Lesson 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of Genesis? Identify “toledot”and its role in the structuring of Genesis.

Answer 1

I. The Purpose of Genesis
A. Genesis was written to show that Israel’s God is the sovereign Creator whose purpose to establish his covenant rule will not be hindered by the sinfulness of humanity
B. The material in Gen 1-11 focuses on the sinfulness of man and paves the way for the covenant promises made to Abraham

**B.	The meaning of the toledot: from the verb yalad (יָלָד)**
     C.	The formula is commonly used to introduce a list of descendants (Num 3:1; Ruth 4:18)

D. The function of toledot
1. A heading for what follows
a. It is usually followed by the name of a person who is important in the
historical account or is an ancestor of a significant person
b. Ancestor // narrative
c. Important character // genealogy
2. A hinge device
3. A restricting effect

Question 2

What is the meaning of “tohu wabohu” in Genesis 1? How is it used in other passages of Scripture?
What message would the creation account communicate to the original readers of Genesis 1?

Answer 2

What is the meaning of “tohu wabohu” in Genesis 1?
1. Formless & empty: “tōhû wabohû” (תֹהוּ וַבֹהוּ)

How is it used in other passages of Scripture?
a. “Formless” (tohu): “in a desert land he found him, in a barren land and howling waste (tohu)” (Deut 32:10)
b. “Empty” (bohu): “he did not create it to be empty (bohu), but formed it to be inhabited” (Isa 45:18)

**What message would the creation account communicate to the original readers of Genesis 1 ? **

     1.	God as the majestic, sovereign Creator
              a.	God is mentioned thirty-seven times
              b.	The use of Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) as an intensive plural
      2.	The creation account as a polemic against the false gods of the ANE
             a.	Opposition to astral worship in the creation of lesser and greater types of light
             b.	Different conceptions of God
                   i.	Yahweh is the ultimate power with no rivals vs. gods waging war for power
                  ii.	Yahweh the God of justice vs. gods who are unpredictable

Question 3

What is the theme of Genesis 1-11?

Answer 3

Although God has created the world for the benefit of humanity, people continue to rebel against God’s authority, which leads to judgment.
1. Creation
2. Rebellion
3. Judgment

Question 4

What questions have been raised over the doctrine of human dominon over creation? What is the
best way to answer those questions?

Answer 4

What questions have been raised over the doctrine of human dominon over creation?
a. “The Historical Roots of our Ecological Crisis,” Lynn White, Jr. (1970)
i. Pre-Christian world was animistic where everything had a spirit
ii. The victory of Christianity over paganism established a dualism, exploitation, and an attitude of superiority over nature
iii. Reject the Christian axiom of dominion over creation
b. Four views on Man-Creation dominion
iv. Those that disregard their impact on creation
v. Alarmist view which rejects Biblical dominion
vi. Scriptural with alarmist tendencies
1. Example: Evangelical Climate Initative
vii. Scriptural Conservatism—Balanced view of dominion
1. Treat the environment properly and solutions should come from local solutions and not government intervention.

What is the best way to answer those questions?

1. Problem with Alarmist position:  The work that God has given mankind to do, is what is distroying the earth.
2. SHould have a balanced view of environment and mankinds care for creation.
3. Barr - liberal humanism is more to blame than Christians that would answer to God.
4. Solution is not to reject dominion but have an appopriate view of dominion
          A. Dominion   Subdue and Rule
					B. We are viceregents with God under the authority of God
					C. Humans have a special place in God's creation.