Episode 2 - What's up with genealogies in the Bible?

This episode is the first in the series to consider the strength of scientific evidence - in this case for the age of the earth. I am joined by my friend and fellow geologist, Ken Wolgemuth, to discuss four common myths or misunderstandings of the science of earth history. Myth 1: Historical science is not "real" science. Myth 2: The geologic column and deep time was invented to make room for evolution. Myth 3: Dating using counting methods such as tree rings and lake layers reply on untestable assumptions of one ring/layer per year. Myth 4: Dating using radiometric methods rely on untestable assumptions of no daughter products at the time of mineral formation, no leakage of atoms after, and constant radioactive decay rates.

You don't need a science education to follow this discussion. We assume everyone listening was an English major. 

We continue with asking if modern scientific understanding, particularly as it relates to origins, is inherently in conflict with the biblical creation account. Part 2 dives into human origins -  whether Adam and Eve were specially created or selected from a larger population, how scientists can claim we all came from a single female AND from a larger contemporaneous population, and what the Bible might say about hominids outside the Garden. All with an eye to the truth of Scripture!

In this episode, we ask if modern scientific understanding, particularly as it relates to origins, is inherently in conflict with the biblical creation account. Part 1 considers the beginning of everything, the origin of plants and animals, death before sin, and whether creation over many generations is consistent with the biblical description of the character of God. (We'll save the human origins questions for Part 2!) 

In the Bible, land plays a much larger roll than just a place to call home. The gift of a homeland represents living where God walks among his people. Exile from that land meant being sent away from God’s presence, provision, and protection. It represented death.

In this final layer of Then Manifold Beauty of Genesis 1, we explore the parallels between Eden and Canaan, and between Adam and Israel. It is a story of blessings, sin, and exile, but with the sure hope of restoration. 

Of all the layers covered, this one is likely the least familiar to readers today, as the drift of modern society has removed us from the significance of the calendar of festivals of ancient Israel. Material for this layer is drawn largely from Michael Lefevre’s book, The Liturgy of Creation, published in 2019. The basic premise is that the festival dates, holy days, and even dates commemorating historical events, are tied to the agricultural cycle as a way of emphasizing Israel’s dependency on God’s provision. That same annual cycle can be found in microcosm in Genesis 1.

The parallels between Eden and the tabernacle or later temple run deep through Scripture, even to the very end, where Ezekiel and Revelation speak of a final temple that is what Eden was intended to one day be, filling the entire earth. A place where we learn what it really means to enter God’s rest – a place where God dwells and walks among his people.

In the Polemic Layer (Episode 6), we saw Genesis challenging the errant theology and false gods of the surrounding nations. But in the Covenant Layer (Episode 7) and in this Temple Layer, we find Genesis tapping into common understanding of treaty and temple language to illustrate who God is and what he is doing with his people.

Layer 4 of The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One dives into the importance of covenants in the Bible, starting from the very beginning – not only with Adam and Eve, but with the creation itself. The implications of a creation covenant influences how we see and care for God’s garden today.

Discussion also includes insights from archeological discoveries that the biblical language of covenants has significant parallels with the wording of Hittite and Assyrian treaties – especially treaties between a ruling king and a vassal nation. 

Layer 3 of The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One focuses is the Polemic – contrasting the God of Israel against the false gods and twisted theology of the surrounding nations. 

If you wonder how pertinent this layer is for a modern culture that has moved beyond belief in a pantheon of gods, prepare to be surprised!

Layer 2 is the Analogy with the human work week. God had no need to divide his creativity into a series of days, no need of the breaks between, and certainly no need of an ending rest – nor was he confined to one spot on a spinning globe (a requirement for day to turn to night). But the divisions communicate a great deal about what is important to God on our behalf – work, order, creativity, rest, and worship. 

Think Genesis 1 is simply the history of creation? Or perhaps a mythological “just so” story for an ancient tribe? The creation story is so much more! Join in for a 7-part series, co-hosted by Kenneth Turner, Hebrew scholar and co-author of The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One, where we discuss the rich tapestry of layers contained in this singular story. 

Think Genesis 1 is simply the history of creation? Or perhaps a mythological “just so” story for an ancient tribe? The creation story is so much more! Join in for a 7-part series, co-hosted by Kenneth Turner, Hebrew scholar and co-author of The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One, where we discuss the rich tapestry of layers contained in this singular story. 

Layer 1 - the Song of Creation - focuses on the unique poetic structure of the creation days (and the number 7!), illustrating the artistry of the God’s craftsmanship, not simply bring a material world into existence, but endowing it with beauty and intrinsic purpose.