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Genesis 1: Fact or Fiction?
Article by Earl L. HennThe Creation Week account in Genesis 1 presents a brief, condensed narrative of God preparing the earth for human habitation after an earlier creation of the heavens and the earth. The focus remains on events observable from the surface of the earth rather than from outer space. Following the initial creation of matter, energy, and all necessary building blocks, the earth became a cold, dark, uninhabitable place covered with water because of destruction resulting from Helel's rebellion against God. On the first day God cleared atmospheric debris so that light from the already-existing sun could reach the surface, and He adjusted the length of day and night along with the tilt of the earth's axis. On the second day He formed an expanse of clear air by separating surface waters from cloud-laden waters above, thereby restoring the hydrological cycle and adjusting atmospheric composition for life. On the third day He gathered the waters into ocean basins so that dry land appeared and then created all forms of vegetation. On the fourth day He reduced cloud cover to make the sun, moon, and stars visible for signs, seasons, days, and years, though these bodies had been created long before. On the fifth day God created sea creatures and birds, and on the sixth day He created land animals and finally human beings as the pinnacle of the physical creation. On the seventh day God rested, thereby establishing the Sabbath as a memorial that points to His ongoing spiritual creation of reproducing Himself in humanity. This sequence demonstrates that the account harmonizes with known physical laws when viewed from the proper earthly perspective and underscores the veracity of Scripture as a whole.
Let There Be Light
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsThe book of Genesis presents Creation Week as the account of how the all-powerful God created the heavens and the earth and then organized them according to His design. The earth began without form and void, with darkness covering the face of the deep while the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Beginning in verse 3 the focus shifts to God bringing order by His spoken Word, as each stage opens with the divine command that calls elements into their appointed places. Light is the first creation spoken into existence, after which God separates it from darkness, names the light Day and the darkness Night, and thereby establishes the evening-and-morning cycle that divides the week into successive days. Vegetation appears on the third day before the lights that will govern time are set in place on the fourth day. On that fourth day God makes the two great lights to divide day from night, to rule over the day and the night, and to serve as signs for seasons, days, and years, including the appointed times of His feasts. These lights correspond to the ordering of light and darkness accomplished on the first day, completing the structure of time that marks both natural cycles and sacred observances. Throughout the week God repeatedly declares His works good, demonstrating that every feature exists in conformity to His sovereign purpose. The narrative thereby establishes a hierarchy of authority in which humanity, as the pinnacle of creation, is later commissioned to govern other creatures on God's behalf so that the whole earth displays His glory.
How Does the Bible Explain Fossil Ages Over 6,000 Years (Genesis 1:2)?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe material presents the week of re-creation as the divine renewal of the earth after the prior angelic realm ended in ruin through rebellion. On the sixth day of this week God formed the first man, Adam, and imparted to him the human spirit, thereby establishing humanity nearly six thousand years ago. This act of creation directly serves the broader divine purpose of enlarging the Family of God by producing beings made in His image and equipped with the capacity for spiritual understanding. The account confines its primary revelation to the seven-thousand-year plan centered on Adam's descendants, offering only limited glimpses of events before or after that span. Consequently, any fossils predating this period belong to the earlier, pre-Adamic world, while the essential knowledge of human origin and destiny remains accessible solely through the biblical record rather than through physical evidence alone.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughUniversal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.
All About Attitude
CGG Weekly by John ReissThere is nothing wrong with proving what we believe is true, but when God tells us to prove Him, it is a positive statement. He does not say to disprove Him.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth Shabbat rest (ceasing from activity) and nuach rest (pleasantly creating) are necessary for the proper keeping of the Sabbath.
Where Does Righteousness Come From?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJob was righteous because of the work of God, forming his righteousness out of nothing, guiding events and providing an environment in which character was formed.
Spiritual Leitmotifs: Patterns of Seven
Sermon by David F. MaasGod's signature, the repeatable pattern of the recurring number seven, can be seen in astronomy, physics, chemistry, genetics, and all other sciences.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe best use of imagination would be to assimilate events, principles, lessons, and doctrine from scripture, transforming us into the image of God.
God's Rest and the Millennium
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Millennium or God's rest will be an exceedingly busy time, a time when all of humanity will be converted, a time everybody will be on the same trek.
Of Death
Sermon by James BeaubelleWhile some view death as a transition or displacement of cosmic energy, scripture affirms that death is real, appointed to all, and occurs under God's authority.
Made His Wonderful Work to be Remembered (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe must remember that God is working not only in the world, but in our personal lives as well, training us to lead, act, and believe with conviction.
Pentecost and Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of our 'time-bound' state, unless we sync with God's timetable, we are squandering our God-given time to become members of His family.
The Fourth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAt creation, God sanctified only one day, the seventh, as a day of rest. At Sinai, He again sanctified it as a holy day, tying it to creation and freedom.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We do not need to excessively fear Satan, his demons, or the world, but we should fear and respect the One who has complete involvement in our lives.
Imagining the Garden of Eden (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe imagination enables mankind to envision both beneficial and harmful purposes. Imagination is a gift from God that can be used positively or negatively.
Imagining The Garden of Eden (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Garden of Eden was probably prepared or planted after Adam was created so he could see God at work, providing him an example of diligence and satisfaction.
Job: Things Left Unsaid
Sermon by David C. GrabbeEven the accuser of the brethren made no accusations against Job, the first of several curious absences—things left unsaid—in the book of Job.