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Genesis is the first book of the Bible. It is also the first of the five books of the Jewish Torah called the Pentateuch. It was written by Moses over 3400 years ago. Its theme is “beginnings.” In fact, the word Genesis means origins. It tells us how and when all things came into being … where and how the human race began … where and how sin entered into our world and who God first chose to begin progressively revealing himself to man.

The historicity and reliability of the book of Genesis is of paramount importance to the Word of God. Its revelations lay the foundation for all of the rest of the Bible. Time and again, the New Testament refers to its recorded events and personalities. Romans, for instance, relies on the historicity of its account of Adam and Eve and their act of disobedience as its basis for the critical doctrines of sin and salvation. It also cites the lives of Abraham and Sarah to prove that salvation is by faith alone. In the Gospels, Jesus confirmed the historicity of Noah and the Flood as well as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the authenticity of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. So, the veracity of the entire rest of the Bible rests upon the straightforward declarations found in Genesis. After studying the book of Genesis for over 50 years, I am absolutely convinced that its accounts can stand any unbiased test of history, science or theology. Truly, as you have it in Psalm 119:160a,

Thy word is true from the beginning...(KJV)

Genesis is not a book that needs to be reconciled to the passing and ever changing opinions and theories of men. On the contrary, man's fleeting, vacillating and often biased opinions and theories must be examined in the light of Genesis to see if they will stand or fall. Needless to say, therefore ... as far as the world is concerned, there is a great deal of highly controversial and disputed truths in the book of Genesis. Here are a few of them:

... That there is only one, true and living God who created all things.

... That God created everything ex nihilo (out of nothing) by simply speaking all things into existence.

... That the creation of our world is datable.

... That the earth is young residing in a young universe.

... That Evolution and its attending theories of origins are bogus.

... That Satan is real.

... That Adam and Eve are indeed the first parents of the human race.

... That the original civilization on Earth was judged by God, being utterly destroyed by a worldwide flood.

... That God, without condition, gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants for an everlasting possession.

You may already disagree with one or more of the above truths as stated in the book of Genesis. If so, all I ask is that you read this amazing book of Scripture and weigh the evidence for yourself. God is not a God who asks people to throw away their brains. I am convinced that all that is written in this ancient and unique book can stand on its own in the light of history, reason and sound science. Don’t make the mistake of throwing out mankind’s only true book of origins merely because a myriad of voices oppose it in the name of political correctness, Evolution, humanistic philosophy and preconceived religious ideologies. Colossians 2:8 warns,

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

It is not surprising that Satan's strongest attacks are aimed at the book of Genesis. However, he has never been able to destroy one word of the Word of God. He has only been able to attempt to keep it out of people’s hands and, if that failed, to lie about it and attempt to demean it along with the true and living God who spoke it in the first place. Ultimately, however, the same one who spoke the words of the book of Genesis will one day destroy the dark god of this world. As you have it in Revelation 20:10,

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (KJV)

If we come to the book of Genesis with an open mind and humbly ask God to reveal its veracity and truths to us, he undoubtedly will do so. Jesus said,

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

And again, as he prayed to his Father for his followers in John 17:17 (NIV),

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Proceed to first next chapter