Prelude
Can politics, science, or education fix our world? What if everyone kept the Ten Commandments? Is it even possible for a nation to keep the Ten Commandments?
Purpose: What are the Ten Commandments for?
Plan: Let’s look at Exodus 20 and the purpose of the Ten Commandments.
1) No Other Gods
Exodus 20:3 gave us the letter of the law, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” The word “gods” is very broad in Hebrew and includes angels, judges and other great heroes. Jesus taught us the spirit of the law, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Matthew 4:10) In the west, we tend to worship materialism and money, but Jesus taught us, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
2) No Idols
Should we refuse statues or pictures in our churches? The mercy seat was covered by two statues of cherubs. The tabernacle was embroidered with pomegranates. But, nobody bowed down to or worshipped those statues and pictures. Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) What is first in our lives? Is it cars, homes, skyscrapers, boats, airplanes, electronic gadgets, racial or gender superiority, real estate, property, science, education, medicine, constitutions, legal systems, nationalism, celebrities, drugs, brand names, political parties, capitalism, government, free enterprise, unionism, the economy, consumer goods, status, titles, position, money, gold, oil, stocks, bonds, central banks, materialism, leisure, religious traditions, food or God?
3) God's Name
In Exodus 20:7 we read, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Even in the Church God’s name is spoken in vain. How should we treat the name of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18), the one who lay down his life for us? In the Lord’s example prayer, we pray the opposite of blasphemy, the opposite of taking His name in vain, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9). We all fail to honor God’s name. God deserves the exact opposite of blasphemy: praise, honor, love and abundant thanks.
4) Sabbath
The Sabbath shows love to God and love to neighbor in rest from work. Ancient Israel strayed and God swore, “They shall not enter My rest.” (Hebrews 3:7) But, “we who have believed do enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:3). Was that rest the promised land? “For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:8-10) Jesus gives us rest (Matthew 11:28-30) when we abide in him (John 15:1-8).
5) Honor Parents
In Exodus 20:12 we read, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Paul repeated this command in Ephesians 6:1-3. What would happen to a society where parents are dishonored? Would we have a vicious and hateful society? How did Jesus honor His heavenly Father (John 15:9-17)? He obeyed God. Our children grow up learning to be selfish. Yet the love of an unselfish parent can teach us to love each other. A self-love that takes life from others destroys the taker. A love that gives life is the greatest love of all.
6) Murder
Exodus 20:13 says, “You shall not murder.” Jesus taught the spirit of that law, “whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ [worthless] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ [stupid] shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:22) What’s the opposite of murder in our hearts? A spirit of murder has nothing to do with the Spirit of God, expresses itself in hatred and division. The Holy Spirit guides us in the opposite direction, love and unity, deeper love for God and neighbor (1 Corinthians 13).
7) Adultery
Exodus 20:14 says, “You shall not commit adultery.” Adultery breaks marriages and families, and spreads mistrust and disease. Jesus explained the spirit of that command, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Jesus did not condemn a woman caught in adultery, but told her to sin no more. He did not come to condemn the world (John 3:1-17). We also know that it is not our business now to judge. We have hope because of “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
8) Stealing
Exodus 20:15 says, “You shall not steal.” Excessive fees, immoral legal charges, taking of native lands, or stealing time are all theft. Jesus explained two opposite motives, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Paul further explained, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” (Ephesians 4:28) Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
9) False Witness
Exodus 20:16 says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Bearing false witness proceeds out of the heart (Matthew 15:19). A true witness delivers souls (Proverbs 14:25). A fourfold witness testifies about Jesus: John the Baptist, the works that Jesus did, God the Father, and the Scriptures (John 5:31-40). Dogmatism is often a symptom of ignorance because those who love truth are not always so sure of their opinions. In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus discusses courts attempting to guarantee true witnesses by contrived swearing of oaths. Rather than relying on such hocus pocus, Jesus said simply, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’”
10) Covetousness
Exodus 20:17 says, “You shall not covet.” National leaders ought to hate covetousness (Exodus 18:21). Modern governments have far exceeded a ten percent tax (1 Samuel 8:10-18). Covetous people rob others of their inheritance (Micah 2:1-5). To someone defrauded of an inheritance by a greedy brother Jesus said not to covet what others have stolen, because they are the losers (Luke 12:13-21). The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) condemns not sharing with the poor. Covetous swindlers will not be in the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Covetousness causes war and conflict (James 4:1-4) and false religion (2 Peter 2).
Outro
Jesus reveals that those who think they are righteous because they have kept the letter of the law, are woefully lacking in understanding the spirit of the law. If we’ve thought it, it’s the same as if we’ve done it. The Ten Commandments are not an end in themselves, but expose the shortcomings in our hearts and lead us to Christ. We all sin, and the penalty is hell. That’s why Jesus paid the price and gives us a free pass to eternal peace, if we’ll put our trust in Him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Exodus 20; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:33; John 10:11-18; Matthew 6:9; Hebrews 3-4; Matthew 11:28-30; John 15:1-8; Ephesians 6:1-3; John 15:9-17; Matthew 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 5:28; John 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; John 10:10; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 20:35; Matthew 15:19; Proverbs 14:25; John 5:31-40; Matthew 5:33-37; Exodus 18:21; 1 Samuel 8:10-18; Micah 2:1-5; Luke 12:13-21; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; James 4:1-4; 2 Peter 2
Abraham, Father of the Faithful
Prelude
Why was Abram’s name changed to Abraham? Why is he called father Abraham? How did Abraham become father of the faithful?Purpose: Let’s look at the life of Abraham and discover why he is called a father to those who believe.
Plan: We’ll look at Genesis 12-25 and the life of a patriarch of our faith.
Genesis 12 I Will
In Genesis 12 God said to Abram six times “I will.” He told Abram go, "To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you” (Genesis 12:1-3). Abram left a comfortable life in Harran because he had faith in God’s promise. “To your descendants I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7) But Abram deceived Pharaoh, “...they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister.” He was fallible.Genesis 13-14 Abram & Lot
Abram was very rich in gold and silver and had enormous herds of animals. The land could not hold his and Lot’s herds so they separated. Revealing his character, Abram let Lot choose the best land. “If you take the left, then I will go to the right.” (Genesis 13:9) Lot chose the greener, sin-filled plains, but eventually needed rescue. Eastern kings attacked, captured Lot and his family. Abram took 318 fighting men and saved them. Then he met Melchizedek king of Salem [Jerusalem], a priest of God. Abram “gave him a tithe [a tenth] of all” (Genesis 14:20) and refused to be bribed by the king of Sodom.Genesis 15-17 Covenant
God encouraged Abram, “count the stars… So shall your descendants be… And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6) Sarai used her handmaid as a surrogate, who bore Ishmael. God changed Abram’s name from High Father (Abram) to Father of a Multitude (Abraham), and Sarai’s name from Princess (Sarai) to THE Princess (Sarah). God instituted circumcision as a sign of the covenant and promised a son via Sarah. Abraham laughed that a hundred-year-old man would father a son. So God said, “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac [Yitzhak, He Laughs].” (Genesis 17:19)Genesis 18-19 Sodom
Our Lord with two angels visited Abraham, promised a son and shared God’s plans for Sodom. Abraham asked about fifty, forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, or ten righteous there. The Lord promised, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” (Genesis 18:32). Lot lived in a city of ego, obesity, idleness, and where the poverty-stricken and disadvantaged suffered (Ezekiel 16:49). The Angels entered Lot’s home, but a mob yelled, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.” (Genesis 19:5) The angels rescued Lot from the gang, struck them blind and next morning destroyed the city.Genesis 20 Abraham Deceives Abimelech
Though Abraham was faithful to God, like us he was still not a perfect man. His defense by deception which came to the fore in Egypt had returned. Now the situation was similar with Abimelech king of Gerar. God warned Abimelech in a dream not to take Sarah as his wife. “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” (Genesis 20:7) We, like Abraham, are not perfect, yet we too can pray for people that they may live.Genesis 21 Isaac
Isaac was born as promised, and circumcised. Sarah wanted Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. God told Abraham, “Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” (Genesis 21:12-13) How does a father feel, sacrificing his son, to war, or to a cross? Abraham faced that test, believing God’s promise that, “In Isaac your seed shall be called, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham was spared that suffering. God was not.Genesis 23-25 Generational Change
Sarah died and Abraham bought property in Hebron to bury her. Then, Genesis 24 contains a beautiful love story, and the moving faithfulness of Abraham’s servant whom he sent to his own people to find Isaac a wife. Rebekah was willing, Isaac loved her and she became his wife. In Genesis 25 after Sarah’s death, Abraham had more children by Keturah and several concubines. He sent them away with gifts and gave his entire inheritance to Isaac. Later Mosaic law would be more equitable. After Abraham died, Isaac and Ishmael buried him beside Sarah and the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still attend his grave to this day, side-by-side in Hebron.Postlude
Abraham was far from perfect but, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17) “‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Relevance of Noah's Flood
Prelude
Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant?
Purpose: Let’s explore some questions about Noah and the flood.
Plan: Let’s look at Genesis 6-9 and the relevance of the story.
Who were the Sons of God?
Genesis 6:2 says, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” They cannot be angels because Jesus said angels cannot marry (Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:35–36). Ancient church fathers taught that the “sons of God” were probably descendants of Seth, a family that worshipped God. Did this family marry outside the faith and corrupt itself?
Genesis 6:5 says, “The wickedness of man was great… and … every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Our world and some churches also tolerate sin and promote it. God does not.
Was the Flood Genocide?
Genesis 6:7 says, “I will destroy man whom I have created” Whether allegory, myth or history how could God inspire a story of genocide? Death is not the end. There is hope beyond. Godlessness offers no hope beyond death. Whether God is good or not, He is still God! Who are we to judge God; we who kill innocent babies, drop atomic bombs on cities, drop drone bombs on civilians, and don’t care if the poor and immigrants live or die! God created us and is the only one who has the right to destroy us. Noah preached 120 years (Genesis 6:3) and they had every chance to repent.
Was the Flood Moral?
Innocent children were saved from a violent society and the church believes in the saving of innocents. God punishes sin to save society from itself. Rather than judge God, should we not rather repent and look to God to save us? How can anyone who rejects God’s instructions, judge from mere subjective opinion what is moral? How can those whose morality is based on the merciless dogma of the survival of the fittest judge a God who decides when and how men die or are punished?
Genesis 6:11 says, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Is our world more or less corrupt?
Is the Ark’s Size Reasonable?
Genesis 6:14-16 says, “make rooms in the ark … The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. … You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.” A cubit is what? It is the size from the tip of the fingers to the elbow. So the ark would have been about 1.5 football fields long or about ten standard standard box cars. How could the ark fit all those animals? These are the same proportions as a modern cargo ship. Animals under stress prefer tighter quarters, and if they were babies, food and shelter needs were smaller.
Was the Flood Myth?
Genesis 7:19-20 says, “and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered … and the mountains were covered.” Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? It may be myth (mythos, moral story more than accurate portrayal of events), but before we decide hastily, let’s ask questions.
Why are there over 200 similar flood stories from around the world? Words like myth or legend are usually applied to stories with few sources. This does not fit the usual criteria and if it were any other story these might be called variations on an historical event. It’s okay to disagree agreeably. People of faith hold a wide diversity of views.
Does the Flood Fit Geology?
Geology can be interpreted different ways. What about fossils of ocean creatures buried on tops of mountains? Fossils require rapid burial to be preserved. What about geological layers that require rapid formation and exist across entire continents? What about sediment that has been transported long distances? What about lack of erosion between strata, such as in the Grand Canyon? What about folded rock layers which could only have been bent while still wet, otherwise they would have broken up?
Does the story allegorically retell a local event? Of course there are also many unanswered questions with a literal interpretation and perhaps modern arguments over myth versus history miss more important lessons.
A Covenant of Faith
Genesis 9:11-13 says, “I establish My covenant … never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth … I set My rainbow in the cloud … sign of the covenant.” This is now the second covenant that God had made with mankind.
Genesis 9:21-22 says, “Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father.” Noah was righteous by faith, not sinless.
Ezekiel 14:14-20 says “Noah, Daniel, and Job ... would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” We cannot gain salvation by the faith of others, but only our own.
Living Faith
Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27 indicates before Christ’s return the world will be violent but normal things will continue like “eating and drinking, marrying and childbirth.”
Matthew 14:22–34; Mark 6:45–53 indicates that, despite its faults, the church is the boat of salvation and Jesus controls the water.
Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah … moved with godly fear, prepared an ark … and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” There is a righteousness by the letter of the law, but no one has been able to achieve that. Righteousness by faith is better, but a living faith also leads us to DO SOMETHING.
Preaching Faithfully
1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah.” In other words, God was patient for a long time. Noah preached 120 years, but only a few were saved through water, members of his own family. “There is also an antitype [picture] which now saves us—baptism.” Noah’s flood links baptism and salvation in a picture.
2 Peter 2:5 says Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” Preachers can relate to the loneliness and mockery that Noah must have experienced. It doesn’t matter what others think, preach God’s Word regardless. Noah persevered despite mockery and loneliness. Noah defines success for us not by numbers saved but faithfulness.
Postlude
Whether we believe that Noah and the flood are allegory, myth or history, it is a great lesson in faith and faithfulness. We know that God hates sin, but will save those who look to Him in faith. “There is also an antitype [“a picture” NLT] which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? Is God genocidal? Is the flood story relevant?
Purpose: Let’s explore some questions about Noah and the flood.
Plan: Let’s look at Genesis 6-9 and the relevance of the story.
Who were the Sons of God?
Genesis 6:2 says, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” They cannot be angels because Jesus said angels cannot marry (Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:35–36). Ancient church fathers taught that the “sons of God” were probably descendants of Seth, a family that worshipped God. Did this family marry outside the faith and corrupt itself?
Genesis 6:5 says, “The wickedness of man was great… and … every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Our world and some churches also tolerate sin and promote it. God does not.
Was the Flood Genocide?
Genesis 6:7 says, “I will destroy man whom I have created” Whether allegory, myth or history how could God inspire a story of genocide? Death is not the end. There is hope beyond. Godlessness offers no hope beyond death. Whether God is good or not, He is still God! Who are we to judge God; we who kill innocent babies, drop atomic bombs on cities, drop drone bombs on civilians, and don’t care if the poor and immigrants live or die! God created us and is the only one who has the right to destroy us. Noah preached 120 years (Genesis 6:3) and they had every chance to repent.
Was the Flood Moral?
Innocent children were saved from a violent society and the church believes in the saving of innocents. God punishes sin to save society from itself. Rather than judge God, should we not rather repent and look to God to save us? How can anyone who rejects God’s instructions, judge from mere subjective opinion what is moral? How can those whose morality is based on the merciless dogma of the survival of the fittest judge a God who decides when and how men die or are punished?
Genesis 6:11 says, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Is our world more or less corrupt?
Is the Ark’s Size Reasonable?
Genesis 6:14-16 says, “make rooms in the ark … The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. … You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.” A cubit is what? It is the size from the tip of the fingers to the elbow. So the ark would have been about 1.5 football fields long or about ten standard standard box cars. How could the ark fit all those animals? These are the same proportions as a modern cargo ship. Animals under stress prefer tighter quarters, and if they were babies, food and shelter needs were smaller.
Was the Flood Myth?
Genesis 7:19-20 says, “and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered … and the mountains were covered.” Is Noah’s flood allegory, myth or history? It may be myth (mythos, moral story more than accurate portrayal of events), but before we decide hastily, let’s ask questions.
Why are there over 200 similar flood stories from around the world? Words like myth or legend are usually applied to stories with few sources. This does not fit the usual criteria and if it were any other story these might be called variations on an historical event. It’s okay to disagree agreeably. People of faith hold a wide diversity of views.
Does the Flood Fit Geology?
Geology can be interpreted different ways. What about fossils of ocean creatures buried on tops of mountains? Fossils require rapid burial to be preserved. What about geological layers that require rapid formation and exist across entire continents? What about sediment that has been transported long distances? What about lack of erosion between strata, such as in the Grand Canyon? What about folded rock layers which could only have been bent while still wet, otherwise they would have broken up?
Does the story allegorically retell a local event? Of course there are also many unanswered questions with a literal interpretation and perhaps modern arguments over myth versus history miss more important lessons.
A Covenant of Faith
Genesis 9:11-13 says, “I establish My covenant … never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth … I set My rainbow in the cloud … sign of the covenant.” This is now the second covenant that God had made with mankind.
Genesis 9:21-22 says, “Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father.” Noah was righteous by faith, not sinless.
Ezekiel 14:14-20 says “Noah, Daniel, and Job ... would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” We cannot gain salvation by the faith of others, but only our own.
Living Faith
Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27 indicates before Christ’s return the world will be violent but normal things will continue like “eating and drinking, marrying and childbirth.”
Matthew 14:22–34; Mark 6:45–53 indicates that, despite its faults, the church is the boat of salvation and Jesus controls the water.
Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah … moved with godly fear, prepared an ark … and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” There is a righteousness by the letter of the law, but no one has been able to achieve that. Righteousness by faith is better, but a living faith also leads us to DO SOMETHING.
Preaching Faithfully
1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah.” In other words, God was patient for a long time. Noah preached 120 years, but only a few were saved through water, members of his own family. “There is also an antitype [picture] which now saves us—baptism.” Noah’s flood links baptism and salvation in a picture.
2 Peter 2:5 says Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” Preachers can relate to the loneliness and mockery that Noah must have experienced. It doesn’t matter what others think, preach God’s Word regardless. Noah persevered despite mockery and loneliness. Noah defines success for us not by numbers saved but faithfulness.
Postlude
Whether we believe that Noah and the flood are allegory, myth or history, it is a great lesson in faith and faithfulness. We know that God hates sin, but will save those who look to Him in faith. “There is also an antitype [“a picture” NLT] which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Creation
Prelude
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories?
Purpose: Let’s discuss creation.
Plan: We’ll look at Genesis 1-2, pros and cons of various creation theories and more importantly, some lessons.
A Few Notes
In A Beginning: Some scholars believe that “In the beginning” should be better translated “in a beginning”. The traditional translation has been followed by most scholars. (Kass, Leon R. The Beginning of Wisdom, University Of Chicago Press. 2006. 27.)
Let Us make Mankind: Who are the “us”? Some popular theories are God and the angels, that “us” adumbrates (indicates faintly) the Trinity, this is a leftover from earlier polytheistic accounts, which I personally doubt, or God uses the royal plural. We can only speculate.
The Earliest Account: Hasty thinking has led some to believe that Genesis 1-2 is not the earliest creation account. If Moses wrote all of Genesis including the two creation stories, then creation accounts from Babylon and Sumeria were earlier. However, if Moses was one of several editors or redactors of Genesis and not the sole author, that leaves room for the inclusion of very early creation documents and writings by the Patriarchs. If so, we don’t know how ancient these creation stories may have been.
Creation Theories
Let’s now examine a few of the many, many creation theories and some of their strengths and weaknesses:
1. Godless Evolution: A popular theory today is evolution without God. A strength is that it attempts to be honest with the geological record. This also exposes science’s greatest weakness, ignoring divinity.
2. Theistic Evolution: A popular theory is God-directed evolution. A strength of this theory is that it also tries to be honest with the geological record. A weakness is that it elevates potentially dishonest and fallible human testimony and demotes God’s Word. Also microevolution within a kind is observable, as dog breeding shows, but proof of macroevolution, into another family entirely, remains elusive.
3. The Day-Age Theory: The day-age theory speculates that the days of Genesis 1 are not literal days but ages, possibly millions of years. A strength of this theory is that it acknowledges popular interpretation of the geological record. Biblically, the word day sometimes refers to a period of time. A weakness is ignoring Genesis’ internal literary definition of a day being morning and evening.
4. The 6 Day Theory: This is the most literal interpretation. Some strengths are that “day” is defined as morning and evening. Some scientists claim that carbon dating is grossly distorted and the geological record can be interpreted in a manner consistent with a young earth. Some weaknesses are explaining light before the sun’s creation. Stars are put in the expanse, originally defined as between the waters. Day is used non-literally in Genesis 2:4. Popular interpretation of the geological record and carbon dating interpret a much older world.
[Note: I’ll stop there as theories are endless and can be tedious. The gap theory, polemic theory, allegory theory, majestic prose theory and intelligent design are discussed in the online notes for those who may be interested. Skip forward to Creation Lessons.]
5. The Gap Theory: According to this theory, the devil ruined things after Genesis 1:1 and the ruin-restoration or restoration theory postulates a gap of perhaps millions of years followed by a re-creation in verse 2. A strength is attempting to harmonize the geological record with the Bible, with some limited scriptural backing: the Holy Spirit “renewed” the face of the waters (Psalms 104:30) and angels were a previous creation (Job 38:4-7). Some weaknesses are that Romans 5:14 says that death reigned from Adam to Moses, and geologists have difficulty with a 6,000 year old worldwide cataclysm. The gap is pure speculation.
6. A Polemic Theory: A polemic is a hostile attack. Was Genesis 1 an attack upon nature worship showing that God created what people worshipped as gods? A strength of this theory is that ancients did worship nature as many gods. A weakness of this theory is that if this is a polemic, its nature is somewhat disguised.
7. Augustine’s Allegory Theory: Augustine and others taught that Genesis was a creation allegory. A strength of that idea is that it could explain some of the internal puzzles. A weakness of that argument could be Jesus’ acknowledgement that from the beginning God made them male and female (Mark 10:6). Many Christians have also interpreted Genesis as history.
8. Majestic Prose: Another theory is that Genesis is stylized history (the original meaning of the word myth), majestic prose, elevated prose, or a festive overture. Some strengths of this view are poetic parts in days 1,2,3 parallel to days 4,5,6 though it is mostly prose, and stylistic use of the number 7. A weakness is if it was stylized prose, then many people throughout history have missed that point.
9. Intelligent Design (The Teleological Argument): Intelligent design challenges science as deliberately ignoring God. Scientists ignore their own forensic scientific methods when it comes to the existence of God. One strength of this teleological argument (evidence of design in nature) is that it is older than Socrates’ term “nous” (νοῦς, divine “intelligence”) and Plato’s “creationist manifesto”. A fine-tuned universe demands a tuner. Natural selection has great difficulty explaining irreducible complexity without a designer. Even specified complexity such as in DNA is hard to explain without a designer.
There are some weaknesses in the intelligent design movement. Some Christians believe that intelligent design reduces God to a mere engineer. Many intelligent design proponents avoid including the Bible in their arguments. Many scientists reject intelligent design as not able to be tested empirically. Scientists complain of discrimination which excludes opinions of those who believe in intelligent design.
Creation Lessons
In Job 38-42 God presents the ultimate forensic challenge. It is a teleological (intelligent design) masterpiece. Where were we when God made the universe! Who is puny man to tell anyone how God created all things!
Psalm 104 expresses God’s love for living creatures.
John 1 presents a different side to the creation story, the Word, who is equal in substance to God (John 10:30; Philippians 2:6), but eternally submits to Him as Father (John 20:17; I Peter 3:21-22), became flesh.
Select verses from Genesis 1-2. God is not His creation. He is not the trees, nor the mountains, nor the sky, nor the sun and moon. He created all those things.
God’s Word is powerful. He simply spoke and all those things came into being. When we read the Bible as God’s Word, it is also powerful in our lives.
God is powerful. We cannot fathom a being who created this incredibly large and complex universe. We easily forget how powerful God is.
Creation is good. Our world is filled with bad things like war, crime, and hate. It is also filled with good things, the things that God created. Get out into creation as much as possible and wonder. Creation is God’s goodness made glaringly obvious to us.
In creating a day of rest, God teaches us wisdom. Rather than continually rushing around working ourselves to a frazzle, take time out to rest and meditate on the work that is finished.
God created male and female as equals, in His image (Genesis 1:27), but for different purposes. We are happiest when we do what we were created for. When we abuse each other or confuse roles, we ruin our families and weaken our churches. The answer is not rejecting God’s created intent for men and women, nor rejecting the authority of Holy Scripture, but returning to it.
Postlude
What are some secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? What are some forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Creation provides abundant evidence for God. God is not His creation. God’s Word is powerful. God is powerful. Creation is good. A day of rest is good. Men and women are equals before God but created for different roles.
Genesis 1-2; Psalms 104:30; Job 38:4-7; Romans 5:14; Genesis 2:4; Mark 10:6; Job 38-42; Psalm 104; John 1; John 10:30; Philippians 2:6; John 20:17; I Peter 3:21-22; Genesis 1:27
Kass, Leon R. The Beginning of Wisdom, University Of Chicago Press. 2006. 27.
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Senior Saints
Prelude
What can we learn from senior saints in our midst? How many have lived just and devout lives? How many seniors have been faithful despite life’s suffering?
Purpose: Let’s learn from the examples of elderly saints.
Plan: Let’s look at the examples of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:22-40.
Elderly
God commanded that we respect the elderly. An early command in Leviticus 19:32 says, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” Proverbs 16:31 says, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.” Job 12:12 says, “Wisdom is with aged men, And with length of days, understanding.” Isaiah 46:4 promises Israel, “Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
Luke 2:25-35 Simeon
In Luke 2:25-35 we read of aged Simeon “waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” He took Jesus into his arms and spoke the nunc dimittis (now you dismiss), which is used for evensong, and prophesied to Mary, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Simeon, a “just and devout” man greeted Jesus in the Temple. Joseph and Mary made an offering (Leviticus 12:6-8). A poor family like theirs offered a “pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” as a purification rite. Simeon had received a premonition from the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. The Spirit guided him to the Christ child. Taking him up in his arms, he uttered prophetic words which have become part of our liturgy. Simeon is connected with untrustworthy legends. Was he the son of Hillel and the father of Gamaliel mentioned in Acts 5:34? Were his sons Charinus and Leucius?
Simeon (Orthodox Church in America)
Simeon is called the God-Receiver. Ancient historians tell us that the Egyptian pharaoh invited Simeon among seventy scholars to translate the Scriptures into Greek, “The Septuagint.” While translating Isaiah 7:14, he thought to translate “virgin” as “woman.” An angel stopped him saying, “You shall not die until you behold Christ the Lord born of a pure and spotless Virgin.” Simeon then lived in expectation of the Messiah. The Holy Spirit, led him to the Temple. “The Greek Anthology” quotes Mary referring to her Son as “older than ancient Adam.” The holy righteous Simeon the God-Receiver died at a great age. His remains were transferred to Constantinople in the sixth century.
Luke 2:36-40 Anna
In Luke 2:36-40 we read of aged Anna, “who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Having never remarried, she spent decades as a widow worshiping God daily in the Temple. She was a prophetess of the tribe of Asher, with its homeland around Galilee. So, even though some Jews denied that a prophet could come from Galilee (John 7:52) Anna did, and so did Jonah, Nahum, Hosea, Elijah and Elisha. While some attend a church and eventually quit, Anna did not. She endured in her zeal. She didn’t just believe Messiah would come, but “looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Anna (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Anna is an aged prophetess of the tribe of Asher. Legend says she had tutored Mary in the Temple. This highlights her special holy use by God in the life of Christ’s mother. Anna had lost her husband after only seven years of marriage and had never remarried. Anna devoted many decades of her life to the service of God in the Temple. She seems to be a model of the expectations of a widow in I Timothy 5:5-9. Because she spent so much of her time in the Temple, her presence at the presentation of Jesus is natural. She gave thanks to God and spoke of Him to others.
Anna (Orthodox Church in America)
Orthodox Christians celebrate the Great Feast of the Meeting of the Lord on February 2, remembering Simeon and Anna meeting the infant Christ. Perhaps having no children left tremendous sorrow in Anna’s heart. She turned her pain into prayer, making it an offering to God, pouring out her heart to the Lord (Psalm 51:17). Damaged by life we can feel hopeless. Pouring out her anguish to God she trusted that there was hope. We too can discover what Anna found (Psalm 25:14). Ancient prophets clung to God in fasting and prayer, and He told them His secrets as a friend. Anna shared the Word of the Lord with others.
Postlude
Let’s learn from senior saints in our midst. Let’s follow the example of those who have lived just and devout lives. Let’s learn to be faithful despite life’s suffering.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Luke 2:22-40; Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31; Job 12:12; Isaiah 46:4; Leviticus 12:6-8; Isaiah 7:14; John 7:52; I Timothy 5:5-9; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 25:14
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