Introduction of the Pentateuch Ideas

Genesis

Creation of the World

God alone is the Creator of the world. There is only ONE God, not many.

God created the world "perfect" and "good"

Humanity sinned and rebelled against God

God gave humans "free will" this free will allows for us to choose evil.

The book of Genesis sets the stage and provides the framework for the Bible as a whole.

God destroyed the earth by flood due to sin and widespread evil

This aligns with the theme in the Pentateuch that God is "Sovereign". He reigns over ALL the earth and heavens.

Main themes of the Pentateuch

  1. Sovereignty of God
  1. History

Holiness

  1. Salvation
  1. Fallen condition of Humanity

Genesis introduces God, humanity, and the world

Ancient Ideology

Egyptian

Babylonian

The gods, Nut and Re. These gods are responsible for the cycles of morning and evening. The sun is created by these gods.

The belief that there are many gods over the heavens, earth, and the waters.

Biblical View

The earth was formed and is sustained by ONE true God.

Humans are God's creation, but we are also responsible for recreating and managing God's creation on earth

God dedicated a day to "rest" which is known as the Sabbath

The book of Genesis is a book about God's creation dwelling in His created world.

The book of Genesis sets the tone for the remainder of the Bible. It is the beginning of the story of how humanity relates to God after the fall of man.

Primeval Narratives

  1. God Makes Good

Patriarchal Narratives

  1. God cultivates blessings for His chosen people
  1. Man Sins

Man's purpose is given by God

Man's sin and the fall

God's chosen people in Israel that He would eventually send His Son to be born through this family line