There are some observations about Genesis 3:1 – 24 (here @ Bible Gateway) we should investigate. This will take a couple of days to cover…
The first set of observations is on the schemes of the enemy.
Genesis 3:1 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “Has God said…?”
The first weapon in the enemy’s arsenal is to call the Word of God into question. He does this either by directly challenging what the Word says or else works at trying to convince us that the text does not say what it says.
A cursory review of the media, some churches, some denominations, some “Christian” authors or scholars will quickly validate that this is not only first but one of his most effective tools.
Genesis 3:4 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “You surely will not die!”
The second weapon is used hot on the heels of the first. Emphatically contradict the Word of God; calling God a liar. Again this is evident in our culture. We are not bad people! Man is basically good! There is no God! This is usually done in a way that requires one to engage in an argument. Typically, it is couched in terms that are a logical fallacy. “Are you foolish enough to still believe the creation account?” Which is a complex question forcing you to defend two positions for which no evidence has been presented.
Genesis 3:5 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “You will be like God…”
The third weapon is to promise equality with God. In the case of Adam and Eve to emphasize knowledge over relationship with God. It could be the tagline for most cults. It is also a subtle trap those of us who love and revere the Word of God too often fall. We become enamored of the content of the Word over our relationship with the One whom it reveals.
Tomorrow we will consider the impact and response of man to these weapons.
Genesis 3:1 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “Has God said…?”
The first weapon in the enemy’s arsenal is to call the Word of God into question. He does this either by directly challenging what the Word says or else works at trying to convince us that the text does not say what it says.
A cursory review of the media, some churches, some denominations, some “Christian” authors or scholars will quickly validate that this is not only first but one of his most effective tools.
Genesis 3:4 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “You surely will not die!”
The second weapon is used hot on the heels of the first. Emphatically contradict the Word of God; calling God a liar. Again this is evident in our culture. We are not bad people! Man is basically good! There is no God! This is usually done in a way that requires one to engage in an argument. Typically, it is couched in terms that are a logical fallacy. “Are you foolish enough to still believe the creation account?” Which is a complex question forcing you to defend two positions for which no evidence has been presented.
Genesis 3:5 (here @ Bible Gateway) – “You will be like God…”
The third weapon is to promise equality with God. In the case of Adam and Eve to emphasize knowledge over relationship with God. It could be the tagline for most cults. It is also a subtle trap those of us who love and revere the Word of God too often fall. We become enamored of the content of the Word over our relationship with the One whom it reveals.
Tomorrow we will consider the impact and response of man to these weapons.
I was taught that Genesis is the "Book of Beginnings." As I have studied many of the issues that area alive both in the Body and wider culture these days it has occurred to me that going back to the "Beginnings" would help us negotiate the changing landscape of our current culture. Sexuality, gender identity and Christian marriage leap to mind. We need, as believers, a solid foundation from which to engage our friends who believe differently or are confused as well as Christian parents who struggle with helping their teen and young adolescent children through this difficult phase.
ReplyDeleteI just heard a PBS radio interview of a young lady who was raised in a Evangelical Christian home and church, was home-schooled but was struggling with the sense of being transgender but didn't have the freedom to explore it with her parents. Her dad worked for a nationally-known Christian ministry. When she finally "came out" to them she was totally humiliated and rejected by the father for "embarrassing" him and his parents have not spoken to her since.
This, in my limited experience, is not an isolated experience. All these issues are not addressed in Genesis 1-3 in detail; the N.T. desperately needs to brought into this as well. But where is this sort of thing really dealt with in a full-orbed Biblical way?
I pray regularly for may grandchildren and their parents for great grace and Biblical courage to help them through these treacherous waters.