IST Unit 1: Beginning of the Human Race Flashcards
“Genesis” name origin
Hebrew, Bereshith
means “in the beginning”
…
the English word comes from the Greek translation called the Septuagint; “origin or beginnings”
Why is Genesis considered part of the Law?
the book serves as an introduction and foundation for the moral and legal codes of the Law and also for the history and doctrines in the rest of the Bible.
(gives the historical foundations for moral and legal codes)
The close relationship of Genesis and the NT is due to the fact that in Genesis we find…
1
an intro to the main NT themes
2
the NT writers quoting Moses
3
the general history of humankind continued in the NT
4
NT references for specific situations
1
an intro to the main NT themes
4 evidences for Mosaic authorship of Genesis
1) biblical references
2) the narrative style
3) the discoveries of archaeology
4) Moses’ qualifications
What is the Documentary (JEDP) Theory? (brief overview and purpose)
in regards to the authorship of Genesis, by Jean Astruc 1753
- he reasons that Moses had woven together material from 2 documents by different authors to make Genesis (J & E)
4 parts of the Documentary (JEDP) theory?
J - for Jehovah, passages using this are from the J document
E - for Elohim, passages using this are from the E document
D - for Deuteronomy, which is considered to be a fraud
P - for Priestly Source, which is supposed to have been written during the Babylonian captivity and contain the passages about the levitical priesthood
Some indications available today which show the fallacy of the documentary theory are….
1
historical events, supernatural events, and religious evolution
2
archaeology, terminology, customs, and monuments
3
comparison of biblical wording, monotheistic doctrine, and customs
4
finding international treaties dating to 621 BC, unified documents, and monuments
2
4 so-called proofs of the Documentary Theory
1) 2 names for God (Elohim & Yahweh/Jehovah)
2) duplicate accounts
3) seeming conflicts in accounts
4) differences in literary style
Christian response to Documentary Theory’s issue w 2 names for God
Title, personal name
together, interchange
christian response to Documentary theory’s issue with duplicate accounts
this is the Hebrew literary style (first is general, second has more detail)
Christian response to Documentary theory’s conflicting accounts issue
they’re separate events, a tendency to repeat our past sins
Christian response to Documentary theory’s issue with different literary styles
style to suit subject (history, law, speech)
2 purposes for Genesis. Genesis purposes to give us…
1) God’s dealings with humankind in the origin of the universe, humankind, sin, and redemption
2) the origin of a people through whom God would send a Redeemer to the world
Theme of the whole Bible
Theme of Genesis
Theme of whole Bible: the redemption of humanity
theme of Genesis: God initiates redemption’s program by choosing a people for Himself.
structure of Genesis
Ch 1-11 Primeval History
- refers to the first age of the earth’s existence
- presents the need for redemption
Ch 12-50 Patriarchal History
- refers to the patriarchs, the fathers of the Jewish people
- general history is now narrowed down to the story of a single family
Fill in the Structure of Genesis:
Ch 1-2 _____
Ch 3-8 _____
Ch 9-11 _____
Ch 12-25 _____
Ch 25-36 _____
Ch 37-50 _____
Ch 1-2 _____ Creation
Ch 3-8 _____ Fall to Flood
Ch 9-11 ____ Flood to Nations
Ch 12-25 ____ Abraham
Ch 25-36 ____ Isaac & Jacob
Ch 37-50 ____ Joseph
Science should limit itself to describing…
the products of creation
or
a process that is observable and repeatable
The Bible limits itself to describing…
the origin, purpose, and cause of creation (not the how)
There are several areas of conflict between science and the Genesis account of Creation, but the main point of difference is the…
1
language used to describe creation
2
genealogical line of succession recorded
3
Darwinian theory of evolution
4
age of the earth and humankind
4
Creation: The Traditional View
literal 24-hour days
Creation: Gap (Re-creation) Theory
re-creation in 6 literal 24-hour days (original creation was destroyed when Satan and his angels rebelled)
Creation: Theistic Evolution Theory
interprets Genesis ‘ use of “day” figuratively.
God used evolution to gradually develop humans. At a certain point, the human animal was given a soul & became fully human
Creation: Pictorial Day Theory
6 day revelation of creation by God (purpose of Genesis was simply to show the universe had its origin in God)
Creation: Universal Flood Theory
six literal 24-hour days
flood produced geological phenomena
Creation: Alternate-Day-Age Theory
six 24-hr days (or short periods of time) separated by ages
Creation: Age-Long-Day Theory (aka Progressive Creation Theory)
6 long periods of creation (day as a word that refers to a period of time during which some event takes place)
Accepting any of the theories of creation must be a matter of….
faith
One area of agreement between modern science and the Bible is…
1
that humankind was a separate creation
2
the precreation condition and order of events that occurred
3
in the theory of light and darkness
4
the poetic writings, which covered all aspects of creation
2
2 ways in which the theory of evolution has failed
as a science, it lacks evidence to prove it.
as a philosophy, it cannot account for the origin of life or show the purpose of humankind.
What is the greatest revelation of Genesis 1?
There is a God, and through Him all things came into being.
Which of these statements are TRUE based on Genesis 1?
1
The greatest revelation of Genesis 1 is that there is a God who created everything.
2
We get the impression that Creation means to remake something that was already in existence.
3
Genesis 1:20 refers to the waters producing creatures to live therein.
4
In Genesis 1:25 we can see a relationship to the theory of evolution.
5
The word God occurs more often than any other word in Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3.
6
Genesis 1:1 appears to be a summary of the whole account of creation.
1, 5, 6
Genesis 1:1 is the answer to what worldviews?
all of them
When referring to the acts of God, as seen in the Creation story, we give Him the general title of…
Elohim
the crowning work of God, as seen in Genesis Chapter 1, is …
the creation of humankind
Three characteristics of God are listed as…
1
spiritual, progressive, and moral
2
orderly, purposeful, and progressive
3
rational, moral, and masterful
4
spiritual, orderly, and responsible
2
Which statements are TRUE?
1
Genesis 1:4 indicates the acceptability of fortune-telling.
2
Every step in the Creation conformed to God’s plan.
3
Genesis 1:26 clearly shows that God is one being, not triune.
4
Each stage of creation had its boundaries in the concept of evening and morning
5
The governing power given in Genesis 1:16 indicates power to control the destiny of humanity.
2, 4
God’s personal name, Yahweh, refers to…
1
the eternal Lord
2
His creative power
3
the triune God
4
God’s provision to all His creation
1
Which statements are TRUE?
1
In Genesis chapter 2 the Hebrew term for God is Elohim.
2
Jehovah is one way of writing God’s personal name.
3
The basic emphasis of Yahweh is God’s relationship to humanity.
4
The same word for God is used in all Bible translations.
5
Because the original Hebrew is specific in its spelling we can be sure of the exact translation of the name Yahweh.
2, 3
We can learn much about our ___, ___, and ___ from Genesis 1-3.
nature, needs, and responsibilities
Critics claim the Hebrew religion developed through…
1
historical records of Assyrian religious beliefs
2
adjusting polytheistic beliefs to suit their own purposes
3
integration of various religions in the area
4
myths and symbols of religion during that time
3
The Genesis account of the creation of humanity shows…
1
the purpose and special care of God for humanity
2
Adam and Eve as symbols of the creative proccess
3
doctrines similar to polytheism
4
the application of spiritual events to natural causes
1
The creation account shows us what 3 aspects of humanity’s unique status?
1) humanity’s dignity
2) humanity’s authority
3) God’s concern for humanity’s need
How are we made in God’s image?
1) we are spiritual creatures, as well as physical.
2) we are moral beings with the capacity to choose.
3) we are rational creatures capable of thought, imagination, reason and speech.
4) We are active, responsible creatures who can do purposeful work and plan actions and overcome obstacles..
5) We are creative beings with an appreciation of beauty, order, and progress, and the urge to create them.
6) We are lordly beings to whom God has given dominion over the earth and its creatures.
What is a great purpose of God in His human creatures?
the complete restoration of His image in us
The statement “created in the image of God” means we are…
1
physical, creative, and purposeful
2
restored, privileged, and progressive
3
created with godly instincts and are conscientious
4
spiritual, rational, and responsible
4
The word “bara” used in Genesis 1:27 emphasizes that…
1
God made humankind out of existing material
2
humans are one of the species mentioned in 1:21
3
God was making something new and different
4
God followed His usual method of creation
3
God rested the 7th day in the sense that He…
1
stopped all activity
2
relaxed to renew His strength
3
stopped creating - that work was finished
4
rested to give rest to His creation
3
Which of these are TRUE concepts?
1
The biblical concept of the body is the same as the ancient Greek concept.
2
Humanity’s environment is primarily concerned with earth now and heaven later.
3
The God-related spirit is the basis for communion and worship.
4
The body is the prison of the soul.
5
The word “flesh” in the NT sometimes refers to our sinful nature.
6
The NT emphasis of healing and resurrection confirms the OT view of the body.
7
The first man was led by instinct and was on the same level as the higher animals.
8
Although we are composed of both a spiritual and physical nature, no opportunity is made for using this dual nature.
3, 5, 6
2 reasons why God includes details about the rivers, minerals, and fruit trees in Eden
to show the historical nature of the account and
that God delights in providing for His children
1 evidence that Adam and Eve were real people - not just a myth
genealogies going back to Adam.
mention of them as real people by Jesus and Paul.
geographical details about the Garden of Eden.
Which statements are TRUE?
1
Our responsibility for earth’s natural resources is to develop and use them wisely.
2
God does not require the Christian to work because He has promised to supply all our needs.
3
Work is part of the curse put upon humanity at the Fall.
4
The geographical details in Genesis 2 are simply historical records.
5
We are responsible for working to meet our material needs, but we can also look to God for help.
1, 5
the 3 divine aims of marriage are what?
companionship,
mutual love and support,
family formation