Jog Through the Bible

THE PENTATEUCH:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Author: Moses (Scofield Bible) or Unknown (Interpreter's Bible)

Date of Writing: 1450-1410 B.C. (Scofield) or Unknown (Interpreter's)

GENESIS: Judeo-Christian "ground rules"

Genesis 1-11:9. Pre-History (Creation and Fall, and the early legends)

CREATION: Read Genesis 1:1-5

Points to Ponder

* The Bible assumes the existence of God.

* God is an eternal being.

* God created all things from nothing.

* The Spirit has sovereignty over the material world.

* God creates through "the spoken Word."

* God created everything good.

Questions to Ponder

* Do we, or people in general, assume the existence of God?

* Can we grasp the concept of eternity?

* Is the Genesis account of creation literal truth or a parable?

* How does creation continue through "the spoken word"?

* Why is the Judeo-Christian teaching of a "good" world important?

Note the two different creation accounts in Genesis 1&2 (problems)

THE FALL: Read Genesis 3:1-7

* Adam and Eve begin the human family in perfect communion w. God.

* A&E eat from the tree of knowledge of both good and evil.

* The serpent, aka the devil, has one limited function: to tempt w. lies.

* God gives Adam and Eve - and us - the freedom to disobey.

* The immediate result of the Fall is self-consciousness.

* All human suffering is grounded in our disobedience to God's Word.

* All human endeavor is focused on getting back to the garden.

Questions to Ponder

* In light of this passage, what does the term "original sin" mean to you?

* What one word might you use to describe the garden of Eden? Why?

* Why is the word "knowledge" critical to the judgment of our lives?