Help with Discussion Thread Replies: Theological Themes in Genesis 1 - 11

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Post two (2) replies to peer threads of at least 250 words each. Each reply to peer threads should incorporate thoughtful analysis and advance the conversation with acknowledgement of strengths and ways to enhance or strengthen peer threads. Evidential support from Scripture and academic sources should be included as appropriate to validate argumentation in the replies to peer threads.

1st Reply - Monique Ofori

The Divinity of God

The divinity of God is illustrated in the theological themes depicting him as the creator and covenant-maker who sets forth laws and governance for his creation.

God, Creator

Firstly, the Bible introduces God in the book of Genesis as the creator who possesses the ability to create (bara) the “heaven and the Earth” as well as “male and female” (Gen. 1:1, 21, 27) (Hamilton 2005, 32). The Hebrew word bara (H1254) refers to God’s divinely creating and shaping activities in the Bible (Renn 2005, 221).

In the beginning, we see God first creating “heaven and Earth” (Gen. 1:1) (Longmann and Dillard 2007, 57). Later in the Bible, the book of Isaiah also reaffirms the Genesis creation story by declaring that God has “made the Earth and created man upon it” (Gen. 45:12).

Upon further investigation, we find that the book of Genesis continues with the theme of depicting God as a god that creates (bara), forms (yatsar), and makes (asah) his creation (Hamilton 2005, 26). Now the Hebrew word yatsar (H3335) is God’s divine ability to “form” and “fashion” his creation (Renn 2005, 408). Additionally, the Greek word asah (H6213) refers to God’s divine ability to “make” things, people, and circumstances both tangible and intangible (Gen. 1:7, 16, 25, 31, 25-26; 2:2-4; 6:14; Is. 45:7; 63:12) (Renn 2005, 621).

Moreover, the Bible also introduces God as a divine creator of mankind (Gen. 1:27; Is. 43:1). He is a God portrayed as creating (bara) as well as forming (yatsar) mankind (Gen. 1:27; Is. 43:1, 21). More significantly, God made (asah) mankind in his “image” (images Dei') by divine intention' (Gen. 1:26; 5:1; 9:6) (Hamilton 2005, 24, 27; Arnold and Beyer 2015, 54).

Isaiah continues to confirm that God has formed (yatsar) “light” and created (bara) “darkness” (Is. 45:7). God has the divine ability as creator and maker to control when the light shines and when darkness is allowed to be present (Gen. 1:4-5; 8:22).

God, Covenant-Maker

Secondly, mankind was created to “subdue” and have “dominion” over the Earth and the things that inhabit the Earth (Gen. 1:26-28; 9:1-17) (Hamilton 2005, 21, 28). God is a covenant-keeping God who originally established his covenant with man at the beginning of creation and re-established his covenant after the great flood (Gen. 1:26; 8:22; 9:1-17) (Longmann and Dillard 2007, 58).

God, The One Who Establishes Governance

We also see in Genesis that God's governance sets 'boundaries' and 'laws' for mankind, starting in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:16-17) (Hamilton 2005, 29; Ryken 2015, 22). Then, after the flood, God reaffirms his covenant and commands man to include eating blood and shedding blood (murder) (Gen. 9:4-6).

God gave mankind 'responsibilities' for tending to the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15) (Hamilton 2005, 29-30, 32; Arnold and Beyer 2015, 57). Here we find God giving mankind responsibilities for work and vocation. There will always be a need for mankind to “till the ground” and work to cultivate the Earth, such as with Adam and Noah (Gen. 2:5, 4:2, 12; 9:20) (Hamilton 2005, 28, 30). The theological theme of man “working” was a command from God, not a punishment, as God initially instructed for Adam to “dress” (abad’) the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15). The Hebrew word abad (H5647) is in reference to the ability to “dress the garden,” “till the ground,” or “work the ground” before and after ‘the fall of man’ (Gen. 2:5, 3:23, 4:2,12) (Renn 2005, 1061).

In summation, we see that Genesis chapters 1-11 present significant theological themes such as God being creator, granting mankind dominion over the habitation and inhabitants of the Earth. These early chapters of the 'beginnings' of the Earth's generations also outline God's boundaries, laws, and responsibilities for humanity in a series of covenants.

References

Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer. 2015. Encountering the Old Testament (Encountering Biblical Studies): A Christian Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Hamilton, Victor P. 2005. Handbook on the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing.

Longmann III, Temper and Raymond B. Dillard. 2007. An Introduction to the Old Testament, 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Renn, Stephen D., ed. 2005. Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers.

Ryken, Leland. 2015. Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible. Wheaton: Crossway.

2nd Reply - Wren Wiebe

Throughout Genesis 1-11 there are important theological themes both about God and mankind that are important to understand. Still more, as we come to understand them, they have implications for our daily lives.

First, it is important to address the major theological themes about God. In these chapters and all throughout the Bible God is gracious to reveal his character to mankind. The important themes about God in these chapters and throughout the bible are numerous and cannot all possibly be covered here. However, I will address two themes that are seen in the first part of Genesis that I find particularly important. Namely, God is self-sufficient, and God is a gracious and just judge.

Specifically in Genesis 1-2, God is shown to be self-sufficient, in that he was before creation and is not dependent on anyone or anything for existence.[1] Genesis 1:1-2 says “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Gen 1:1-2 [NASB]). Before time and before creation God simply was. Victor Hamilton describes this as the “oneness”[2] of God, explaining “all the resources for self-fulfillment are within him.”[3] Overall, the theme that God is self-sufficient is important to recognize because it shows us that God chose to create mankind, he does not need us.

The second theme shown throughout Genesis 1-11 is that God is a gracious and just judge. Right after Adam and Eve disobey in Genesis 3, God rightly punishes them and casts them out of the garden (Gen. 3:16-24). However, right before the punishment is told, in Genesis 3:15, God graciously points to the Savior who will come and make all things right saying, “he shall bruise you on the head and you shall bruise him on the heal.” This is a promise that Christ will indeed be victorious over Satan. Still more, in Genesis 6:6 it explains, “the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” Thus, God rightly decides to send a flood to destroy the people, yet he spares Noah and his family, graciously making a way for mankind to continue. Hamilton summarizes this theme of God’s justice and grace at work, stating, “where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.”[4] It is clear, that mankind is not deserving of God's grace, still in there sin, he makes a way for them to be in relationship with him.

After gaining a proper understanding of the theological themes of God, it is important to recognize what Genesis 1-11 teaches about mankind. There is one main theme that is incredibly important to recognize in these chapters and that is the sinfulness of mankind.

The sinfulness of mankind first appears in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobey God and eat the fruit of the tree. From that point on, sinfulness abounds. For example, Genesis chapter 4 explains the first murder, saying “Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him” (Gen. 4:8). Then chapter 6 explains, “the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Finally, in chapter 11, the people even try to build a tower to reach heaven. Overall, it is clear in these chapters that mankind is sinful. Understanding this is crucial because we have to recognize our own sinfulness that we might see our need for a Savior.

In the end, as we gain a better understanding of who God is and the realities of humanity it should impact the way we live. Specifically, as I look at the fact that God is self-sufficient, I recognize that he does not need me to accomplish his purposes but chooses to use me. Thus, I get to view the work I do as an incredible opportunity and gift from God. I get the chance to have an eternal impact while on this earth, thus I should be incredibly excited each and every day that God would allow me to be part of his plan and purposes. Furthermore, as I go through my days at work, the fallenness of mankind is as easy to see as it was in Genesis 1-11. However, because of this, I am reminded about the importance of sharing my faith with those around me. Because I recognize that we are all sinful and in need of saving, I want the sharing of this good news to be a part of what I do every day.

Footnotes

[1] Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the PentateuchLinks to an external site., 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 24.

[2] Hamilton, Handbook, 24.

[3] Hamilton, Handbook, 24.

[4] Hamilton, Handbook, 58.

Bibliography

Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the PentateuchLinks to an external site., 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.