Post by Daniel on Aug 4, 2015 7:51:38 GMT -5
In the Beginning
Jim Fletcher
Aug 3, 2015
Terry Mortenson, a Ph.D research scientist for Answers in Genesis, has written a very insightful article that I’d like to share with the RR audience. It has relevance for the Israel issue.
answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/adam-and-eve/defense-of-historical-adam/
Mortenson makes the following critical point:
“Few evangelicals doubt the historicity of Genesis 12–50, but there is no break in the literary style between chapters Genesis 11 and Genesis 12.”
This is important, because while few evangelicals doubt the historicity of those chapters, many do doubt the historicity of Genesis 1-11. When one does this, it sends a message to the wider culture that Genesis 12-50 is open to other interpretations as well.
In other words, if you don’t believe the first eleven chapters are real history, why would you believe 12-50 is real history?
This single line of thought has virtually destroyed the faith of Millennials.
Witness the short video of uber-CEO pastor Andy Stanley discussing how he jettisoned total faith in Genesis 1-11 as history, when he was a college freshman. Stanley made it clear that as the professor attacked the historicity of Genesis, he (Stanley) was also swept up in that philosophical view.
Not surprisingly, Stanley is now going far to the left regarding various social issues. Although he doesn’t venture into the firestorm of the Arab-Israeli conflict, virtually all his friends in ministry do side with the Palestinians.
Stanley does not hold Scripture in high regard. Therefore, his seeker-driven approach to church produces paper-thin biblical worldview for his audiences.
Until very recently, those identifying as Christian leaders — like the apostate John Shelby Spong — cast doubt on the historicity of Genesis, while at the same time claiming to battle anti-Semitism.
There’s nothing more anti-Semitic than claiming Genesis is myth, which Spong did and does.
My point in all this is, one of many points of attack aimed at Israel is to deny her history. Everywhere, we hear self-described Christian leaders claim there is no linkage between modern Israelis and the ancient Israelits.
Let me be clear: that is lunacy!
Can you imagine the claim that modern Chinese are not related to their ancient ancestors? Where did they come from, Pluto?
Mortenson’s point is well taken. When you begin doubting the beginnings of the Bible, it opens up all sorts of dark doors. There is no end to endless self-interpretation of Scripture.
Note 2 Peter 1:20—
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
We have no right to take the plain-sense meaning of Scripture and claim it means something else.
When that happens, a certain kind of pestilence sweeps across the Church: the locusts of liberal theology reimagine every book of the Bible, so that millions of students and laity consider that perhaps they are right. The Bible then becomes just another book of philosophy.
We who advocate for Israel are faced with a multitude of challenges. We would do well to face this one square-on: all of Genesis is historical, which cements the legitimacy of the Israelis today.
In order to effectively advocate for Israel, we must start at the beginning.
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap15.html
Jim Fletcher
Aug 3, 2015
Terry Mortenson, a Ph.D research scientist for Answers in Genesis, has written a very insightful article that I’d like to share with the RR audience. It has relevance for the Israel issue.
answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/adam-and-eve/defense-of-historical-adam/
Mortenson makes the following critical point:
“Few evangelicals doubt the historicity of Genesis 12–50, but there is no break in the literary style between chapters Genesis 11 and Genesis 12.”
This is important, because while few evangelicals doubt the historicity of those chapters, many do doubt the historicity of Genesis 1-11. When one does this, it sends a message to the wider culture that Genesis 12-50 is open to other interpretations as well.
In other words, if you don’t believe the first eleven chapters are real history, why would you believe 12-50 is real history?
This single line of thought has virtually destroyed the faith of Millennials.
Witness the short video of uber-CEO pastor Andy Stanley discussing how he jettisoned total faith in Genesis 1-11 as history, when he was a college freshman. Stanley made it clear that as the professor attacked the historicity of Genesis, he (Stanley) was also swept up in that philosophical view.
Not surprisingly, Stanley is now going far to the left regarding various social issues. Although he doesn’t venture into the firestorm of the Arab-Israeli conflict, virtually all his friends in ministry do side with the Palestinians.
Stanley does not hold Scripture in high regard. Therefore, his seeker-driven approach to church produces paper-thin biblical worldview for his audiences.
Until very recently, those identifying as Christian leaders — like the apostate John Shelby Spong — cast doubt on the historicity of Genesis, while at the same time claiming to battle anti-Semitism.
There’s nothing more anti-Semitic than claiming Genesis is myth, which Spong did and does.
My point in all this is, one of many points of attack aimed at Israel is to deny her history. Everywhere, we hear self-described Christian leaders claim there is no linkage between modern Israelis and the ancient Israelits.
Let me be clear: that is lunacy!
Can you imagine the claim that modern Chinese are not related to their ancient ancestors? Where did they come from, Pluto?
Mortenson’s point is well taken. When you begin doubting the beginnings of the Bible, it opens up all sorts of dark doors. There is no end to endless self-interpretation of Scripture.
Note 2 Peter 1:20—
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
We have no right to take the plain-sense meaning of Scripture and claim it means something else.
When that happens, a certain kind of pestilence sweeps across the Church: the locusts of liberal theology reimagine every book of the Bible, so that millions of students and laity consider that perhaps they are right. The Bible then becomes just another book of philosophy.
We who advocate for Israel are faced with a multitude of challenges. We would do well to face this one square-on: all of Genesis is historical, which cements the legitimacy of the Israelis today.
In order to effectively advocate for Israel, we must start at the beginning.
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap15.html