The teaching of Genesis 1 – 3 on the creation and fall of man can present some difficulties for Bible teachers. We live in a world where evolution has been taught in public schools.
Some religious circles will add God to the equation — theistic evolution — at least removing the atheistic approach.
- Bible teachers will have students who have been indoctrinated with this belief system.
- Bible teachers themselves may have been indoctrinated with this evolutionary approach to life.
Do you know where all of your church’s Bible teachers stand on the literal, historical truth of Genesis? If your teachers waver on that, you may have teachers who do not hold to the inerrant, inspired, authoritative Word of God, and will thus not present to their students a God worthy of their all and a Gospel that makes a difference.
Wavering on the Veracity of Creation is a Problem with the Authority of God’s Word
Genesis does not allude to creation as a symbolic description but rather presents it as a literal, historical event. And, other parts of Scripture support the Genesis account.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. (Ps. 33:6)
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Ps. 33:9)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Heb. 11:3)
— If the very beginning of God’s Word can be reinterpreted without any real basis for doing so to fit into the evolutionary framework, why would we not be able to pick and choose any other part we don’t want to accept? Why should we trust anything in the Bible if God didn’t really mean what He said? How do we know what to believe and what not to believe?
Believing in Evolution Leaves you with a Problem with the God of the Bible
Throughout the Word, from Genesis to Revelation, you will find reference to God as the Creator. If it didn’t really happen the way the Bible describes it, why refer to God as the Creator, the Maker of the heavens and earth? Why are we told to worship Him as such?
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people . . . (Ps. 100:2-3)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Rev. 4:11)
We would worship the Creator God because He is the One of whom there is none greater. He is all-powerful, able to speak a word and bring into existence something out of nothing. He is all-wise and all-knowing, able to fit it all together with such variety and design. He is sovereign over all, able to sustain what He has created and give purpose to it.
— Without a literal view of Genesis, how will Bible teachers present to their students a God worthy of following and giving their all?
Denying the Literal, Historical Account in Genesis is a Problem for the Gospel Message
Genesis provides a foundational understanding of sin and need for a Savior. If creation did not happen as the Bible says, why should we believe that the Garden of Eden and the fall of man is anything more than a myth? What is the significance of it all?
Further, the Bible claims that Jesus was involved in the creation of the world (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-18). His very being must therefore be called into question. What is written about Him would be a lie so why should we trust Him with our soul and eternal destiny?
— If the beginning chapters of Genesis are not to be taken literally, why should people take the part about Jesus, His death, and resurrection seriously? Why would they need Jesus?
In the next post you will find nine tips for Bible teachers for teaching on creation.