The written Word of God\, conveying its pow erful message of creation\, redemption\, and the promise of eternal life w ith God\, has always faced challenges from the secular world and the unsee n forces of darkness that influence it. However\, God has laid out an exce llent plan of salvation and everlasting joy for all who respond to His cal l\, trust in His Word\, and accept His incarnate Son as their Savior and L ord.
\nGenesis - The Book of Beginnings
\nThe Book of Genesis is the most important book in the world\, as it serves as the foundation f or all other 65 books of God's written Word. Genesis emphasizes the unmeri ted grace of God. In the creation of the world\, grace displays itself in the excellent provision that God makes for His creatures. In the creation of man\, the grace of God is represented as bestowing even God-likeness up on him. God's grace is in evidence even in the flood. Abraham is chosen no t because he is worthy but because God is gracious. In all His dealings wi th the patriarchs\, God displays great mercy\; they always receive far mor e favor than any one of them could deserve.
\nAnother essential feat ure of Genesis should be carefully analyzed - it effectively answers our q uestions about origins. We will always want to know how the world as a who le came into being. We will also want to understand how humans originated. Furthermore\, we feel rather painfully that a major disorder has come upo n the world and would like to understand its nature. In short\, we are con cerned to grasp how sin and all its dire consequences came about. We must understand if a basic and certain hope of redemption exists for this world and its inhabitants\, what that hope is\, and how it came to humanity.
\nAll the great doctrines of Christianity - sin\, atonement\, grace\, redemption\, faith\, justification\, salvation\, and many others - are fir st encountered in Genesis. Since the only alternative to creation is evolu tion\, these attacks are all ultimately based on evolutionism\, the assump tion that this complex universe can somehow be explained apart from the in finite creative power of God.
\nFor Further Study:
\nRead thro
ugh the book of Genesis.
\nPay attention to any reactions you have wh
ile reading this text.
\nWrite down any questions you have about part
icular passages. (I keep a journal just for Biblical questions I have. I
may not get the answer right away\, but when I do\, I return to my questi
on journal and write the answers I've found.)
\nOutline chapters and
passages. This will help you identify central themes and may aid in unde
rstanding the meaning of a particular verse that appeared difficult at fir
st reading.
\nNote how a passage describes the relationship between G
od and people. Does this call for specific changes in your understanding
s\, attitudes\, or actions?
\nWhat hope does this passage give for yo
ur life this week?