Index/Table of Contents
Old Testament
and New Testament
Credits and Copyright
PENTATEUCH
LECTURE 6
CREATION (GEN. 1:1-2:3)
Students will be able to
1. identify the basic theme and general purpose of the books of the Pentateuch.
2. discuss the different views of the days of creation.
Content of Lecture
I. Introductory Material - Pentateuch
A. Definition of "Pentateuch" - The word literally means "five scrolls" and refers to the first five books of the Old Testament:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
B. Other Names Used To Describe These Books
1. The Torah (Law)
2. The Law of Moses
3. The Book of the Law of Moses
4. The Book of Moses
C. Theme and Content
These books trace history from its beginnings to the formation of Israel and its exodus from Egypt.
II. The Initial Act Of Creation (1:1-1:2)
Five things are revealed in this initial act:
1. Time ("In the beginning")
The specific time is not the key - the eternal existence of God is the emphasis.' (TN#1)
2. Identity of the Creator ("God"-Elohim) (TN#2)
"Elohim" is the "generic" term for God in Hebrew and emphasizes the power and creative aspects of God.
3. Act of Creation ("created")
4. Object of Creation ("heavens and the earth")
There is no word for universe in Hebrew.
5. Initial State of Creation
("Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.") Some say these verses are a summary of creation, not an initial act.
III. Days of Creation (1:3-2:3) (TN#3)
A. Day 1 - Creation of Light (1:3-5)
B. Day 2 - Firmament, the space that separates earth from the rest of the universe. (1:6-8)
C. Day 3 - Dry land and water separated (1:9-13)
D. Day 4 - Sun, moon, stars ("lights"). Separated light from darkness. (1:14-19)
E. Day 5 - Water animals and birds (1:20-23)
F. Day 6 - Land animals and man (1:24-31).
vs. 26- "let us make man from their own image" (DQ#4)
Plural form probably refers to one of the following:
1. God's heavenly council - angels, etc.
2. Trinity - God in council with Himself
3. The awesome power of God. (TN#5 )
G. Day 7 - God rested (2:1-3)
Biblical way of expressing divine satisfaction.
Set 7th day apart declaring His Lordship over time.
Primary emphasis of this creation account: GOD created.
IV. Different Views on the Days of Creation
A. Hebrew word translated day (Yom) has three basic meanings:
1. Time of daylight (in contrast to darkness)
2. 24-hour period of time
3. Long period of time
B. Eight theories of the days of creation:
1. Literal 24-Hour Day Theory
Each event of creation refers to day and night which equals one 24-hour day.
2. Age-Day Theory
The six days of creation represent six long periods of time which correspond with the geologic ages as determined by modern science. (Note 2 Peter 3:8)
3. Alternate Age-Day Theory
The six days of creation were six 24-hour periods of special creative activity divided by long periods of time when development and adaptation took place.
4. Progressive Creation Catastrophic Theory
a. Between Gen. 1:1 and 1:2 an indefinite period of time passed during which the geological ages took place. During this time, the prehistoric creatures were created.
b. Around the time of the ice age of 200,000 years ago, a supernatural disaster occurred destroying much of creation and making these animals extinct.
c. Then the six 24-hour days of creation in Genesis 1 occurred. Refers to a re-creation rather than to original creation.
5. Revelation-Day Theory (Pictorial-Day Theory)
Creation took place over millions of years as science has determined, but was revealed to the writer of Genesis as six days.
6. Eden-Only Theory
This theory says that the Genesis account reflects only the creation of the Garden of Eden in six 24-hour periods.
7. Gap Theory
a. On the basis of Gen. 1:1, God created a perfect world.
b. On the basis of Gen. 1:2 ("but the earth became chaos and confusion" - a secondary understanding of the phrase translated "formless and empty" in the NIV) combined with Isaiah 14:12-14, Lucifer (or Satan) was placed in charge of the world and fell.
c. God then judged Lucifer and the earth which he had contaminated.
d. For millions of years, earth was left alone and the geological ages passed.
e. On the basis of Gen. 1:3-2:3, the earth was then re-created in six literal 24-hour days in 4004 B.C.
8. Sacred Week Theory
a. The writer used the concept of a week as a literary vehicle through which to convey the message of creation.
b. Emphasizes that the writer's purpose is theological, not scientific.
c. God always reveals His Truth through that which is known, not through that which is unknown; the Hebrews knew the significance of the week as a unit of work
d. This theory demonstrates that the creation of the world was an easy matter, a mere "week's work" for God.
All of these theories, with the exception of 1 and 8 are attempts to harmonize science and Scripture. (DQ#6)
See reproducible handout at the end of this lecture.
Assignment
Read Genesis 2:4-3:24 and identify consequences of sin.
Read text material covering the Fall of Man.
OUTLINE of Eight Theories of the Days of Creation
| Discussion Questions: What makes Genesis 1-3 such an important passage of Scripture? #4 What likeness did mankind have to God? What is involved in the idea that man was created in the "image of God?" Since the New Testament teaches that God is Spirit John 4:24), physical similarity apparently is not implied. In what sense could mankind be like God in the following?
#6 Do you agree with any of the theories?
|
| Teacher's Notes #1 James Usher, in the 17th century, determined from the biblical genealogies that creation took place in 4004 B.C. J.B. Lightfoot later went on to say that creation took place on October 23, 4004 B.C. at 9:00 a.m.! #2 Four philosophies of life are assaulted in the phrase, "In the beginning, God":
#3 Note the correlations between Days I and 4, Days 2 and 5, and Days 3 and 6. During the first cycle of creation, light, firmament (air and water) and dry land were formed. In the second cycle, things which inhabited those spheres were created, i.e. luminaries (sun and moon) became lights; aquatic, animals and birds inhabited the water and air, while man and animals occupied the earth. #5 Although some would argue that the plural shows a primitive polytheism, Hebrew idiom used the plural to express majesty. |
Resources
Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.
Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.