What To Know about the Beginning...

Genesis displays the foundation not only of us better understanding who God is as our creator but also who we are in relationship to God. As we begin to view this Scripture, questions of whether or not we should interpret it literally, or figuratively often appear. As I have studied this scripture myself, I have found that viewing it literally/historically, demonstrates the most accurate description.

One of the first ways that we can view Genesis is through its narrative. Interestingly, much of the narrative is embedded in the genealogy itself (see in Genesis 4-5). These names are not of figurative speech, but actual historical accounts of people affirmed even in New Testament writings (see in Luke 3). Furthermore, this even proves the life of Adam and Eve. While many would view this only as a figurative story of mankind falling into sin, I would argue that Genesis is referring to the account a real man and woman. Although the literal definition of Adam is in fact “man”[1] and much of his description can be seen as universal symbolism, Adam’s genealogy is still recorded. Even in the Gospels, the genealogy of Jesus begins with Adam. As Adam is written about and discussed in the New Testament, He is only talked about as an historical figure.[2] This shows in itself affirmation of these accounts.

Another controversy that we see is in the beginning of Genesis. Often times it is argued that evolution and God’s creation of the world actually work with one another. Yet, when we look into the description of Genesis, we will find that this does not coincide with Scripture. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” While theologians would agree that God created the earth, the time in which it took to create is disagreed. Though Genesis describes God creating world in six days and resting on the seventh, some theologians would claim that this was not a literal six days. These days could have actually been millions of years. However, as we actually holistically view the approach of evolution we can easily see how it is impossible for them to work with one another.

Specifically, evolution is a process. Millions of years for life to become "good". Yet in order for this to be possible, the process has to require death. Romans 6:23 tells us, "The wages of sin is death." What does this tell us regarding creation? Overall, this means that because of our sin, death is a result. Life was never intended for the purpose of death. Yet, for evolution to be seen as credible it would mean that death would have had to occur before the fall. This in itself goes directly against Scripture.

Additionally, when we view the context of the words that are used, its translation has to be seen as literal. One example that we can view is through Genesis 1. As God was creating the world, the word “day” is often used. Interestingly, the word “day” in Hebrew, is translated to “yom”. Its actual usage, “yom” literally means a twenty-four-hour period. Not only does this show us an accredited way to view time in Genesis but really in all of Scripture. Every time that “yom” in the Bible is used, it has only ever been used to display and describe a twenty-four-hour period.[3]

We can even view other accounts in Scripture who have also taken these words exactly how they are stated. In Exodus 20:9-11, we see the direction from God to rest on the seventh day as He did when He created the heavens and the earth. When Moses wrote this, the language used is again directly correlated to the same terms in Genesis. Additionally, when this is read and expressed in Exodus, people only viewed it as its literal form and proceeded to obey the commandment. On the seventh-day, for a twenty-four-hour period they were commanded to rest.

Overall, if we assume Genesis as written to be interpreted as anything other than a literal view, we would, take away affirmed historical accounts and put into question the accuracy of God’s Word. Still if we trust in the inherency of His Word, then we will find that what He has spoken in Genesis is seen to be true. As we read God’s Word it is vital for us to accurately understand the message that God is speaking to us through Scripture. In 2 Timothy 2:15 we see that God has called us to rightly handle the word of Truth. Therefore, in reading through Genesis it is important that we do not take lightly this responsibility.

[1] “Beyond Is Genesis History? 3: Bible & Stars,” Is Genesis History?, December 31, 2020, https://isgenesishistory.com/product/beyond-genesis-3/. [2] “Doctrine of Man (Part 13): The Question of the Historicity of Adam and Eve: Reasonable Faith,” accessed January 25, 2021, https://www.reasonablefaith.org/podcasts/defenders-podcast-series-3/s3-doctrine-of-man/doctrine-of-man-part-13. [3] John C. Whitcomb, Jr., The Early Earth (Winona Lake, IN, 1972), 27.