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Join me on a captivating journey through the book of Genesis in this verse-by-verse Bible study. I'm Randy Duncan, your host, and in this inaugural episode, we delve into the profound significance of Genesis 1:1, exploring its implications for our understanding of creation, science, and faith.
Before we embark on our study, I want to address the importance of these opening verses, particularly in light of contemporary debates surrounding science and scripture. We'll take a meticulous approach to unpacking creation week, laying a solid foundation for our exploration of subsequent chapters.
As we delve into Genesis 1:1, we confront fundamental questions about the origins of the universe and the nature of existence. We'll examine contrasting worldviews—those rooted in scientific materialism and those grounded in faith—illuminating the profound implications of each perspective.
Through a careful examination of Hebrew language and biblical theology, we'll uncover layers of meaning within this iconic verse. From the assertion of divine creation ex nihilo to the tantalizing hints of the Trinity, Genesis 1:1 offers a rich tapestry of theological insight.
Moreover, we'll confront prevalent misconceptions and ideologies that seek to undermine the authority of scripture, demonstrating how Genesis 1:1 stands as a resolute rebuttal to various -isms and false doctrines.
As we journey through Genesis, my aim is not only to edify believers but also to extend an invitation to skeptics and seekers alike. Through thoughtful exploration and reflection, may we all grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So, whether you're a seasoned believer or someone wrestling with questions of faith, I invite you to join me on this illuminating odyssey through the pages of Genesis. Who knows? You might just discover that the answers you seek are closer than you think.
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Well welcome to this verse-by-verse Bible study, I’m Randy Duncan, and in this episode we’re going to begin our study through the book of Genesis
But before we jump into this study, I just want to give you a heads-up on how I’m going to handle the first several verses. These initial verses of Genesis are very important, especially in our modern world where many people believe that science has disproved much of the Bible, especially the early parts of Genesis. And so we’re going to take our time making our way through creation week. After that, we will start progressing at a more normal pace of about a chapter per episode.
But I think it’s critical in these early verses to make sure we have a proper grounding and reference, and to demonstrate and reassure you as a believer that science has in no way disproved the Bible or the existence of God. Or to say it another way, the rumors about the death of God have been greaty exaggerated!
In fact, you’ll see as we go along, that modern science has done the exact opposite, and has actually made the argument for the existence of God even stronger!
And so, with those introductory words, let’s jump in with perhaps the most recognized and well-known verse in all of scripture, Genesis 1:1, which reads…V1 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
Some people believe this, not the resurrection of Jesus, is the biggest miracle in the entire bible. Because if it’s true, then doing other, seemingly smaller miracles, should be child’s play for a creator that can bring the entire universe into being from nothing! Even a resurrection!
If you can understand, comprehend, and believe this very first verse, then the rest of the Bible is understandable
But there are two primary worldviews you can hold - either the universe and everything is the result of a cosmic accident and random chance, just physics and chemistry...OR
The universe is the result of deliberate design by a creator
The atheist or skeptics want to point out that we Christians just believe God always existed, and that is an easy way out. But then they turn around and argue that the universe, or the multiverse generator, has always existed. Both sides are arguing that something has always existed. So regardless of which side you’re on, it involves some measure of faith.
The atheist believes that the universe created itself. The Christian believes that the universe was created by God. There really is no other perspective, at least not one that doesn’t bring you back to this ultimate starting point
Our education system, media, and indeed, our culture, have explained away God in the minds of many
Many people believe that science has explained everything, and so there is no room left for God
Therefore, because it runs contrary to their way of thinking, the book of Genesis is the main hang-up for many
After all, Adam/Eve, an apple, a talking snake, the flood, Tower of Babel, the ark, etc.
If a person believes that they can’t trust Genesis, why should they trust what Jesus said?
If we can’t get a person past Genesis 1:1, how are we ever going to get them to John 3:16?
So, back to V1…”In the beginning”. We are all so familiar with this first part of this verse, that we don’t take the time to appreciate exactly what is being communicated here. Let’s take a look at it a bit more closely
Modern science of course teaches the Big Bang theory. Now whether you believe that or not is not all that important right here. The main takeaway is that there WAS a beginning!
Why is that important? Because for all of human history, all the way until the 1920s, only 100 years ago, people, including scientists, thought the universe was eternal, that it had always existed!
But thanks to people like Albert Einstein and Edwin Hubble, scientists proved that the universe indeed had a definitive beginning. In other words, it was not eternal, it had not always existed! Not only did it have a beginning, but it was actually expanding
This was a huge discovery, one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century, and took scientists completely by surprise
In fact, scientists did not like this discovery. Why? Because it sounded way too familiar. Way to much like Genesis 1:1
Scientists spent a couple of decades trying to disprove the findings, but were unable to do so
Genesis was written approximately 3500 years ago. So about 3400 years before brilliant scientists figured it out, the Bible told us that the universe had a beginning.
Not only that, in the second half of the first verse, it told us that the cause of that beginning was God.
In the beginning, “God created the heavens and the earth”
The universe was created by a willful act of God. But science operates with handcuffs on, because it is limited by self-imposed rules to only allow “naturalistic” explanations. I mean there’s no secret there!
So not allowing a supernatural explanation, they are not even permitted to consider God, and so all they are left with is to try and offer up the best naturalistic explanation they can imagine. That is how and why they propose “the multiverse”
Nevermind that there is no evidence whatsoever for a multiverse, that doesn’t matter. So even though it is pure speculation, at least it doesn’t involve God
But getting back to the Christian perspective, we know there was a beginning, which implies a beginner, which is exactly what the Bible teaches
It also tells us God created the ‘heavens and the earth”
The term “heavens and the earth” in Hebrew, the “shamayim erets”, refers to all of physical reality, the universe. What the Greeks referred to as the cosmos. All space, time, matter, and energy
So if all space, time, matter, and energy were created, then the one who created them must beyond them, must transcend them. To say it another way, if all of nature was created, then the creator must be beyond nature, or what we would call “super-natural”
Furthermore, the Hebrew word for “created” is bara, which means created “out of nothing”. There is a different Hebrew word when God creates out of existing material (asa). That is more akin to the word “made”. But that is not the word used here. This is referring to creation “ex-nihilo”, literally out of nothing! From previously non-existent material.
No matter, no energy...absolutely nothing!
We can “make” things. We can “form” things, but we are using pre-existing materials. Only God can create in the sense implied by bara
Observation - In the beginning, “God”- the word used here for God is “elohim”. It is a plural form of a word for God. But we know God is a singular entity. So why would Genesis use the plural in describing the one true God? Could it be a hint of the Trinity right here in the very first verse of the Bible?
Some have said that Jesus is on every page of the OT. I don’t know about that, but I am aware of what I believe are many allusions to Jesus in the OT, and I think this is possibly one of them
So when we read that “In the beginning God created, and we read the plural form of God “elohim”, it should at least cause us to ask the question and dig a little deeper.
Who actually created the Heavens and the earth? Was it God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
In Col 1:16 , speaking about the preeminence of Jesus, scripture says “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Who is the “Him” here? It is Jesus Christ! And here, he is credited with creating all things
And in Gen 1:2 - “ The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And so here we see the spirit of God acting in creation
And so in wrapping up this episode, in the very first verse of the Bible, it is as if God has anticipated so many false ideologies. He rebukes so many -isms and theologies
For example,
Pantheism- the belief that the universe is God. No, God created the universe. He transcends the universe. He is separate from the universe.
Naturalism - No, the universe did not just appear out of nothing. God created it
Polytheism - No, there is only one God, although triune in nature.
Atheism - there is no God. No, God exists and created the universe
Humanism - Man, not God is the ultimate reality. No, God is the ultimate reality and creator of all things
Many others…
I very much appreciate you joining me in this first episode of our study of the boof of Genesis. Again, the first few episodes will be at a much slower pace as we take a deeper dive into creation week. But I think it’s very important to remove potential obstacles for some people, because again, if we can’t get them to accept Genesis, how can we expect them to accept Jesus?
And after all, that’s the purpose of this podcast, to encourage believers in Jesus Christ, and to share with listeners that God indeed so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. And my prayer for you is that through this study, you do as 2 Peter 3:18 emplores us, and that you grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And so I invite you to stay with me through this fascinating and foundational study of God's word. And if you do, for any of you who are not yet believers, you might just discover that Jesus is the one you’ve been looking for all along.