Studying The Bible: Genesis 1:1; “in The Beginning” Part One

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I love to study the Bible.  I would love to write about the entire Bible as I study it and I am going to try.  I’ll be studying the “MacArthur Study Bible” as well as a commentary to end all commentaries and that is Matthew Henry’s Commentary.  It’s astounding to me to read some of his comments that were made in the early 1700s and referred to such things as atoms and evolution.

Thus the comments are not just mine but those made by John MacArthur and Matthew Henry, two of the greatest minds in spiritual history in my opinion.  Other giants I intend to turn to include J. Vernon McGee, Charles Stanley and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

What are my qualifications?  I simply have studied the Bible a long time and am enrolled in some courses hoping at some point to get an advanced degree.  Further I have completed a large number of college-level and beyond Bible courses.  But, this is on my heart to do.  Will I complete it?  I probably won’t complete it.  I am 60-years-old and I fully believe an in-depth write up will take years.  I’m still going to give it the old college try.

Come along won’t you?  Your comments are always welcome.  I only ask that when commenting you remain respectful.

Incidentally in the standard Protestant Bible there are 66 books.  39 books are in the Old Testament and 27 are in the New Testament.

Let’s begin with Genesis.  Genesis means appropriately “Beginnings.”  And that is where man finds himself at the opening of “The Book.”

Genesis 1:1…”In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.”

This is such a maligned verse today because just as Creationism used to be accepted as the way people came about, today evolution is the accepted philosophy.

The argument of the evolutionists is that religion runs from science and further (and they are right to some degree) they try and compromise beliefs.  Finally Creationism doesn’t use scientific methods but faith.

However the entire basis for the Bible starts here.  The way that God relates to us starts here and, something is going on that we don’t know about and it also starts here.  God is starting to initiate communication.  He answers obvious questions a being will ask and they are “How did I get here?” and “Where am I?”  Finally, like it or not this is where science starts.

This first verse tells us who created the Heavens and the earth, God.  What did He create?  He created everything, the Heavens and the earth.  When did he create it?  He created it in the beginning.  He created it in time and history eternal.  Since his mind is greater than our mind we can’t fathom the mystery of time and creation.  And what would you desire or expect from a God who could create a universe.  Anything less than an unfathomable Power and Mystery who yet will come looking for us in the cool of the evening doesn’t measure up. 

How did God create the universe?  He spoke it into existence; he didn’t need help.  What was the result? It was perfection.

Surprisingly in his 18th century commentary, Henry refers to people who would give credit to “atoms” for the creation of mankind.  You ask “Even then there were evolutionists?”  It’s not that easy.

What did man do in the Garden of Eden when he sinned?  He ran from God.  That is man’s pattern.  He tries to prove his own righteousness.  When he fails he doesn’t own up he runs.

Perhaps we should stop here.  For a point of reference, we are still in Genesis 1:1.

Hopefully you’ll continue to come along.

One final request:  This study is for those who believe the Bible is the true word of God.  Certainly if you don’t believe it you are more than welcome to come along.  I only ask that people not try to get into debates and arguments.  That is an entirely different situation.  I don’t feel the need to prove or defend the Bible.  It takes care of itself.  I just want to study it.

Hopefully I’ll see you again.

References:

MacArthur Study Bible, 1980, Genesis 1:1

Matthew Henry Complete Commentary, 1961, Genesis 1:1