Genesis Foundational Absolutes

[mark kennedy]

I find at least three absolutes in Genesis 1 that clarify the intent of the passage in no uncertain terms.

The Hebrew for Creation ( בּרא ), God ( אלהים )and Beginning ( ראשׁית ),

bara' baw-raw' a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (Strong's)

'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of ''elowahh' (433); gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God;

re'shiyth ray-sheeth' from the same as 'ro'sh' (7218); the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit):--beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.​

Most creationists have done some kind of an exposition of Genesis 1 before so it's pretty straightforward. This verse, the very first verse of Scripture emphasizes three foundational absolutes, forgive the loose paraphrase but I think it reads something like this:

In the beginning God created the universe from nothing, renovated the entire face of the earth separating the heavens, earth and sea, filling them with life in all it's vast array in the space of six days.

The tone of this narrative as well as the literal meaning of it's texts are inescapable and they are clearly absolute. While it might not impress the Academic Cadre of the secular world it is definitive in Christian theism. When you think of it salvation itself is the same thing in a different context, the New Testament calls it new birth (John 3). While I do not begrudge the evolutionist a dig here and there over scientific jargon the emphatic, explicit and absolute language of Genesis 1 transcends all of Scripture.

I see a direct correlation here with John 1, Hebrews 1 and Revelations 22. There is also the obvious link to the resurrection (Romans 6) but the washing, renewing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit is essential Christianity. Remember this from the narrative in Genesis?

the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)​

Ok, the formless void is you in the New Testament, same Spirit hovering. By transcendent I mean ubiquitous, this is far more important then a few random bones. These are the divine attributes reflected in nature that leaves men without an excuse since they have been shown.

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19,20)
​

So they like to argue that there is no evidence for creation, so the Scriptures point them to the creation as say, yes there is and you have seen it.

Just thought you might enjoy some things from my notes.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[stephnewuser]

Whoa me too

 

[Achilles6129]

Good points, Mark. Genesis simply means what it says. That includes, obviously, a global flood and a creation in 6 days.

Look out over the universe. Look at the galaxies and galaxies of hundreds of billions of stars. Are you really trying to tell me the Creator of the universe couldn't have accomplished the events in Genesis 1-10? Of course not. They simply misinterpreted the evidence, in part because they rejected the Bible (and the Creator) to begin with.