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Is Genesis History?

By Jeremy Myers
8 Comments

Is Genesis History?

I was given access to preview the documentary, Is Genesis History? It is a movie which provides positive, evidence-based arguments for the reliability of the Bible as history. It is showing on February 23 in select theaters, and you can learn more here.

Is Genesis History

No matter what you believe about the Bible or about account of Creation and the Flood, this is a great movie for you to watch. If you believe that much of the Bible is fiction, this documentary will challenge you to consider some facts you might not have encountered before. If you believe the Bible is historically accurate, then this movie will provide you with further evidence to support your view.

Is the Bible True? Of course!

As for myself, I believe the Bible is 100% accurate and true, but (if you have read my blog or listened to my podcast for a while), I have a somewhat different approach to this belief than is commonly taught. For example, in my One Verse Podcast episodes on Genesis 1, I go to great length to show how this creation account was not written to provide a scientifically accurate account of how the world began, and so it is a mistake to read it that way. But this doesn’t mean Genesis 1 is in error. Far from it! Instead, when we understand the point that the author is making, Genesis 1 becomes “more true” than ever before! The critical truths that Genesis 1 is actually teaching are way more important than just to provide an historical account of how the world began.

Is Genesis History?

Anyway … this is not really the point of the documentary, “Is Genesis History?” The point of this documentary is more focused on events in the Bible like the flood account of Genesis 6-8. And on this event, I agree that what we have in the Bible is historically accurate.

Now, personally, I don’t care too much if someone reads Genesis as literal history or as literal theology. It is true either way.

What does bother me, however, is when someone rejects the historic reliability of Genesis based on “scientific evidence.” As much as I love and value science, I sometimes find that scientific evidence is based on cherry-picking scientific facts to prove a pre-determined scientific conclusion.

What about the Flood?

The flood is the perfect example. Many reject the historicity of a worldwide flood based on questionable scientific presuppositions. For example, the idea that there is not enough water on earth to cover all the mountains of the earth ignores the possibility that maybe not all the mountains of the earth were always as high as they are now, nor the oceans as deep. Scientists have pointed out that if all the mountains were thrown into the sea so that all “land” was of equal altitude, the water of the earth would cover all land by a distance of 1.7 miles. Therefore, we don’t need water high enough to cover Mount Everest, we just need some geological plate shifting so that mountains rise up and ocean floors drop.

Similar arguments can be made about where all the water came from (and where it sent), how Noah and the animals fit in the ark, and other related questions. Places like the Grand Canyon also receive a much simpler explanation than the theory (which is rapidly losing favor) that the Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years by a small trickle of water. Is that what happened? Maybe. Maybe not. But the fact that the Mount Saint Helens canyon, which is hundreds of feet deep, formed over the period of a few weeks in 1980 makes thinking people wonder about the formation of the Grand Canyon. Yes, the Grand Canyon is much deeper and larger, but the water and sediment from a worldwide flood is also much deeper with higher volume.

Look, I am not a scientist, and I don’t claim to be one. I am a theologian. In theological studies, however, I frequently encounter people who read a text of Scripture that seems difficult to them and their preconceived ideas of what should be in the Bible, and when they read these troublesome texts, they jump straight to the conclusion that best fits their current theological system. They say, “It’s an error! This is an error in the text. The Bible is wrong.”

Is Genesis HistoryI have found, however, the most valuable of jewels lie under the hardest of rocks. With some hard work and creative thinking, I have found reasonable explanations for nearly every troublesome text in the Bible. And some of these explanations have led me into new insights and deeper understandings of God, Scripture, Jesus, sin, salvation, and humanity, that I never would have found if I had simply gone with the flow and said, “Oh! An error!”

In Scripture and theological pursuit, those who resort too quickly to “Error in the text” often miss the deepest truths of Scripture.

So also with science. I am not “anti-scientific.” Nor am I a fundamentalist Christian. I want all people to consider all the evidence with an open mind.

Many people have been taught the theory of evolution as the method by which we got the world as we now see it. If that’s you, consider some other lines of evidence as well. Watch “Is Genesis History?” and see what you can learn.

In this documentary, Dr. Del Tackett talks to experts in geology, biology, astronomy, archaeology, the Bible and more—seeking answers to centuries-long questions surrounding the book of Genesis:

  • Was the universe created in six literal days?
  • Did humans evolve?
  • Were Adam and Eve real?
  • Was there a global flood?
  • What happened to the dinosaurs?

“Is Genesis History?” presents a positive, evidenced-based case for the Bible’s historical reliability.

Below is the trailer for you to get an idea of what is in this great documentary. After you watch the trailer, you can learn more about the movie and get tickets here: Is Genesis History: The Movie.

God is Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: apologetics, flood, Genesis

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[#41] Genesis 3:6 – Drawn by Desire

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

[#41] Genesis 3:6 – Drawn by Desire
http://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/269295171-redeeminggod-41-genesis-36-drawn-by-desire.mp3

Eve Eating fruit Genesis 3:6This episode of the One Verse Podcasts look at the third foundational and revolutionary truth from Genesis 2-3. We see it in Genesis 3:6.

This study also considers an important concept from René Girard’s mimetic theory to see how a key concept is found in Genesis 3:6. If you want to learn more about this and how these insights help us understand God, Scripture, theology, current events, politics, and even your very own life, I recommend you get started with my book The Atonement of God.

The Text of Genesis 3:6

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

In this discussion of Genesis 3:6 we look at:

  • Why Genesis 3:6 is the grammatical center of Genesis 2–3
  • The third foundational truth: “Imitation Awakens Desire”
  • How Eve came to desire the forbidden fruit
  • The problem with religious fences is revealed
  • The shocking revelation that Adam was right there with Eve

Resources:

  • Buy The Atonement of God on Amazon
  • Mettinger, The Eden Narrative – Amazon
  • Sailhamer, The Meaning of the Pentateuch – Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis 1–15 – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

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Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Bible study audio, creation, Eve, Genesis, One Verse Podcast, scapegoat, sin

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[#23] Genesis 2:1-3 (Part 2) – Liberating God from the Sabbath Rest

By Jeremy Myers
6 Comments

[#23] Genesis 2:1-3 (Part 2) – Liberating God from the Sabbath Rest
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/241859593-redeeminggod-23-genesis-21-3-part-2-liberating-god-from-the-sabbath-rest.mp3

This is Part 2 of our study of Genesis 2:1-3, which is the seventh day of the creation week and the day on which God rested from His work.

In Part 1, we looked at the text itself and considered various key terms and issues in this text, and also began to show how this text serves as a theological polemic against some of the religions in the days of Moses.

I left you with a cliffhanger at the end of the show, and that is where we pick up in this episode.

This study of Genesis 2:1-3 reveals something regarding the Sabbath which you have likely never heard before. If you listen, you will hear something regarding the Sabbath that will likely liberate you from all the religious rules and regulations you worry about regarding the Sabbath.

This study of Genesis 2:1-3 will liberate you from Sabbath bondage. Your Sabbath observance will be liberated from the shackles of religion, and will be brought back into the way God intended it to be. By the end of today’s show, you will be excited to observe the Sabbath, because you will be invited to observe it as God Himself does.

Enjoy Life Genesis 2:1-3 Sabbath

The Text of Genesis 2:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

In this discussion of Genesis 2:1-3 we look at:

  • How God invited the Israelites to enter into their rest.
  • How the Israelites would have understood God’s rest in Genesis 2:1-3.
  • Why this text is clearly a temple inauguration text.
  • Why God’s rest is not the cessation of activity, but the beginning of real activity
  • How we can participate with God in His restful ruling of this world.

Resources:

  • Heidel, Babylonian Genesis – Amazon
  • Walton, Lost World of Genesis One – Amazon or CBD
  • Theology.fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

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Login here.

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Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

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Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Bible Study, Genesis, Genesis 2:1-3, One Verse Podcast, rest, Sabbath

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[#20] Genesis 1:26 – The Image of God (Part 2)

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

[#20] Genesis 1:26 – The Image of God (Part 2)
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/20_Genesis_1_26b.mp3

image of God Genesis 1 26What does it mean to be made in the image of God? We began to see an answer to this in last week’s episode, and will finish answering this question in this study of Genesis 1:26.

In the previous study of Genesis 1:26, we began to look at what it means to be made in the image of God. We saw that it cannot refer to anything related to the Trinity, or to the popular idea that humans have intellect, emotions, and will. We do have these things, but this is not what it means to be made in the image of God.

I stated that there were four contextual keys about what it means to be made in the image of God, and I shared the first one with you. The first contextual key was the text of Genesis 1 itself. There are seven activities of God in Genesis 1, and in various ways, God instructs humans to engage in all seven of these activities. When we do the works of God, we are living as the image of God on earth.

That was the first contextual key. The next three keys all pretty much reveal the exact same thing, but from different perspectives. So the final three contextual keys which what us understand what it means to be made in the image of God help the support the idea that we have already seen, that you and I are the image of God on earth, and that we live as His image when we act the way God acts.

We look at these three contextual keys in today’s episode of the One Verse Podcast.

The Text of Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

In This Discussion of Genesis 1:26, we look at:

  • What it means to be made in the image of God.
  • The cultural context of Egyptian and Babylonian religion and royalty.
  • The ritual by which ancient priests made images of their gods.
  • The connection between the image of God and the prohibition in the Mosaic Law against making graven images.
  • How Jesus as the perfect image of God shows us how to live as the image of God.
  • Three suggestions for how you can live as the image of God on earth.

Resources:

  • Become a Patron of the One Verse Podcast
  • Gibson, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hasel Article on Genesis 1
  • Hess Article on Genesis 1–2
  • Heidel, Babylonian Genesis – Amazon
  • Johnston Article on Genesis 1
  • Miller and Soden, In the Beginning – Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member

Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: creation, Genesis, Genesis 1:26, image of God, Theology of Jesus, Theology of Man

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When God Pled Guilty Book Update

By Jeremy Myers
9 Comments

When God Pled Guilty Book Update

It has been about three weeks since I published a post on the book I am writing, When God Pled Guilty. 

In case you are wondering, I haven’t forgotten about it!

To the contrary, I have been working on it like mad! And even when I am not studying, researching, reading, and writing on the topic, I am thinking about it. As they say, “A writer is working even when he’s staring out the window.”

So why haven’t I written any posts on the book for three weeks?

It is just that… well… I ran into some snags. Or maybe I should say that I ran into A snag. 

What snag is that?

The biggest snag of all… Scripture!

Ha!

I think many of you were predicting this! And no, I am NOT doing this to my Bible:

When God Pled Guilty

You see, up to this point in When God Pled Guilty, I have only been writing “theological theory.” I built a hypothesis that I wanted to test against Scripture. Though I have been a student of Scripture all my l life, I have always had difficulty with the violent passages in the Bible, and how to reconcile them with the loving portrait of Jesus in the Gospels. I felt that something was amiss, but could never put into words exactly what was wrong. 

[Read more…]

God is Uncategorized Bible & Theology Topics: flood, Genesis, Jesus, Theology of God, When God Pled Guilty

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