Our understanding of the beginning chapters of the book of Genesis are critical to our understanding of the rest of the Bible and even the gospel itself. The writer of Hebrews states “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:1-3). Faith in the creation of the universe by God is so important, that it begins the “By faith” statements of Hebrews 11. We cannot misunderstand creation, for if we do, we will misunderstand God’s purpose for that creation, including the redemption of that creation. The creator of the universe, is also the redeemer of the universe (John 1:1-3). Pastor Joe Morecraft [1] explains why the creation account must be taken as history.
Genesis 1-2 is a special revelation from God explaining how and why He created the universe. It must be taken as an actual historical account, as relating to the events that actually occurred, for three reasons. (1) Genesis 1-2 stands in close relation to the rest of the book of Genesis. The remained of the book presupposed that creation account just as the creation account prepares for what follows. (2) The characteristics of Hebrew poetry are lacking; and the marks of historical narrative characterize it. (3) The New Testament and the Old Testament regard specific events mentioned in Genesis 1-3 as actually having taken place: the creation of light by God’s Word (2 Cor. 4:6); the presence of thorns as a sign of the curse in Genesis 3 (Heb. 6:7, 8); the creation of the world by a Divinely-spoken Word (Ps. 33:9); the separation of land and firmament by God’s Word (2 Pet. 3:5); the creation of the universe out of nothing (Heb. 11:3); the creation of the world in six days and a Sabbath (Ex. 20:11); the creation of Eve out of Adam (1 Cor. 11:8) [2].
We must take Genesis 1-2 as a historical account because that is how it is written and because the whole of Scripture affirms the historicity of the passage. This is a fine example of the Protestant principle of Scripture interpreting Scripture. Any other view is contrary to the Word of God. May God be pleased to sanctify the Church and call her back to a right understanding of creation. Let all people of the world stand in awe of God, like the psalmist.
By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth and all their host. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6-9
NASA/courtesy of nasaimages.org
1. Dr. Joe Morecraft is pastor of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church. The first volume of his five volume commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism in now available. You can still get the entire set at the preorder price at American Vision.
2. Morecraft III, Joseph, Authentic Christianity: An Exposition of the Theology and Ethics of the Westminster Larger Catechism Volume 1, Powder Springs: American Vision Press, p 533.
