That much discussion surrounds these early chapters of the Bible is not surprising since they touch on fundamental principles of human existence. Genesis 1-11 presents the biblical account of humanity's origin, attempts to assess that most perplexing of subjects, human nature, as well as hinting at humanity's destiny.

But what does the Bible say about these profound topics?
Does it say what so many seem to assume?
Is there any way to achieve a reasonable account of the meaning of Genesis 1-11?

Unfortunately, the many attempts to grapple with Genesis 1-11 rest on misguided assumptions about what the text intends to communicate. As a result the truly profound and insightful contributions of Genesis to our understanding of human existence is overshadowed or missed altogether. This course will not attempt to sidestep difficult questions that many people ask of Genesis, but it will focus attention on what Genesis meant to communicate to its readers.

The first step in this process will be to recognize the most helpful tools for interpreting the passages to be examined. The course will rely on the insights of historical and cultural studies as well as employing the principles of literary criticism to arrive at well grounded conclusions about the message of Genesis 1-11.

Because Genesis 1-11 touches upon primordial subjects it is little wonder that it engages not only theology, but also philosophy, science, sociology, anthropology, and more in a form that is thoroughly artistic. Because of this, the course will deal with the effect of literary criticism. We must avoid the distinctly modern assumption that fact and value, form and content, literature and history are necessary dichotomies. We must begin by acknowledging that literary work can have historical value and historical writing can have aesthetic qualities.

Audience and cultural context are also important but here again unnecessary dichotomies have been assumed. Some have tended to see the Bible as a book "dropped from the sky" emphasizing its transcendence and timelessness. Others have on the other hand erred on the side of immanence, locking the Bible into its historical setting and deeming it irrelevant. It is important to deny neither the transcendence nor immanence of the Biblical stories realizing that it was first written into a particular context and moment in history but also recognizing that it still can communicate powerfully to our own historical moment.

The next step will be to carefully proceed through the contents of the individual chapters:

1 Creation
2-3 Fall in the Garden
4-5 Cain and Abel and genealogies
6-9 The Flood
10 Growth of Nations
11 Tower of Babel

Finally, the course will attempt to bring the various elements of the study together into a coherent presentation of the theology of these critical chapters. Throughout, an attempt will be made to focus on what these chapters teach us about God, the Creation and human nature. Join me on this incredible journey!

Introduction

Lessons