Questions About The Exodus

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“He sent Moses His servant and Aaron whom he had chosen. They performed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham . . . He also brought them out with silver and gold . . . Egypt was glad they departed, for fear of them had fallen upon them” (Psalm 105:26-28).

“He rebuked the Red Sea also and it dried up; so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them out of the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their enemies; there was not one of them left” (Psalm 106:9-11).

“He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand like a heap. In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.” (Psalms 78:13-14)

“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea . . . But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness . . . Therefore let him who think he stands take heed lest he falls” (1 Corinthians 10:1-12).

The Exodus fascinates Bible Students. Charlton Heston’s 1956 movie, – The Ten Commandments; was a big hit. Wikipedia says “it is . . . one of the most financially successful films ever made, grossing $122.7 Million at the box office during its initial release; it was the most successful film in 1956, and the second highest grossing film of the decade . . . it is the seventh most successful film of all time when the box office gross is adjusted for inflation.”

There are common questions asked about the Exodus. This writing will provide concise answers to some of these common questions.

1.  Do the ten plagues have special significance?

Many believe that the ten plagues were attacks on the various gods of Egypt. Consider:

(1) Waters to blood (Exodus 7:14-25). Rex Turner, Sr., “This plague was a wonderful stroke at the idolatry of the Egyptians for both the Pharaoh and the people worshipped the river Nile” (The Book of Exodus, 1987 Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship, p.94). Hapi was the god of the Nile. Jehovah was showing His power over their “god.” (2) Frogs (Exodus 8:1-5). Rex Turner Sr., “This was also a wonderful stroke at the idolatry of the Egyptians. These people worshipped the amphibian animals, and they displayed Heka, a frog headed goddess . . .” (ibid, p.96) This goddess was considered the goddess of birth. Jehovah was showing His power over this “goddess.” (3) Lice (Exodus 8:16-19). The term is uncertain. Some think it refers not to “lice” but “gnats,” or “ticks.” Rex Turner Sr., suggest that this was an attack on the Egyptian priesthood. They were obsessed with cleanliness and would not carry out their duties if such pests were upon them (ibid, p.97).(4) Flies (Exodus 8:20-31). One writer said, “Judgment was upon either Re or Uatchit who were both depicted as flies” (gotquestion.org). Rex Turner Sr., “This plague was another wonderful stroke at the idolatry of Egyptians, for those Egyptians feared and worshiped those flies” (ibid, p 98). (5) Disease on the livestock (Exodus 9:1-7). Rex Turners Sr., “This plague was another wonderful stroke at the idolatry of Egyptians, for they worshipped domesticated animals” (ibid, p 100). James Coffman commented, ‘Like all the plaques, this one also struck at the pagan deities of Egypt. This one was Ptah (Apis) the god of Memphis, represented as a bull, as well as other gods represented by goat, the ram, the cow and other animals” (commentary on Exodus). (6) Boils (Exodus 9:8-11). Rex Turner Sr., “This plague was another wonderful stroke at the idolatry of Egyptians. The Egyptians worshipped the idol Typhon, This idol consisted of a grate wherein the Egyptians burned (Sacrifices) . . . then Egyptians were under the wild conception that if a particle of their ashes fell upon a person, that person would be safe from body defilement” (ibid, p. 101). There were several gods of health including Sekhmet, Sunu, and Isis. This could also be an attack upon them. (7) Hail (Exodus 9:13-35) Rex Turner Sr., ‘The Egyptians worshipped the fig tree, the peach tree, the pomegranate tree, wheat, barely sorghum and the vine” (ibid, p.102). (8) Locust (Exodus 10:1-20). Rex Turner Sr., “These Egyptians worshipped the verdue of the land; that is, they worshipped all nature’s beautiful growth which came in addition to the food growth of the several food-producing vegetables” (ibid, p. 103). (9) Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29). Rex Turner Sr., This period of thick darkness was another wonderful stroke at the idolatries worship of the Egyptians, for they regularly worshipped the sun, the moon, and the stars.” (ibid, p. 104-105). “Darkness was aimed at the god, Re, who was symbolized by Pharaoh himself” (gotquestions.org) (10) Death of first-born (Exodus 11:1-12; 30). This was “judgment on Isis, the protector of children” (gotquestions.org).

Another theory is that this ties to creation. Ten times in Genesis 1, it says, “God said” (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29). There are ten plagues. The plagues affected all of creation: water (Genesis 1:9); water animals (Genesis 1:20); land animals (Genesis 1:24); man (Genesis 1:26); plants (Genesis 1:11; 29) and the firmament (Genesis 1:11, 29); visible light (Genesis 1:3; 14); man’s offspring (Genesis 1:28). Thus, God is over all. This is an interesting theory, but Exodus does not follow the creation order which would make such easier to see if this is the point.

2.  Could the waters have been parted by natural means alone?

Many, who have difficulty with believing in the super-natural, sometimes look for natural explanations for biblical events. This is an attempt to remove God from the true history of these events. This is the common approach by A & E, Discovery and The History Channel. Be careful when listening to such television programming about Biblical events.

Some have postulated that the dry land appearing and the water returning upon the Egyptians can be explained by a tsunami. However, this does not seem to fit the Biblical record. The sea was “a wall to them on their right side and on their left” (Exodus 14:22). “He divided the sea . . . He made the water stand up like a heap” (Psalm 78:13). This is not water ebbing and flowing in one direction. This I the parting of waters, and waters standing like walls on each side of them.

Some have postulated that the answer is in “wind setdown” wind setdown is the opposite effect as storm surge. The wind blows the water back. Trevor Major explains, “Doran Nof and Nathan Paldor suggests that the wind in Exodus 14:21 pushed the waters in the Gulf of Suez toward the main body of the Red Sea, thus exposing the sea bed . . . . The authors calculate that a northwesterly wind blowing at around 45 miles per hour for 10 hours could lower the sea level 8 feet, and cause the shore to receded ¾ of a mile. Recognizing that the Bible specifies water on both sides of the fleeing Israelites (Exodus 14:22; 29), Nof and Paldor further purpose that a ridge existed across the gulf in biblical times” (AP Article: Parting The Red Sea: Scripture Or Speculation, Nov 1992).

Trevor Major points out several problems with this theory:

(a) the wind in Exodus 14:21 was from the east and not the northwest, as this model would seem to require. (b) There is no evidence of an east-west ridge beneath the Gulf of Suez, either now or then. (c) The Bible does not just refer to water on both sides, but to a “wall of water on the left and right” (Exodus 14:22; 29).   Wind setdown moves water in one direction. (d) However this was accomplished, the text credits the LORD and not nature randomly acting. Though, it does seem that God used wind in some way in this crossing of the sea. He may have used wind to part the sea, or He may have used wind to dry the ground.

3. Did they cross the Red Sea or the reed sea?

Some have suggested that they did not cross the Red Sea, but the reed sea, a shallow marsh farther north. Why the suggestion? The Hebrew term is yam-sup. The first word, yam, means “sea.” However, the second word, sup, is not the Hebrew word for “red.” Some suggest that sup may be a corruption of an Egyptian word. Trevor Major says, “The favorite candidate . . . is the Egyptian phase Pa-tjuf, meaning “papyrus marshes.” The idea is that the Hebrews borrowed sup from the Egyptian to speak about papyrus reeds” (ibid).

There are several difficulties with this view: (a) the location of the yam-sup does not fit a papyrus marsh near or on the Nile Delta (Numbers 33:10-11). The location spoken of is thought to be on the Sinai Peninsula. (b) Solomon located his fleet of ships on the yum sup (1 Kings 9:26). “This ancient port was at the northern end of the Gulf of Aquba” (ibid). (c) The New Testament writers used the Greek words meaning “Red Sea” (Acts 7:36; Hebrews 11:29). (d) The water is refered to as “the great deep” (Isaiah 51:6).  Keep in mind that the water they crossed was deep enough to destroy the Egyptians. “The sea returned to its full depth . . . so the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea . . . the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and the all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained . . . Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore” (Exodus 14:27-31).

So how should sup be translated? It may be related to the Hebrew sop meaning “end” (ibid). The Red Sea connects to the Indian Ocean and things south. It was the end waters to the south for these people.

Admittedly the exact location of the crossing is not certain. Some dispute even which arm of the Red Sea was crossed. However, it appears to this writer that it was the Red Sea which was crossed.

4.   Did the Israelites steal from the Egyptians?

This question is asked due to the reading found in the King James Version.  It says that the Israelites “borrowed” of the Egyptians jewels of silvers, and jewels of gold, and raiment (Exodus 12:35; 3:22; 11:2).  Moreover, it says that the Egyptians “lent” such to them (Exodus 12:36).  Furthermore, they left Egypt with silver and gold (Psalm 105:37).  Yet, the Bible says “The wicked borrows and does not repay” (Psalm 37:21).

The New King James used the words “asked” and “granted.”  The original word means “ask” (Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius Lexicon).  It can mean “ask… for temporary use i.e. borrow…  it is however, not clear that there is any pretext of mere temporary use” (ibid).  The term can also mean “let one ask [successfully], give or lend on request” (ibid).  Adam Clark, “The original word shaal signifies simply to ask, request, demand, require, inquire, etc., but it does not signify to borrow in the proper sense of that word, though in a very few places of scripture it is thus used” (Commenting on Exodus 3:22).

This was slavery reparations.  God had promised such (Genesis 15:14).  The asking was instructed by God (Exodus 3:21-22; 11:1-2; 12:35-36).

5.  How did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?

While the Bible says that God, in some way, hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 4:21; 9:12; 10:1; 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; 14:8), it also says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15; 8:32; 9:34; 9:35).  Therefore, it must be that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart indirectly and not directly, mediately and not immediately.

Consider: (1) Pharaoh’s heart was hardened after his magicians were able to simulate the signs done through Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7:10-13; 7:19-23).  (2) Pharaoh’s heart was hardened after God gave him “relief” from plagues (Exodus 8:12-15; 8:29-32; 9:34-35).  While the plagues were in progress, Pharaoh’s heart was softened (Exodus 8:8; 8:24-25; 9:27-28; 10:4-8).  He even acknowledged personal sin (Exodus 9:27; 10:16-17).  However, when relief was granted, he hardened his heart.  (3) Pharaoh’s heart was hardened when learning of Israelite exemption (Exodus 9:6-7).  Guy Woods said, “The first three plagues… appear to have fallen upon all the territory of Egypt, and thus to have included the enslaved Israelites.  From the fourth… to the tenth… the land of Goshen where the Israelites had their houses were granted immunity (or at least provision for immunity cf. Exodus 12:21-23, B.H.) from the affliction which fell upon the people of Egypt (Questions and Answers, Vol. 2, p. 162).  Israelites were exempted from at least  some of the plagues (Exodus 8:21-23; 9:3-6; 9:25-26, 29; 10:21-23; 11:5-7).  Some non-Israelites may have been wise enough and God-fearing enough to prepare for some of the plagues (Exodus 9:18-20; 12:38).

Man today can be hardened the same ways.  (1) Some allow false teachers to deceive them into rejecting God’s words (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 1 Kings 22:5-25, 28).  God will let man hear and see things to justify in his mind his actions, if he does not really want to follow God’s word.  (2) Some turn to God when times are bad, but forget Him when things get better.  (3) Some allow envy to lead to bitterness and hardness of heart.

6.  Did Pharaoh’s magicians work real miracles?

Consider the following: (1) The used “enchantments” (NKJV) or “secret arts” (ESV) according to Exodus 7:11.  Rex Turner Sr. remarked, “Magicians had some knowledge of the laws of nature which were not accessible to people in general” (Daniel, p. 32).  Perhaps, this is so.  (2) Magicians and wisemen could not do everything.  They did not possess all knowledge  (Genesis 41:8; Daniel 2:1-3, 17).  They did not possess all power (Exodus 8:16-19). (3) When the magicians of Egypt had prior knowledge of what they were to duplicate, they were able to do so (Exodus 7:17-18; 8:1-7).  Even in the case of the rod becoming a serpent Pharaoh’s magicians had same advanced warning.  Darrell Conley has written, “Pharaoh sent for his magicians… you can be sure they knew what was required of them before they got there” (The Gospel Versus Occultism, p. 19).  (4) When they had no advanced warning, things were different (Exodus 8:16-19).  Darrell Conley has written, “It is both interesting and significant to note that Moses and Aaron announced beforehand that God would turn water to blood, and bring a plague of frogs upon Egypt.  Being forewarned, the magicians of Egypt were able to counterfeit these miracles.  But when, without prior announcement, Aaron smote the dust of the ground and produced lice, the magicians, caught off-guard were unable to imitate it.  It is also interesting to notice that in explaining and excusing their failure they told Pharaoh, regarding this production of lice by Aaron, ‘this is the finger of God'” (ibid).  (5) Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron to entreat the LORD to take away the frogs (Exodus 8:8-15).  Why did he not call for his magicians to do so?  Moreover, Have you noticed that they simulated water to blood, but they did not remove the blood and purify the water?  Have you noticed that they added frogs, instead of removing them?  Did they not have this power?  Wouldn’t it be more useful to undo a plague, than to reproduce it?  (6) There are fake miracles.  (a) Simon evidently performed such (Acts 8:9-13).  (b) Elymas did so (Acts 13:8-12).  (c) Consider the words of 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.  Leon Crouch commented, “the word ‘lying’ evidently describes all three nouns: powers, signs, wonders” (1 & 2 Thessalonians, p. 126).  (7) Clever magicians can do amazing things.  Such does not mean that supernatural power is involved.  I see no reason to conclude that supernatural power was involved in what the Egyptian magicians did.

Adam Clark  commented “If it be asked why God did suffer the Egyptian magicians… it was necessary that these magicians should be suffered to exert the utmost of their power against Moses, in order to clear him from the imputation of magic or sorcery; for as the nation of such an extraordinary art was very rife not only among the Egyptians, but all other nations, if they had not entered into this strenuous competition with him, and had been at length overcome by him, both the Hebrews and the Egyptians would have been apter to have attributed all his miracles to his skill in magic, than to the Divine power” (Commenting on Exodus 7:22).

7.  How long were the children of Israel in Egypt?

Many people believe that they were in Egypt 430 years (Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40-41; Acts 7:6).  However, it seems to me that the 430 years refers to the entire sojourn in Canaan and Egypt (Galatians 3:16-17).

Josephus indicates that they were in Egypt 215 years (Ant. 2:318).  It was 215 years from Haran to Egypt (Genesis 12:4 cf. 21:5 cf. 25:26 cf. 47:8-9).  If 430 years included the entire sojourn, then they would be in Egypt 215 years.  It is much easier to make 215 years fit with the genealogical record.  Kohath was the grandfather of Moses (1 Chronicles 6:1-3; 23:12-13).  He seems to have been born before the Israelites went into Egypt (Genesis 46:11).  He lived 133 years (Exodus 6:18).  Moses father Amram lived 137 years (Exodus 6:20).  Moses was 80 years old at the time of the Exodus (Exodus 7:7).  How can one get to 430 years?

Some might wonder if they could get to an estimated population of 2 million people at the time of the Exodus, if they had only 215 years in Egypt [Remember that we know that there were 603,550 males numbered at Sinai (Numbers 1:45-46)].  Henry Morris suggested that such was indeed possible.  He wrote, “with an initial number of five people (Jacob and his four wives), they had already became a clan of, say one hundred people (that is, the seventy mentioned in Genesis 46:27 plus the wives of the sons and grandsons who accompanied them into Egypt).  This growth had taken place in approximately fifty years, representing on average increase of over 6 percent each year.  With a population of one hundred when they entered Egypt and over two million when they left… this large growth rate of 5 percent annually, for example, would increase the population from one hundred to two million in only 215 years” (The Genesis Record, p. 642).

 

Posted in Apologetics, Evidence, exodus, Stats, Textual study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

On August 2, 1964 the American destroyer Maddox was engaged by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.  President Lyndon Johnson warned Hanoi of “the grave consequences which would inevitably result from any further unprovoked offensive military action against U.S. forces” [U.S. Senate, ‘The Gulf of Tonkin, the 1964 incidents,” hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations, 90th Congress, 2nd session, February 20, 1968, page 10 (as recorded in “Inner Circles” by Alexander Haig, p. 117)].  The events of August 2, 1964 are facts beyond question.

On August 4, 1964 the U.S.S. Maddox and the U.S.S. Turner Joy were on duty in the Gulf of Tonkin.  On that day the Maddox’s sonar picked up what appeared to be enemy torpedoes.  The Turner Joy’s sonar registered no such torpedo contact.

This incident sparked a reaction. Later in that same day, an air response occurred, ordered by Johnson.  Later in the same month, both the House and the Senate voted to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving the President greater authority to use military power to defend South Vietnam against Communist aggression.

But was the Maddox really fired upon on August 4, 1964?  A Captain Herrick reported hours before the response that there was a reason to doubt he initial report.  He said, “Review of action makes many recorded contacts and torpedoes fired appear doubtful.  Freak weather effects an overeager sonar-man may have accounted for many reports.  No actual visual sightings by Maddox suggest complete evaluation before any further action.” [Senate, page 57 (as recorded in “Inner Circle,” p.123)].  This message wasn’t passed on from the Pacific fleet headquarters to the Pentagon in time to halt the response.

Alexander Haig, Jr. (who would later be White House Chief of Staff under Nixon, and later Supreme Commander in Europe, and still later Secretary of State under Reagan) at this time was a deputy Special Assistant under the Secretary of Defense McNamara, and his deputy Cyrus Vance.  He wrote of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, “…the North Vietnamese almost certainly did not attach the Maddox and the Turner Joy, or any other United States naval vessel, on the day in question.  This fact was known without reasonable doubt to the Johnson administration within weeks after the incident…An internal investigation of the incident by the Pentagon… established that the noises identified by the Maddox’s sonar-man as enemy torpedoes were, in fact, the sounds of the Destroyer’s own wake…” (Inner Circles by Alexander M. Haig, Jr., p. 122). He also writes, ” The impulse to fight the war with American troops had been present…the Gulf of Tonkin incident merely provided the pretext…” (ibid)

My aim is not to argue whether or not the U.S. should have fought the war in Vietnam. This is an entirely different issue. Such has been debated for decades.

My aim is to use these details to make a spiritual application. Some times we rush to judgment believing the worst. We should not rashly to rush to judgment. Consider the following passages – 1 Timothy 5:22, “do not lay hands on anyone hastily” ; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Test all things”;  Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”  Do not believe an evil report before carefully considering the evidence. Make sure that you have the true facts.  Doesn’t the golden rule demand such (Matthew 7:12)? Far too many brethren accept unsubstantiated rumors, gossip, and hearsay.

Posted in Ethics, Judgment, Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Words Mean Something

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

In Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1843, Alexander Campbell debated Nathan L. Rice, a Presbyterian.  The debate occurred between the dates of November 15th and December 2.  The daily sessions, on most days, was from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Six issues were debated: (1) The action or “mode” required in baptism – dipping, sprinkling, or pouring?; (2) The proper subject for baptism – can infants be properly baptized?; (3) The purpose of baptism – necessary for salvation?; (4) The administrator of baptism – must one be a licensed and ordained clergy to baptize?; (5) What influence did the Holy Ghost have in conversion – a direct or indirect influence?; (6) Human creeds – should we follow man-made creed books?

It’s the first issue (“mode” of baptism) that we turn our attention.  Campbell pressed the point: “baptize… it is incontrovertibly derived from bapto, and therefore inherits the proper meaning of the bap, which is ‘dip’; then it is not irresistibly evident that baptizo can never authorize or sanction any other action than dipping, or immersing, as found in Christ’s commission?” (page 57). Again he said, “Ancient Greek grammarians sometimes arranged their verbs in the form of trees, making the origin of the family the root… a great majority of our citizens are better reads in forests, fields, and gardens, than in the schools of philology or ancient languages.  Agriculturalists, horticulturists, botanists, will fully comprehend me when I say, in all the dominions of vegetable nature, untouched by human art, as the root, so is the stem, and so are the branches.  If the root be oak, the stem cannot be ash, nor the branches cedar… my first argument, then is found on the root bapto whose proper signification, all learned men say is dip, and whose main derivative is baptizo – which, by all the laws of philology, and all the laws of nature, never can, never did, and never will signify ‘to pour’ or ‘to sprinkle’.” (page 57-58).  So, Campbell’s first argument, on the first issue, was that words have meanings, and that this word transliterated “baptize” does not mean “to pour” or “to sprinkle.”

N.L. Rice was not without an argument.  He went to Revelation 19:13.  The Peshitta Syriac and Jerome’s Latin Vulgate (two old translations) have the word meaning “sprinkled” in their tongue, instead of “dipped” as in the King James Version (argument found on page 115).  Again, he pronounced his rebuttal saying: “I have already turned your attention to Revelation 19:13 where bapto has been translated by the word ‘sprinkle’.  But I omitted to state one important fact, viz; that not only the Syriac and Latin Vulgate, but the Ethiopic, one of the most ancient and valuable versions… translates bapto, in this passage, ‘to sprinkle’ (page 116).

Alexander Campbell’s response is recorded on page 119.  He pointed out that Origen, a writer of the second century, quoted from Revelation 19:13, the verse in question, but when he did, he did not use the derivative of bapto but of rantizo (meaning ‘sprinkle’).  He then said, “Now the probability is, that Origen quoted from another reading, or a more ancient copy; and if the Syriac copy alluded to was before Origen’s time, it would corroborate that conclusion.  The fact, also, that Jerome, the real author of the vulgate, has it he having been the translator of Origen’s Greek works into Latin, still more confirms a different reading.  Unless, then, it can be proved that they had the present reading before them, it is wholly idle to urge this solitary verse as an exception…” (page 119).

Let’s summarize: A. Campbell knew words meant something.  No, he knew of no manuscript that had in the Greek the word normally meaning ‘sprinkled’, within the questioned verse.  But he knew that bap referred to a dipping process and not sprinkling.

Nearly sixteen years later, on February 4, 1859, in a convent on Mt. Sinai, Codex Sinaiticus was found by a German – Tischendorf.  In that ancient manuscript Alexander Campbell’s theory of a different rendering was discovered to be true.  Revelation 19:13 had the word in question derived from raino (to sprinkle) and not bapto (to immerse, or dip).

Now the point is simply this: words have meaning.  When in a Bible study do not let people change the meaning of words on you.  Have courage in this area.

Posted in baptism, Plan of salvation, Textual varients, Word Study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Poverty and Immoral Behavior: Are They Necessarily Linked?

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

It is true that poverty, like wealth, provides an avenue for certain temptations to come our way (Proverbs 30:8-9).  We are all tempted in various ways.  Poverty comes with its own circumstances which Satan uses in his desire to lead us away from God and righteousness.

But is there a necessary link between poverty and theft and other immoral behavior?  Some social scientists and liberal politicians proclaim in essence that such is the case (often in order to get more funding for some inner-city program or project).  But are the two, poverty and criminal or immoral behavior necessarily linked?

A professor of economics at George Mason University, Walter Williams, has written: “The fact that Washington and Harlem have 80% illegitimacy has nothing to do with racism in America.  It has to do with 13, 14, and 15-year-old girls having sexual intercourse without the benefit of marriage.  In 1925, blacks were far poorer and there was more discrimination” (William J. Bennett, The Devaluing of America: The Fight for Our Culture and Our Children, page 190).

Two other professors, James Q. Wilson and Richard Hernstein of the University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard University, have written in their book, Crime and Human Nature: “During the 1960’s, one neighborhood in San Francisco had the lowest income, the highest unemployment rate, the highest proportion of families with incomes under $4,000 a year, the least educational attainment, the highest tuberculosis rate, and the highest proportion of substandard housing.. that neighborhood was called Chinatown.  Yet, in 1965, there were only five persons of Chinese ancestry committed to prison in the entire state of California” (William J. Bennett, The Index of Leading Cultural indicators: Facts and Figures on the State of American Society, page 21).

Another has written, “The Great Depression caused a level of poverty unknown to exist in America today, and yet, I have been unable to find any accounts of crime waves sweeping our large cities.  In fact, I can’t find reliable information that even documents a noticeable increase in crime, period, during the Great Depression.”  (Rush Limbaugh, See, I Told You So, page 83).  Again, he said, “Let me posit two facts that prove conclusively that there is no direct causal connection between poverty and crime: (1) Most poor people never resort to crime; and (2) even some wealthy people commit evil acts to enrich themselves further… Let’s probe even more deeply into this poverty-equals-crime myth.  Where, do you suppose, is the poorest community in the United States?  Harlem?  East Los Angeles?  The South side of Chicago?  Surprise, Surprise.  None of these famous ‘bad neighborhoods’ is even on the top ten list.  In fact, the most financially strapped areas in the United States are not even urban areas.  According to the latest U.S. Census report, the poorest communities in the United States is Shannon County, South Dakota, followed by Starr, Texas and Tunica, Mississippi.  When was the last time you heard that the residents of one of these communities rioted to protest their living conditions?” (page 282, note this was written in 1993).

Folks, here are the facts: (1) Not all poor folks live a life of crime and immorality.  This is true in the inner-city as well.  (2) Poverty is an external circumstance which brings certain temptations.  But, one need not give in to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever I am, to be content:  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).  (3) Even though men might have pity, emotionally speaking, upon the one who would steal food due to hunger, the old law did not exempt such a one (Proverbs 6:30-31).

Posted in Money, Proverbs, Sin, Stats, Temptation, Wealth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Feud Over Credit

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Morton/Jackson(1)

William Morton (1819-1868), was a dentist.  He was obsessed with one thing.  He said, “If only I could pull teeth painlessly, I would become the richest dentist in Boston, perhaps the entire world.”

Later, Morton studied medicine and chemistry under Dr. Charles Jackson (1805-1880).  Jackson was a brilliant man who seemed to know more than anyone about so many subjects. Morton learned a lot from Jackson.

Jackson also had a huge ego.  Jackson boasted many things.  He told folks that it was he was and not Samuel Morse that really deserved credit for inventing the telegraph.  He said he had shared such ideas with Morse years before and that Morse had gone on to get credit (of course there is some difference between having an idea, and developing the idea). Wikipedia lists five disputes he had with others over discoveries and inventions.

Morton began to tell Jackson of his dream to relieve pain.  Morton had already tried ether but was disappointed in the results.  Dr. Jackson said, “You must use the pure diethyl ether.  Buy it from Joseph Burnet.  His apothecary is the one that sells the pure grade.”  Morton experimented with diethyl either for many months.  He began to use the gas in removing teeth. Joseph Warren M.D. allowed Morton to demonstrate the gas in a full-blown surgery in 1846.  It worked well.  Morton was famous.  Morton patented his discovery.

Jackson then began to argue that he deserved the credit and not Morton.  England offered a generous prize to Morton for his work, but withdrew the offer when Jackson protested.  France offered a similar prize provided that both men would share it.  Morton refused  and neither received any money.  The Massachusetts General Hospital investigated and said that credit belonged to Morton, not Jackson.  But, the controversy didn’t go away.  In 1868, Morton read a newspaper article which gave credit to Jackson.  He got so angry  he immediately suffered a stroke and died a few days later.  Elizabeth, his wife, said, “The greatest personal tragedy in my husband’s life was his discovery of ether.”  Jackson also was so filled with hatred that when he saw Morton’s tombstone read, “William C. G. Morton – Inventor of anesthetic inhalation” he went totally and completely insane for the rest of his life.  He lived until 1880 in the McLean (insane) asylum.

Actually, it is now known that neither man was the true inventor.  That honor goes to Crawford W. Long, a Georgia doctor who used ether as early as 1842 in surgery.

Hall/Heroult(2)

In total contrast with the aforementioned story, consider these two men.

Charles Martin Hall of America (1863-1914), and Paul Heroult of France (1863-1914) both separately, and independently, discovered how to separate and refine aluminum inexpensively.  Their discoveries came close to the same time.  Hall was the first to patent the discovery, but Heroult actually was the first to discover the process about two months prior to Hall.  Hall had the American rights.  Heroult had the European rights.

Things could have gotten bogged down in arguing over credit.  International lawsuits could have followed.  But such did not happen.

The two became close friends.  They worked together and pooled their knowledge to improve the process even more.

Application

In the church, let us not fret about who gets credit.  What great things could be accomplished if we stopped worrying about such!  God knows what we do for Him (Proverbs 15:3; 1 Timothy 5:25; Hebrews 6:10;).   It is He that we ought to want to please( 2 Corinthians 5:9; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:15).

The apostle Paul was not concerned about who did the preaching (Philippians 1:15-18).  He simply rejoiced in the fact Christ was preached.  He did not want to make disciples of self but of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 2 Corinthians 3:3-7).

Brethren, it does not matter who is called on to lead singing, lead prayers, preach from the pulpit, or teach class, or serve at the table.  Let us not be envious over such.  Let us rejoice that songs of praise are sang, and prayers are addressed unto God, Christ is preached, the word of God is proclaimed, and the Lord’s Supper is observed.

 Notes:                                                                                                                                                      1. Exploring the History of Medicine, by John Hudson Tiner, p. 62-66.                                  2.  Exploring the History of Chemistry, by John Hudson Tiner, p. 120-123

 

 

Posted in Fellowship, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Deadly Ignorance

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Tin is a very commonly used metal.  Tin is used to form many alloys.  Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.  Pewter is an alloy of lead and tin.  Tin is used to make many different products from paper clips, staples, and safety pins to pistons in airplane engines.  Tin is used in solders, due to its low melting point.  It is used to make collapsible tubes, such as those used for toothpaste.  Tin plated steel cans, which we normally call “tin cans” are commonly used due to the fact that tin protects the steel from rusting, and is non-toxic, and does not discolor food.  (Peter Durand, an Englishman, patented the tin can in 1810).  Tin is used in wrapping candy.  Tin foil was once common but aluminum has now replaced tin in the making of foil because aluminum is far cheaper than tin, economically speaking.

Tin, however, has one great weakness.  Extreme cold weather turns tin gray and brittle.  John Hudson Tiner has written “one of the great tragedies of Antarctic exploration came about because of tin used to solder the seams of kerosene cans.  Captain Robert Scott, a British explorer, organized an expedition to try to be the first to reach the South Pole.  He led his party across 1,800 miles of ice and snow.  At regular intervals they stored fuel and food for their return.  They reached the South Pole on January 18, 1912.  Standing on the spot was a marker left there one month earlier by Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer. Disheartened, the men began their return journey into the face of a blizzard.  When the weary men arrived at food and fuel, the tin had turned to powder.  The Kerosene leaked through the seams.  The desperate men raced to the next cache.  The cans there were empty too.  The entire Scott party perished in the frozen wilderness, partly because of the little-known fact that tin becomes brittle at cold temperatures.” (Exploring the World of Chemistry, p.9).

Here’s the point.  God created physical laws that we live under and ignorance is no excuse.  Why should we think things will be different when it comes to God’s spiritual laws?  They won’t.  2 Thessalonians 1:8 tells us that Jesus will return “taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel..” Matthew 15:14 warns, “if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 2 Timothy 2 :15 admonishes, “Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God…rightly dividing the word of truth.”  1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs, “test all things …” Hear this: to be ignorant of God’s spiritual laws is of far greater consequence, than to be ignorant of physical laws.

Posted in Bible Study, Doctrine, Plan of salvation, science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mystery

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

The word “mystery” appears, in some form, 27 times in the KJV New Testament.  Some might wonder, if the Bible is a “mystery” can anyone understand it?  I believe this misses how this word is commonly used in the New Testament.  Let us notice…

1.  The word is used to refer to something(s) in God’s scheme of redemption and plan for man, which was once unknown to man in times past, or at least not clearly or fully revealed to man.  However, now God has revealed such through inspiration.  Romans 16:25-26: “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to My gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the word began but now made manifest, by the prophetic scriptures made known to all nations…”  Ephesians 2:18, 20; 3:3-5: “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father… having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone… by revelation He made known to me the mystery… by which when you read, you may understand… which in other ages was now made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.”  Colossians 1:26: “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations… now has been revealed to His saints.”  They mystery was revealed in the first century by inspired men.  Thus, the “mystery” is no longer a “mystery.”

2.   The mystery concerns the redemptive work of Christ.  1 Timothy 3:16: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit,  seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

It is true that there were hints of God coming in the flesh (Isaiah 9:6-7; 40:3; Micah 5:2) and hints of the Messiah’s death and resurrection (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53, etc.).  however, such was not clearly revealed or understood (Isaiah 53 cf. Acts 8:30-35).

3.  The mystery concerns the location of salvation.  Ephesians 1:7-10: “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins… having made known to us the mystery of His will… that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him.”  The words “gather together” literally means, “to head up.”  The words “in one” are supplied.  Christ has received “all authority… in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18), and “in Him” is redemption.

4.  The mystery concerns the inclusion of the Gentiles.  Ephesians 3:3-6: “How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery… that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel.”

It is true that there were hints (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 2:2; 62:1-2).  However, this was not clearly understood by either the Jews or the Gentiles.  It took Divine intervention to bring Jew and Gentile together (Acts 10-11).

 5.  The mystery concerns the relationship between Christ and the church.  Ephesians 5:22-32: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her… ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.’  This is a great mystery, but a speak concerning Christ and the church.”

Think of these parallels: (a) Both Adam and Jesus had their sides opened to receive their brides (Genesis 2:21-22 cf. John 19:34).  (b) Both received only one bride [Genesis 2 cf. Ephesians 4:4 (one body) cf. Ephesians 1:22-23 (the body is the church)].  (c) There is closeness (Genesis 2:23-24 cf. Ephesians 5:30-32).  (d) There is to be fidelity (Hebrews 13:4 cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2; James 4:4).  (e) The wife is to be submissive (Ephesians 5:22-23).  (f) The husband is to love his wife (Ephesians 5:25).  Christ “loved the church and gave Himself for her.”

The mystery has been revealed.  It is according to God “will,” “purpose,” “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 1:9; 1:11; 3:11).  It has always been God’s plan, and now His plan is revealed.

 

Posted in Chruch, Plan of salvation, Word Study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fish and Spontaneous Generation

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

A land-owner digs a pond on his land.  He does not stock the pond with fish.  Yet, somehow, fish appear.  Is this spontaneous generation?

The answer is no.  Fish eggs are carried on the bodies of aquatic birds and other animals that move between bodies of water.  Yahoo Answers says, “Think about the feathers on a duck (or any of dozens of different species of aquatic birds like geese, osprey, kingfishers, herons, loons, etc.).  These birds spend most of their days swimming and diving in the murky shallows of lakes and ponds filled with fish eggs and frog eggs.  Their feathers will be laced with eggs.  If these birds then fly off and later take a dip in your pond (birds do like to preen themselves in clean water… which is why we build bird baths), you now have a pond seeded with frog or fish eggs.  It can take a couple of years of many birds doing this before the fish take hold.  But if there is enough food from the algae in the water, the fish with start to thrive.”  If the new water-hole were indoors, covered, or in some way kept completely separated from animal life, fish would not appear.

Here is a point to ponder – think of God’s amazing creation.  He created things in such a way that new bodies of water could soon be naturally stocked with fish and frogs.  “O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1, 9).  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).  The more we study His creation, the more in awe we should be.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

Posted in Apologetics, Evidence, life, science | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions About Creation

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (Exodus 20:11).

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them make and female,’ and said ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4-5).

“Man is not from woman, but woman from man.  Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man” (1 Corinthians 11:8-9). 

“Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman deceived fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:13-14).

“Through one man sin entered the world” (Romans 5:12).

The book of Genesis is foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible.  Henry Morris remarked, “If the Bible were somehow expurgated of the book of Genesis… the rest of the Bible would be incomprehensible.  It would be like a building without a ground floor, or a bridge with no support” (The Genesis Record, p. 17).  He lists 77 important Biblical words which first appear in Genesis (ibid, p. 687).  Genesis tells us of the origin of man, woman, and the home (Genesis 1 2). Genesis tells us about sin and how God views sin (Genesis 3, 6).  It tells us of God’s preserving a seedline through Abram in order to bless humanity (Genesis 12:1-3).

There are common questions which are asked about the Genesis account of creation.  This writing will  provide concise answers to some of these common questions.

1.  Is Genesis Myth?

All of the New Testament writers quote or reference the book of Genesis.  There are 200 specific references to Genesis in the New Testament (for the list, see – creationstudies.org).  Half of the 200 references are from Genesis 1-11, and 63 are from Genesis 1-3.  All of the New Testament writers make reference to Genesis. All of the New Testament books contain allusions to Genesis except the books of Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John.  Only 7 of the 50 chapters of Genesis are not quoted in the New Testament (20, 24, 34, 36, 40, 43, 44).  There are 14 references to the flood in the New Testament (stats from Dave Miller, Fundamentals II Class Notes, Brown Trail School of Preaching).  Not one New Testament writer presents characters or events in Genesis as myths.

The Bible presents the people as historical characters.  Abel is presented as being as historically real as Zachariah (Matthew 23:35).  Noah and Job are presented as being as historically real as Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14, 20).  Never are the characters of Genesis depicted as myths by Biblical writers.

Certain teachings are based upon Genesis.  Jesus’ teaching about marriage is grounded in creation (Matthew 19:4-6).  Paul’s teaching about women’s roles is grounded in creation (1 Corinthians 11:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:13-14).  Israel’s work week was based on creation (Exodus 20:9-11).  There is no hint that these were taken as myths or fables.

2.  Is there a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2?

Some have theorized that the heavens and the earth were created in Genesis 1:1, but that it became “without form and void” in Genesis 1:2.  Moreover, it is theorized that between these verses there lived plants, animals, and even a pre-Adamic race of men.  However, God destroyed all life and started over in Genesis 1:2.  This theory is popular with some because, it allows for an old earth.

Some common arguments to support this view are: (a) It is argued that the term “was” could be rendered “became.”  (b) It is argued that Adam and Eve were told to “replenish” the earth (Genesis 1:28 KJV).  (c) God did not create the earth in “vain” (Isaiah 45:18).  This is the same original word translated “without form.”  (d) A distinction between “created” (bara) and “made” (asah) is made.

Let us briefly answer these arguments.  (a) Should “was” be rendered “became”?  Henry Morris has written, “The verb is the regular Hebrew verb of being (hayetha), not the word normally used to denote a change of state (haphak).  Although hayetha can also, if the context warrants, be used to introduce a change of state, it simply means “was” in 98% of its occurrences” (The Genesis Record, p. 49).  Harold Stiger has commented, “When the verb ‘to be’ (hayah) is to be constructed as ‘became,’ the addition of the prepositional lamedh is required with the following word to provide this meaning, and this preposition is absent here” (Bert Thompson and Gary Workman, p. 6).  John Whitcomb remarked, “If it had to be translated ‘became,’ then we would have to say that Adam and Eve ‘became’ naked (Genesis 2:25)…” (The Early Earth, p. 146).  (b) What about the word “replenish”?  Henry Morris has written, “This does not suggest the idea of refilling… The Hebrew word is male, and means simply ‘fill’… of the more than three hundred times it is used, it is translated (in the KJV) by ‘replenish’ only seven times; and even these could have been rendered ‘fill'” (The Genesis Record, p. 76).  The NKJV, NASB, and ESV render it ‘fill.’  The New Brown-Drivers-Briggs-Gegenius Lexicon renders it “fill.”  Wayne Jackson commented, “The word, ‘replenish,’ at the time the King James Version was translated simply meant ‘fill'” (Notes From the Margin of My Bible, Vol. 1, p. 3).   (c) What about Isaiah 45:18?  “The immediate context… has to do with Israel and God’s promises to His people.  Isaiah reminds his listeners that just as God had a purpose in creating the Earth, so He had a purpose for Israel.  …God created the earth ‘to be inhabited'” (Bert Thompson, Popular Compromises of Creation – The Gap Theory).  Wayne Jackson commented, “The earth was not created to remain empty; rather it was designed to be inhabited” (God’s Prophet of Doom and Deliverance; Isaiah, p. 91).

What about Genesis 1:2?  John Whitcomb wrote, “It was simply empty of living things and without the features it later possessed, such as oceans, continents, hills and valleys – features that would be essential for man’s well-being” (Bert Thompson, Popular Compromises of Creation – The Gap Theory).

The words “without form” and “void” do not mean destruction.  A concordance will demonstrate this point. Furthermore, John Whitcomb has written, “To be sure the only passages besides Genesis 1:2 where tohu and bohu appear together – Isaiah 34:11 and Jeremiah 4:23 – are placed in context which emphasize divine judgment.  But even here the basic meaning of empty or uninhabited fits well” (The Early Earth, p. 148).  (d) What about “created” (bara) and “made” (asah)?  It is argued that God in Genesis 1:1 “created” (bara) the heavens and the earth.  However, the six days refers to what he “made” (asah) (Genesis 1:31).  The first word it is claimed refers to original creation, and the second to a remaking.  However, such distinction is not there.  The words are used interchangeably (Genesis 1:26 cf. 1:27).

The Biblical writers do not speak of a pre-Adamic human race.  Adam is called “the first man” (1 Corinthians 15:45).  Sin is said to have entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:12-ff).

3.  Are the days of creation long periods of time?

This theory is popular with many.  It allows for an old earth.

There are problems with this view.  (a) A “day” is defined in context as “an evening and a morning” (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31).  (b) If a “day” refers to a long period of time, then what is an “evening” and a “morning”?  (c) If a “day” refers to a long period of time, then what are “seasons” and “years” (Genesis 1:14)?  (d) Bert Thompson has written, “Whenever the Hebrew word ‘yom’ (day – B.H.) is preceded by a numeral, it always carries the meaning of a 24-hour day” (Difficult Texts From Genesis, p. 8).  The record speaks of “the first day,” “the second day,” etc.  (e) Henry Morris has written, “When the words ‘days’ appears in the plural (Hebrew – yamin) as it does over 700 times in the Old Testament, it always refers to literal day” (Bert Thompson and Gary Workman, Difficult Texts From Genesis, p. 8).  Exodus 20:11 reads, “in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them.”  (f) “The  Hebrew phrase translated ‘evening and morning’ is used over 100 times in the Old Testament with the word ‘yom’.  Each time it refers to a literal 24-hour day” (ibid, pp. 8-9).  (g) If God had intended to covey a literal day, wouldn’t He had used the language He did?  (h) Jesus asked, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female'” (Matthew 19:4).  Does this sound like one can fit billions of years between day one and day six?  (i) Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made… so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).  Does this sound like man arrived billions of years after the creation of the world?

4.  Could there be gaps in genealogy after creation?

It is thought by some that billions of years can be fit into gaps in genealogy.  This allows them to believe in an old earth.

It is true that some of the genealogy lists do contain gaps.  For example: Ezra 7:3 lists Azariah as the son of Meraioth.  However, there are six descendants between them (1 Chronicles 6:7-9).  Also: Matthew 1:8 lists Uzziah as the son of Joram.  However, he was not the immediate son (2 Chronicles 21:1 cf. 22:1 cf. 22:11; 24:1 cf. 24:27 cf. 26:1).  The later record is often abbreviated.  Matthew groups his list of names into three sections of fourteen generations (Matthew 1:17).  The ESV Study Bible commented, “Perhaps for ease of memorization, or perhaps for literary or symbolic symmetry, Matthew structures the genealogy to count 14 generations from each major section.”

However, this argument is weak.  (a) The reason that we know of such gaps is because the Bible fills in details in other lists.  This does not suggest billions of years of history unlisted anywhere in the Bible.  (b) There is a great difference between gaps in names listed and gaps in chronology.  For example: The Bible lists 10 generations from Adam to Noah and 1056 years (Genesis 5).  Even if there were 50 generations there remains 1056 years of chronology.  (c) Can you fit billions of years into 13 generations?  Let me explain – How many years are there between us and Jesus?  A bit over 2,000 years.  How much time between Jesus and Abraham?  About 2,000 years.  The billions of years need to be fit into the time between Abraham and Adam.  How many generations existed according to the Bible between these two men?  The answer is twenty (Genesis 5 and Genesis 11).  Enoch is confirmed to be the seventh from Adam (Jude 14 cf. Genesis 5).  This leaves 13 generations in which to find these great gaps in genealogy into which one can insert billions of years.  However, remember that there is a huge difference between gaps in genealogy and gaps in chronology!  Chronologically there are 2,008 years between Adam and Abraham (this is based on Noah being 502 when Shem was born, and Terah being 130 when Abraham was born).

5.  How was there light on day one (Genesis 1:3), yet the sun, moon and stars were not created until day four (Genesis 1:14-18)?

Some have suggested that the sun, moon and stars were created on day one, but were not visible upon earth until day four, due to the shroud of thick vapor.  However, the words, “Let there be…” are the same words that appear throughout this chapter (1:3; 1:6; 1:14).  This sound like creation.

Bert Thompson and Gary Workman have written, “On the first day God said, ‘Let there be light’ (Hebrew or) whereas on the fourth day God said, ‘Let there be lights (ma-or, light-bearers).  Therefore, God’s first recorded statement created independent light without a light-bearer.  And since God instructed the light-darkness cycle on that day, we must conclude that the light came from a fixed direction and that the earth rotated on its axis.  In eternity there will again be light without the sun  – Revelation 21:23″ (Difficult Texts From Genesis, p. 14).

There are other examples of light without the light bearing of the sun and moon. God provided a “pillar of fire” by night for the children of Israel (Exodus 13:21-22; 14:24; Numbers 14:14; Nehemiah 9:12). One day the saints will live in a city illuminated by God and the lamb, but it will not have a sun or moon.

6.  What is the firmament (Genesis 1:6-8; 1:17)?

The original word (raqia) refers to an “expanse” or “something stretched, spread or beaten out” (Difficult Texts From Genesis, p. 15).  The ESV reads, “an expanse.” The firmament refers to the atmosphere (Genesis 1:6-8).  The firmament refers to outer space (Genesis 1:14-17).  God “stretches out the heavens like a curtain” (Isaiah 40:22).

7.  Why are there two different creation accounts (Genesis 1:1-2:4 and Genesis 2:4b – 2:25)?

There is a different emphasis the first present creation in a straight forward chronological order.  The second puts man’s role in the created order, man’s warning from God, and the creation of the first family unit as the focus.  Billy Bland has written, “One brother likened it to a ‘instant replay, isolated camera,’ where the cameraman allows the viewer to go back and see an event in greater detail” (The Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship, The Book of Genesis, p. 79.  Bland is quoting Bob Winton’s outlined Commentary on Genesis).

The book of Genesis is divided into nine sections: (1) The generations of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1-2:4).  (2) The generations of Adam (Genesis 2:4b-5:1).  (3) The generations of Noah (Genesis 5:1b-6:9).  (4) The generations of the sons of Noah (Genesis 6:9-10:1).  (5) The generations of Shem (Genesis 10:1b-11:10).  (6) The generations of Terah (Genesis 11:10b-11:27).  (7) The generations of Isaac (Genesis 11:27b-25:19).  (8) The generations of Jacob (Genesis 25:19b-37:2).  (9) The generations of the sons of Jacob (Genesis 37:2b-50:26).  The focus in each section is different.

8.  Isn’t there too much activity in Genesis 2:18-25 for a 24-hour day?

Eric Lyons has answered this point in an Apologetics Press article entitled, “Too Much Activity on Day Six?”  In this article he makes the following points: (a) Adam did not have to search for all of the creatures.  God brought them to him (Genesis 2:19).  (b) Adam did not name all of the animals on earth.  He named all cattle, birds of the air, and beasts of the field (Genesis 2:20).  Excluded are sea creatures, and creeping things.  (c) It is possible that the animals brought to him and name by him were limited to the animals which resided in Eden.  God was trying to send a message to Adam. There was no helper comparable to him to be found. He was unique, and he needed a mate. (d) It does not say that he named every species of animals that now exists (for example today there are hundreds of different varieties of dogs, cats, cattle, etc.), or might have then existed.  Likely, he was giving names to “kinds”.

Posted in Apologetics, Evidence, Stats | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marrying “Only in the Lord”

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

These words are found in 1 Corinthians 7:39. In that passage; we are told:  (a) that a widow may marry again;  (b) that she may marry “whom she wishes”;  (c) But, if she marries, she should marry “only in the Lord.”

Now, I have heard brethren try to explain this passage in different ways. (a) Some have suggested that what is being taught in the restrictive phrase, “only in the Lord,” is that the widow must make sure that she is marrying consistent with God’s will – i.e. not violating passages such as Matthew 19:9, 1 Corinthians 7:11a, etc. (b) Others have repunctuated the sentence structure, putting the phrase with verse 40; Thus, making the words “only in the Lord” mean in essence – “As a Christian (only in the Lord) however, I believe (after my judgment) that she will have a happier existence if she remains unmarried (if she so abide) … due to the present distresses faced by the early church at this time” (cf. v. 26-27). But, (c) the most common explanation is that this passage teaches that a widow may, indeed, marry. However, if she does, she must marry a Christian.

Now, with all of those explanations it is easy to get confused; However, if we could soberly consider an Old Testament passage, and compare it to 1 Corinthians 7:39, I believe that the actual meaning will be clear. Consider Numbers 36:5-6.

Watch the parallel:

  1.   Numbers 36:5-6                daughters of Zelophehad                                                                 1 Corinthians 7:39                      widow
  2.  let them marry                                                                                                                              she is at liberty to be married
  3. to whom they think best                                                                                                                 to whom she wishes
  4. they may marry only within the family of the their father’s tribe                                     only in the Lord.

Watch the following facts: (1) The language of Numbers 36:6 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 are very similar in wording; (2) The restive clause of the Numbers 36:6 passage clearly concerns instruction as to whom one should marry. Doesn’t it make sense then, that must be what 1 Corinthians  7:39 is referring to as well?

The wording “In the Lord” may be used in different ways Biblically. However, it seems clear to me that 1 Corinthians 7:39 does teach that a Christian widow woman should marry an eligible Christian man, if she is going to marry.

Posted in Dating, Marriage, Phrase Study, Textual study | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments