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This lesson builds a framework for the rest of the course, emphasizing the Old Testament’s reliability, theological depth, and historical importance.
Outline of the Lesson
1. Opening Prayer and Class Goals
- Acknowledgment of starting class with prayer and making it a habit.
- Class goal: To teach how the Old Testament leads to Jesus Christ.
- Jesus’ first teaching after resurrection (Luke 24) was a Bible study on the Old Testament.
- Students encouraged to actively engage by reading and questioning their Bibles.
2. The Development of the Bible: From Scrolls to Books
- Jesus and the disciples used scrolls, not books like today.
- Early Christian writings (Codex Vaticanus, Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Sinaiticus) were among the first bound books (codices).
- Emperor Constantine and the role of Christian scholarship—how early Christians preserved Scripture.
- The difference between a scroll and a codex and how this impacted biblical transmission.
3. Understanding the Old Testament’s Structure
- Jesus referred to the Old Testament as “Moses and the Prophets” or “The Law and the Prophets.”
- The Pentateuch (Torah) as the foundation—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
- Historical books: Joshua through Esther.
- Wisdom literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
- Prophets divided into Major (longer books) and Minor (shorter books).
- The 12 Minor Prophets were often referred to as ‘The Twelve.’
4. The Reliability of the Old Testament Canon
- The books of the Old Testament were recognized as authoritative by Jesus and the apostles.
- Some additional books (Apocrypha) were added by certain Christian traditions (e.g., Tobit, Wisdom), but they were not considered part of the Hebrew Bible.
- The New Testament authors do not quote from these extra books, reinforcing their non-canonical status.
5. The Role of Study Bibles in Learning Scripture
- Why a study Bible is a crucial tool—contains historical notes, cross-references, and scholarly insights.
- Roman numerals and introductory essays—understanding the background of biblical books.
- Timelines and maps—how these tools help place biblical events in historical context.
- Example from Isaiah 1:1—how prophets date their writings using the reigns of kings.
6. Biblical Chronology: The Importance of Time in Scripture
- How ancient cultures tracked time through genealogies—tracing people back to Adam.
- Isaac Newton’s fascination with biblical chronology—his belief that Genesis contained an accurate timeline of history.
- The significance of a seven-day week—it has no astronomical basis but is universal.
- Genesis as the foundation of all timekeeping—”Day four of creation set the sun and moon for times and seasons.”
7. The Most Controversial Chapter: Genesis 1
- Why Genesis 1 is foundational for all of Scripture—it defines creation, humanity, and history.
- The attack on Genesis—modern secular thought challenges the idea of divine creation.
- Common assumptions about Genesis that are not in the text:
- Eve giving Adam an apple (the text just says “fruit”).
- The Garden of Eden looking like an English countryside.
- The serpent as a snake—Revelation 12 calls him a dragon.
8. The Debate Over the Days of Genesis 1
- Young Earth View (Traditional Interpretation)
- Six literal 24-hour days of creation.
- Supported by Exodus 20:11—God worked six days and rested on the seventh, establishing the Sabbath.
- Alternative Interpretations
- Day-Age Theory – Days represent long ages, not 24-hour periods.
- Analogical Days – Days are a teaching tool, not literal history.
- Mythopoetic View – Genesis is symbolic, not historical.
- Scriptural Evidence for a Literal Creation Week:
- Exodus 20:11 – “In six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earth.”
- Mark 10:6 – Jesus says, “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.”
- Romans 1:20 – God’s attributes have been “clearly seen” since the creation of the world, implying humans were present from the start.
9. Evolution vs. Biblical Creation
- The role of the Enlightenment in challenging Genesis—secular thinkers rejected biblical history.
- Theistic Evolution—some Christians try to blend evolution with Scripture, but this raises theological problems.
- The Problem with Long Ages
- Old-earth views require millions of years with no humans, contradicting Genesis.
- Isaiah 45:18 – “God did not create the earth a waste place but formed it to be inhabited.”
- Evolutionary history undermines the biblical teaching of Adam and Eve.
10. Jesus as the Second Adam
- Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus back to Adam—showing biblical history as a continuous line.
- Adam’s failure in Eden contrasts with Jesus’ victory in the wilderness (Luke 4).
- Genesis 1 is ultimately about Jesus—He was there at the beginning (John 1:1-3), creating the world.
11. Assignments and Next Steps
- Read Psalm 19—study the contrast between special revelation (Scripture) and general revelation (nature).
- Find New Testament passages that reference Genesis 1-3.
- Use study Bible tools (cross-references, notes, concordance) to deepen understanding.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Testament is structured intentionally—it is divinely inspired and historically reliable.
- Jesus affirmed the Old Testament’s authority, using it to explain His own identity and mission.
- Genesis 1 is the foundation of Christian doctrine—if it is removed, biblical truth collapses.
- Biblical chronology is important—it places Scripture in real history.
- The battle over Genesis is really a battle over Jesus—undermining Genesis undermines Christ’s role in creation and redemption.
Delivered 09/02/20