Why do some people doubt or deny the Genesis record of history?
(Matt. 19:4; Rom. 1:20; Heb. 11:1-40; Jude 1:9-14) Blog May 31-June 06, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The Bible tells the story of the mighty acts of God in dealing with humanity. In this way it shows us how to live now and how to obtain future salvation. Its prophecies tell how God will act in the future and how we should prepare and respond. The Holy Spirit inspired holy men to portray God’s thoughts in human language. While the words are not inerrant in every detail, the thoughts are an infallible guide. For us the Bible is necessary, has absolute authority, is entirely sufficient, and is essentially clear, showing us how to live in this life and how to enter into the next. If we read the Bible in context, regarding its grammar, and comparing Scripture with Scripture, the Holy Spirit will teach us its meaning. The Bible is the oldest and most complete story of how this earth was formed, how a worldwide flood occurred, and how earth’s various nations came into existence.
World History (1 Sam. 17:43-50; 2 Kings 19:10-37; Psa. 19:8; Isa. 9:6; Dan. 5:1-31; Acts 7:54-57; Rom. 1:20)
1. What is the oldest recorded record of world history? The book of Genesis written by Moses while tending sheep on the back side of the wilderness about 1500 years before the birth of Jesus.
2. What evidence is available today that supports Moses’ account given in Genesis? The very existence of a uniquely designed & well-ordered planet that supports a myriad of highly complex life forms is evidence of a divine Designer/Creator who is all-powerful & eternal; the abundant fossil record worldwide supports Moses’ account of a worldwide cataclysmic flood; the existence of the Jewish people and their veneration of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob attest to Moses’ record of those early Hebrews & their monotheism.
3. Why do some people doubt or deny the Genesis record of history? Because they know that if in the beginning it was God that made us & chose a peculiar people then in the end God will judge us & only save a peculiar people.
4. When Moses continues his history in Exodus through Deuteronomy to whom does he limit his story? To God’s people, Israel.
4. How far does the Bible carry the history of the nation Israel? Up until their final, official rejection of their Messiah at the stoning of Stephen.
5. What parallel truth is demonstrated in the stories of David & Goliath, Hezekiah & Sennacherib, and that of Daniel & Belshazzar’s feast? That when God is defied and a man of God is present (David, Daniel, Hezekiah) then God acts in history for the deliverance of his people.
6. In reality, what is the theme of the entire Old Testament? It is Jesus as the promised Messiah to come.
7 What is unique about Biblical history that is seldom found in other religious writing? That it moves in a linear direction from an absolute beginning to an ultimate goal rather than in circular cycles.
Jesus and History (Psa. 110:1; Matt. 12:39-41; 19:4; 24:15, 38; Luke 2:1-3; 3:1-3; 16:29)
8. If you believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament what must you also accept? The entire Old Testament history for he believed that all that was recorded there literally took place & referred to & quoted it often.
9. What method of human chronology gives convincing evidence of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? That of reckoning time as AD & BC.
10. What specific evidence does Jesus give that Moses’ account of creation and the flood actually took place as recorded? He quotes from Genesis 1 when dealing with a question on divorce, he refers to Noah & the flood when speaking of his second coming, & he depicts Abraham as telling the rich man that Moses & the Prophets are sufficient to show one the way to life eternal.
11. What specific evidence does Jesus give that he believed the story of David? He repeatedly accepted the title “Son of David,” he retold the story of David eating consecrated bread when hungry, & he quoted Psalm 110 to show that he was the divine Son of God.
12. How do we know that Jesus accepted the writing of Daniel, even including his prophesies concerning “the little horn”? Because he told us to read them ourselves so we would know how to react when it appeared.
13. What proof did Jesus give that Jonah was literally swallowed by and spent time in the belly of a great fish? He repeatedly referred to that story as a type of his death burial, & resurrection.
14. If the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is not true how can one account for the rise and progress of Christianity in the world? One cannot.
15. What historical persons does Luke record that are also confirmed in secular history? The names of the reigning authorities when Jesus was born and those when John the Baptist began his ministry.
The Apostles and History (Heb. 11:1-40; James 2:14-26; 5:17-18; Rom. 4:1-17; Gal. 2:16; Jude 1:9-14)
16. How many Old Testament saints does Paul name in Hebrews 11 as having received a good report through faith? Sixteen & they span Old Testament history from Genesis through Psalms & by inference even to Daniel.
17. Why does Paul tell the story of Old Testament saints in Hebrews 11? Because he is looking into God’s book of remembrance to explain what faith is.
18. What is faith? Faith is believing the promises of God & accepting Jesus as your Substitute & Surety as the means (not basis) for receiving eternal life – it is not a work on our part but rather is a gift from God that we personally can exercise like opening the eye or receiving a gift – God’s promised future becomes real & things not see become “visible”.
19. Which of all the holy actions recorded in Hebrews 11 is part of faith? None of them – they are all the result of faith but not part of it – Romans & Galatians make clear that perfect obedience is the basis for our salvation & faith is the means of obtaining it.
20. Which Old Testament saints does James refer to in his epistle? To Abraham, Rahab, & Elijah.
21. Which Old Testament saints does Peter refer to in his epistles? To Sarah, Abraham, Noah, & Balaam, but he quotes from numerous others.
22. Which Old Testament personalities does Jude refer to in his epistle? To Adam, Cain, Enoch, Balaam, & Korah.