Science

Genesis *Is* History

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How old is the universe? Billions of years? What if I told you it’s only 6,000-10,000 years old? To modern ears, that sounds absurd. But stop and think. If you look at the world today and keep in mind three unique events, it explains everything we see:

  1. A majestic universe built in a state of maturity by a personal, loving God
  2. A terrible curse due to human rebellion leading to sickness, disaster, injustice, and death
  3. A global flood, forming billions of fossils and thick layers of sediment across the planet

Taken together, these three events explain the world we live in today, and it wouldn’t have to be very old. Is Genesis history? Yes, I believe it is!

Henry Morris writes, “The geological and paleontological evidence is exactly what one would expect to find as the products of the Flood of Genesis. Those who deny the Bible record do so either from ignorance or because they have chosen to believe naturalistic and evolutionary (hence, atheistic) science over Scripture. The evolutionist does not accept the biblical record. The Lord Jesus, however, does (Luke 17:26-27).” (The Big Three: Major Events that Changed History Forever, p. 181 emphasis added).

Last year, I taught a class at Immanuel Baptist Church on Genesis. It was one of the more unusual classes I’ve taught, but based on the attendance and positive feedback I received afterward, it was a topic that struck a nerve and was of great help. Basically, we studied the first eleven chapters of the Bible, including the accounts of creation, fall, and flood. But instead of strictly going verse by verse, we sprinkled in theology and virtual “field trips” led by experts in the fields of geology, paleontology, biology, chemistry, zoology, and more.

The result was a nine-week series called “Is Genesis History?” I highly recommend your church go through it! Here’s the full-length documentary, and here’s a link to the Bible Study Guide.

As I taught the class, I tried to record each week and provide some handouts to supplement the Bible Study material. Links are below. I hope more of you will watch and share this material. Our class found it both encouraging and thought-provoking.

Week 1 – Introducing to the Doctrine of Creation
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Week 2 – God’s Wondrous Works
(blog post | audio recording)

Week 3 – Continue Documentary: “Is Genesis History?
(link to full-length film)

Week 4 – The Doctrine of Revelation
(handout)

Week 5 – The Doctrine of Creation
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Week 6 – The Doctrine of God’s Image
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Bonus: Field Trip to Devil’s Punchbowl
(blog post | field guide)

Week 7 – Adam, Eve, & the First Sin
(audio recording | handout)

Week 8 – The Doctrine of Judgment
(audio recording | handout)

Week 9 – The Doctrine of Providence
(audio recording | handout)

Lastly here’s the entire set of teaching notes in one PDF file:

is-genesis-history-complete-teaching-packetDownload

Question: If you attended the class, what’s one thing that stood out to you?

Journal

Heading West

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Yesterday I accepted a call to become lead pastor of Calvary Church of West Hills. We’re humbled and excited by this opportunity.

Our time at Immanuel has been a joy. We’re grateful for the many friends we’ve made and a fruitful season of ministry. It’s impossible to put into words all the ways we’ve grown and been blessed.

Now I am eager to get back into a lead pastor role and regular pulpit ministry. West Hills is on the west end of the San Fernando Valley, near Canoga Park and Woodland Hills. It takes us full circle back to LA County, where Natalie and I first met in 1996 when we attended the Master’s College and then I went on to The Master’s Seminary.

Calvary Church is an SBC church, so we look forward to continuing our partnership with our SBC family.

To God be the glory!

Teaching

Count the Stars

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Have you ever looked up at the night sky and tried to count the stars? In Genesis 15, God invites Abram to do just that, if he is able.

The number of stars on a clear night seems almost infinite, though in reality they number only in the thousands. According to this Sky & Telescope article, about 4,500 stars are visible to the naked eye. With a decent set of binoculars, the number increases to 217,000. And with a basic 3″ telescope, the number skyrockets to 5.3 million stars. That’s only the tip of the iceberg! Astronomers now know the stars and galaxies number in the billions and trillions. (Want your mind blown? Check out this deep space image).

All that to say, God promised Abram a family that would defy comprehension.

In this study of Genesis 15-16, we learn…

  • How to understand the flow of Genesis
  • More than once, a “miracle baby” would advance God’s rescue plan
  • How God shows mercy by waiting to destroy the Amorites
  • The Protestant doctrine of “justification by faith” found here in Genesis
  • Covenants are a key to understanding our Bible
  • Growing in patience as we trust and obey God

This lesson was taught in yesterday’s median Adults BSC. Here’s the audio recording:

And here’s a copy of the handout:

gen-15-abrahamic-covenant-bscDownload


Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

Special thanks to Gloris Young for providing today’s artwork.

Teaching

The Rainbow Connection

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Rainbows and rainbow flags may conjure a different image today, but the rainbow was originally designed to remind us of a special promise from God. In this study of Genesis 9, we learn…

  • What people were allowed to eat for the first time after Noah’s flood
  • A poetic warning in Genesis 9:6
  • Is it inhumane to kill animals?
  • Even if you aren’t a murderer, you’ve likely done this…
  • How a weapon of war became a token of grace

We looked at this chapter last month in our median adults Bible Study Community. Here’s the audio recording:

And here’s a copy of the lesson handout:

gen-9-noahic-covenant-bscDownload


Thanks for listening. For a complete list of my sermons and Bible studies arranged topically and by book of the Bible, please visit my sermon hub page.

Special thanks to Gloris Young for providing today’s artwork.

Journal

Dr. Larry Pettegrew is with the Lord

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This week, I learned that Dr. Larry Pettegrew passed away. Dr. Pettegrew joins a growing list of mentors who are now with the Lord who were once my professors at The Master’s Seminary including Robert Thomas, Jim Rosscup, and Trevor Craigen. This “dream team” of humble scholars loved Christ and dedicated their lives to training others. How thankful I am to God for each of them!

My favorite memories of Dr. Pettegrew are those times in TH706 Theology IV when he would open the scriptures and discuss matters of discontinuity between theological systems, or go into detail about our coming hope in Christ. Dr. Pettegrew shared five reasons he was a premillenialist:

  1. Literal interpretation
  2. Biblical covenants
  3. Old Testament prophecies (Major and Minor Prophets)
  4. Romans 9-11
  5. Revelation 20

Through it all, Dr. Pettegrew reminded us to be charitable toward others. “There is always a danger that important theology will be compromised for the sake of unity. On the other hand, we are for unity as much as possible.”

Growing up dispensationalist, I knew I could be wrong, and that like a Berean, I needed to search the scriptures to see if these things were true. For me, Dr. Pettegrew’s life and teaching made a compelling case for ethnic unity in the gospel, yet an ongoing distinction between Israel and the Church that does justice to the biblical texts and provides abundant hope for Christ’s second coming. I am now, as much as ever, a convinced believer in the premillennial return of Christ in part because of the ministry of Dr. Pettegrew.

“The doctrine of eschatology is very practical and uplifting!” he said. “Someone who is depressed can be encouraged to know the best is yet ahead.”

Now, Larry Pettegrew’s faith has become sight. Whatever questions remain about end times prophecy and the relationship of the “already” to the “not yet,” these things have been eclipsed by happiness in the presence of Christ. Thank you, Dr. Pettegrew, for your faithful ministry and for pouring into the lives of so many others. Enter into the joy of your Master.

Thoughts on Life and Leadership