Human Failure in Genesis

Lesson 7: The Near Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)

Lesson 7: The Near Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)

A straight reading of the chapter has God testing Abraham by seeing if he will kill his beloved son. Scholars differ widely on what to make of it. Some think it indicates the great demands God makes on us. Some think it describes how God provides animal sacrifice to cover human sin. And others even […]

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Lesson 6: God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-22)

Lesson 6: God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-22)

Chapters 1- 11 could be regarded as the introduction to Genesis. The plot begins with Abraham in chapter 12. In fact, if you looked at the story that runs through the Bible, these chapters could serve as the setting for it as well. God begins saving his creation with Father Abraham. One of the best […]

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Lesson 5:  Evil Pervades (Genesis 6:1-8:19)

Lesson 5: Evil Pervades (Genesis 6:1-8:19)

It seems strange that Noah and the Ark ( Genesis 8:20-9:28) has become a beloved children’s Bible story. You have to question what we are teaching our young people. Sadly, it is usually presented as a precaution about being good so God does not punish you–  something like behaving or Santa Claus will not bring […]

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Lesson 4: Consequences of Humanity’s Failure

Lesson 4: Consequences of Humanity’s Failure

Genesis maintains when we are not in a proper relationship with God, all other relationships are corrupted. That pertains to humans as well as all other parts of the creation. The narrative labels violence as the big sin. Humans were vegetarians until Noah’s time when God made allowances for violently killing and eating other living […]

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Lesson 3: Humanity’s Failure

Lesson 3: Humanity’s Failure

After examining the goodness of creation and humanity’s task in caring for it, Genesis spends several chapters on our failure. Again it is clear we are not dealing with historical events so much as the meaning of ancient stories that try to express humanity’s alienation from God. The rather bizarre narrative and four stories maintain […]

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