Interpretations of Genesis

1

• Interpretations of Genesis
• Genesis 1 2 2 different accounts of the same
  event (creation of world and all in it)
• Genesis means beginning, origin, or
  creation
• Remember Adam and Eve SHOULD be translated as
  man and woman
• Genesis 1 is about 2,500years old
• Genesis 2 is about 3,000 years old
• They are written versions of stories passed on
  orally unsure of exactly when they were
  originally written or by whom.
• If Genesis 1 and 2 are contradictory versions of
  the same story, why were they kept? The Bible is
  the accepted canon of Christianity its
  official contents were discussed and agreed on.
  People must have thought both had an important
  message.

2
Literal Interpretations of the Bible

• Scientific Materialists are people with a
  strictly scientific world view
• They say if the Bible is true, it is impossible
  and therefore rubbish.
• Creationists are foundationalist Christians who
  interpret the Bible literally.
• There are different branches of creationism.
• Creationists use the Bible POSITIVELY and say it
  is an exact account of how we got here.
• E.g. Archbishop Ussher in 1660 dated the origin
  of man to 4004BC!
• N.B. The majority of Christians DO NOT take a
  literal view of the Bible.

3

• Creationism / Creation Science
• Creationists Take a literal interpretation of
  the Bible created in 7 days / flood really
  happened / etc
• Progressive Creationists Take the Bible
  literally BUT within reason.
• Dont see creation in 7x24 hours, but 7 periods
  of time
• Accept SOME mainstream science

4
Criticisms of Creationism

• As mainstream science becomes more concrete, it
  seems less credible
• Creation Scientists pick and chose the
  scientific evidence they use (e.g. some geology
  but not evolution) this is a matter of faith,
  not science as it claims.
• Talking about special creation and supernatural
  intervention cannot be tested scientifically
  again it is all about belief. Also leads to god
  of gaps problem.
• Independent scientists (majority of community) do
  not accept Creation Science calculations and
  evidence. It goes against mainstram physics,
  chemistry, astronomy and geology.
• E.g. No geological evidence of a world-wide flood
• There is generally accepted evidence that goes
  against the Young Earth theory
• Tree ring record back 8,200 years
• Radio Carbon Dating shows fossils that are
  millions of years old
• RCD and fossil record show gradual evolution from
  simple to complex NOT all at once!