Beginning
with Moses and the Prophets
with Moses and the Prophets
Part V
- Creation of the World - Foundation of Foundations
- Creation of the World - Foundation of Foundations
Genesis
1: 3 - 13; Philippians 1: 6
1: 3 - 13; Philippians 1: 6
Introduction
Throughout
the centuries Christians that have held firmly that the Holy Scripture is
inerrant & true have differed over the interpretation of the six days of
creation.
the centuries Christians that have held firmly that the Holy Scripture is
inerrant & true have differed over the interpretation of the six days of
creation.
We’re not presenting a doctoral level dissertation but
only taking a look at what is written & what differing views have been
given & allow the Holy Spirit to guide each of as we go along here.
only taking a look at what is written & what differing views have been
given & allow the Holy Spirit to guide each of as we go along here.
Now, a for me, I want to say that I don’t believe that
one’s salvation depends on whether the universe, the galaxies, our solar
system, our earth, sun & moon were formed in six literal days of
twenty-four hours, that is solar-days, or that the creation actions were not
limited to the 144 hours of creation week. We cannot be dogmatic!
one’s salvation depends on whether the universe, the galaxies, our solar
system, our earth, sun & moon were formed in six literal days of
twenty-four hours, that is solar-days, or that the creation actions were not
limited to the 144 hours of creation week. We cannot be dogmatic!
There are those those who believe that creation took
place in six twenty-four hour solar days, or six full rotations of the planet;
they include John Calvin, (though Warfield commented that Calvin was open to
other views(, & Louis Berkhoff --
place in six twenty-four hour solar days, or six full rotations of the planet;
they include John Calvin, (though Warfield commented that Calvin was open to
other views(, & Louis Berkhoff --
Other great theologian have believed that Genesis did not
limit God to 144 hours of creating action - These include St. Augustine, Thomas
Aquinas, the puritan William Ames, the defender of Orthodoxy Charles Hodges,
B.B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, & Frances Schaffer, among others.
limit God to 144 hours of creating action - These include St. Augustine, Thomas
Aquinas, the puritan William Ames, the defender of Orthodoxy Charles Hodges,
B.B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, & Frances Schaffer, among others.
It’s a pretty well established fact that godly, Scripture
loving people who have given their lives to God’s Word, have differed over the
opening verses of the Bible.
loving people who have given their lives to God’s Word, have differed over the
opening verses of the Bible.
What they haven’t differed on is the spoken, breathe of
truth of His Word, the accounts of Genesis being factual & historical. They
have not disagreed on the historicity of Adam & Eve as special creations of
God & the truth of the fall.
truth of His Word, the accounts of Genesis being factual & historical. They
have not disagreed on the historicity of Adam & Eve as special creations of
God & the truth of the fall.
Kent Hughes comments that this, the disagreeing, should
“give pause”, that is we should stop and think when making a particular view on
creation as a “litmus test” for orthodoxy. Much like making “irresistible
grace” or”election” a litmus test.
“give pause”, that is we should stop and think when making a particular view on
creation as a “litmus test” for orthodoxy. Much like making “irresistible
grace” or”election” a litmus test.
Different Views
There are at least six views on the six days of creation
-
-
1-The 24 hour solar day
view - Creation took 144 hours to complete;
view - Creation took 144 hours to complete;
2- Punctuated activity
view - (The activity of the 24 hour days were separated by indefinite periods);
view - (The activity of the 24 hour days were separated by indefinite periods);
3- Gap View- There is a
gap between verses 1 & 2 when there was a primeval rebellion - Satan fell
& then everything was destroyed and therefore the creation week is the
remaking of the earth after the rebellion;
gap between verses 1 & 2 when there was a primeval rebellion - Satan fell
& then everything was destroyed and therefore the creation week is the
remaking of the earth after the rebellion;
4-Day age view - the
days correspond to geological ages;
days correspond to geological ages;
5- The framework view -
the “days” are actually a literary structuring device to convey the truth of
creation, not actual days;
the “days” are actually a literary structuring device to convey the truth of
creation, not actual days;
6- Last, the Analogical
view - The days are God’s work day, (no limitations on time,
view - The days are God’s work day, (no limitations on time,
Only one of these can be correct. But when one is seeking
& holding to a specific view, that individual needs to display a noble
generosity, be magnanimous, & disdain pettiness -
& holding to a specific view, that individual needs to display a noble
generosity, be magnanimous, & disdain pettiness -
A good model for this is on how one holds the view
concerning the millenium.
concerning the millenium.
Some are pre-millennial; some are post-millennial; and
some a-millennials. And some like to say they’re pan-millennials that is it’s
all going to pan out in the end.
some a-millennials. And some like to say they’re pan-millennials that is it’s
all going to pan out in the end.
People can differ over the timing issues & still
believe the Bible is entirely true -
believe the Bible is entirely true -
Moses’ Intent
How did Moses’ hearers understand the days of creation as
he read to them the account?
he read to them the account?
They didn’t take it as a
myth. His account was an aggressive attack against the pagan mythologies of the
surrounding nations, not to mention the stories they heard while in Egypt for
about four hundred years.
myth. His account was an aggressive attack against the pagan mythologies of the
surrounding nations, not to mention the stories they heard while in Egypt for
about four hundred years.
It could have been
possible they understood Moses describing creation having occurred in six
24-hour days. Genesis can be interpreted as such.
possible they understood Moses describing creation having occurred in six
24-hour days. Genesis can be interpreted as such.
Preacher, commentator,
theologian Kent Hughes thinks the six days of creation are actually God’s days.
The six days of creation are not identical to ours but are comparable.
theologian Kent Hughes thinks the six days of creation are actually God’s days.
The six days of creation are not identical to ours but are comparable.
The six days aren’t
solar days but God’s days because:
solar days but God’s days because:
1). The first three days
couldn't have been solar, the moon and the sun were made on the fourth-day;
couldn't have been solar, the moon and the sun were made on the fourth-day;
2). &, the
seventh day has no end. The phrase “and there was evening & there was
morning” doesn’t appear with day seven. (see Gen. 2: 2,3).
seventh day has no end. The phrase “and there was evening & there was
morning” doesn’t appear with day seven. (see Gen. 2: 2,3).
The ones who hold that
the word “day” must be a 24 hour day say so by arguing that every place in
Scripture that the word “day” (yom) is used with a designate number is a solar
day. But then the basic rule of biblical, in fact any interpretation, Spanish
to English and vice versa, etc. is being ignored, the context must determine
the word’s meaning.
the word “day” must be a 24 hour day say so by arguing that every place in
Scripture that the word “day” (yom) is used with a designate number is a solar
day. But then the basic rule of biblical, in fact any interpretation, Spanish
to English and vice versa, etc. is being ignored, the context must determine
the word’s meaning.
Just a little side note.
I am certified by the Panamanian Government and registered by the U.S.
Consulate there as a Legal Translator & Interpreter. During my two year
study for testing, I learned that “context” determines the interpretation of a
legal document.
I am certified by the Panamanian Government and registered by the U.S.
Consulate there as a Legal Translator & Interpreter. During my two year
study for testing, I learned that “context” determines the interpretation of a
legal document.
So, when a word as ‘yom’
(day) appears in a text ( a word that has a wide range of meaning) the context
then determines the word’s meaning. The immediate context, the seventh day is
not a 24 hour day. The preceding six days have to be similarly understood.
(day) appears in a text ( a word that has a wide range of meaning) the context
then determines the word’s meaning. The immediate context, the seventh day is
not a 24 hour day. The preceding six days have to be similarly understood.
So it seems as a matter
of fact that God is still i the seventh day, the day of rest. He has been so
since the creation of the world.
of fact that God is still i the seventh day, the day of rest. He has been so
since the creation of the world.
The writer of Hebrews
bases his whole argument regarding God’s people entering the rest by faith on
the fact that God is still resting, though also at work, “For only we who
believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an
oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been
ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in
the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God
rested from all his work.” 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will
never enter my place of rest.” 6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter,
but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed
God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today.
God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today
when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”
bases his whole argument regarding God’s people entering the rest by faith on
the fact that God is still resting, though also at work, “For only we who
believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an
oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been
ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in
the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God
rested from all his work.” 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will
never enter my place of rest.” 6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter,
but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed
God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today.
God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today
when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”
8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would
not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a
special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered
into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating
the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God,
as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4: 3-11; compare Psalm 95:11).
not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a
special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered
into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating
the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God,
as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4: 3-11; compare Psalm 95:11).
Genesis 1 is
history, the literal history of what God did when He created the heavens &
the earth. He did it in six of His days. He did in the order described. Genesis
is the majestic telling of what God did in time & space.
history, the literal history of what God did when He created the heavens &
the earth. He did it in six of His days. He did in the order described. Genesis
is the majestic telling of what God did in time & space.
Day One
The first three
days resolve the fact that “the earth was without form”. Thi formless world was
covered with primeval sea and floating in space, just like a lump of clay on
the potter’s table. The Spirit of God was floating, hovering, fluttering over
the dark waters in anticipation.
days resolve the fact that “the earth was without form”. Thi formless world was
covered with primeval sea and floating in space, just like a lump of clay on
the potter’s table. The Spirit of God was floating, hovering, fluttering over
the dark waters in anticipation.
The Tool
His only tool was
His Word, the revelation of His will, His Speech; And God said; His
Speech, that’s it, nothing more, nothing less -
His Word, the revelation of His will, His Speech; And God said; His
Speech, that’s it, nothing more, nothing less -
Creating
everything through His word, God’s thought shaped itself exactly to the last
cell & atom. The vast universe shaped by His thought & will, just as
each of the trillions of cells in our body, each cell’s nucleus containing a
coded data base that is larger in information content than all the volumes of
the Encyclopedia Britannica. -
everything through His word, God’s thought shaped itself exactly to the last
cell & atom. The vast universe shaped by His thought & will, just as
each of the trillions of cells in our body, each cell’s nucleus containing a
coded data base that is larger in information content than all the volumes of
the Encyclopedia Britannica. -
Think of His knowledge and ability in the willing of creation - He
does it all so easily.
does it all so easily.
C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia, tries to capture God’s
ease & joy in creation.
ease & joy in creation.
“Aslan’s mouth is wide open in song, as he sings, the color green
forms at his feet & spreads out in a pool - Flowers appear on the hillside
and move out before him. As the tempo of the music picks up, showers of birds
fly out of a tree, & butterflies begin to flit about. Then comes great
celebration as the song breaks into even wilder song.” From Job 38:7, When
the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Wouldn’t ya have wanted to be there to see it all?
forms at his feet & spreads out in a pool - Flowers appear on the hillside
and move out before him. As the tempo of the music picks up, showers of birds
fly out of a tree, & butterflies begin to flit about. Then comes great
celebration as the song breaks into even wilder song.” From Job 38:7, When
the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Wouldn’t ya have wanted to be there to see it all?
Christ the Creator
Jesus the light
was present when creation was spoken into existence. John’s Gospel is explicit,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. 2 He was in the beginning with
God. 3 All things came into being through
Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light
of men. (1:1-4)
was present when creation was spoken into existence. John’s Gospel is explicit,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. 2 He was in the beginning with
God. 3 All things came into being through
Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light
of men. (1:1-4)
Nothing was made
without Jesus Christ; Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 8:6, for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom
are all things and we exist for Him; and
one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. Also in Colossians 1:16 - by Him all
things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been
created through Him and for Him. And we hear the twenty-four elders in
Revelation 4:11 as they cast down their crowns before Him, Jesus Christ, “Worthy
are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You
created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
without Jesus Christ; Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 8:6, for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom
are all things and we exist for Him; and
one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. Also in Colossians 1:16 - by Him all
things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been
created through Him and for Him. And we hear the twenty-four elders in
Revelation 4:11 as they cast down their crowns before Him, Jesus Christ, “Worthy
are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You
created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Christ Bring Order
The
grand point is that Christ is the light, Jesus Christ the Creator, He is the
One who brings, He makes order out of chaos, out of the dark chaos of our lives
- He brings form to the chaos. If your life is dark, desolate; let me tell you
that I come across some who are such a state, making themselves victims at
every whim, they have no light in their life, just darkness, they see no hope,
they have no hope - There is -
grand point is that Christ is the light, Jesus Christ the Creator, He is the
One who brings, He makes order out of chaos, out of the dark chaos of our lives
- He brings form to the chaos. If your life is dark, desolate; let me tell you
that I come across some who are such a state, making themselves victims at
every whim, they have no light in their life, just darkness, they see no hope,
they have no hope - There is -
The
very same power that flung the stars out into the unfathomable expanding
universe while at the same time orchestrating life in the irreducible
complexity of the cells of your body - one single cell which is composed of a lot of interacting parts,
and where the removal of any one of the parts causes the system, that cell, to
cease functioning - He will act of your behalf if you come to Him. He will
bring order to the chaos with just a word.
very same power that flung the stars out into the unfathomable expanding
universe while at the same time orchestrating life in the irreducible
complexity of the cells of your body - one single cell which is composed of a lot of interacting parts,
and where the removal of any one of the parts causes the system, that cell, to
cease functioning - He will act of your behalf if you come to Him. He will
bring order to the chaos with just a word.
He
is not only the light, the Creator, & the Son of God - He is the Savior
of the world. The very one who created the fleeing constellations, who
orders every cell, who sustains every atom, came and died on the cross for your
sins.
is not only the light, the Creator, & the Son of God - He is the Savior
of the world. The very one who created the fleeing constellations, who
orders every cell, who sustains every atom, came and died on the cross for your
sins.
This
One will save you. He can bring a genesis, a beginning,
that is what He came to do!!
One will save you. He can bring a genesis, a beginning,
that is what He came to do!!
Maybe
you have never understood this before. That’s okay, just know that there is
hope for you, there is hope for everyone. There is creation power that can
recreate your life. And as Paul wrote to the Philippians that what He does in
you He will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus, (1:6), when we will be fully sanctified and glorified and
be with Him forever without end.
you have never understood this before. That’s okay, just know that there is
hope for you, there is hope for everyone. There is creation power that can
recreate your life. And as Paul wrote to the Philippians that what He does in
you He will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus, (1:6), when we will be fully sanctified and glorified and
be with Him forever without end.
There
is eternal life that will turn that midnight of your life into dawn &
daylight & life & spring. That which is born of the flesh is
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that
I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ . . . the Son of Man be lifted up; so
that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. (John 3). . . if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold,
new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
is eternal life that will turn that midnight of your life into dawn &
daylight & life & spring. That which is born of the flesh is
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that
I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ . . . the Son of Man be lifted up; so
that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. (John 3). . . if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold,
new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This
is our God. He gives form. He orders life. And buddy, He will do it for you!!
is our God. He gives form. He orders life. And buddy, He will do it for you!!
