IN THE BEGINNING: LISTENING TO GEN 1 & 2

Description

CORNELIS VAN DAM

Do the opening chapters of Genesis constitute real history?

Concerned with an apparent shift among conservative scholars to answer in the negative, Cornelis Van Dam argues that reading Genesis 1 and 2 as history is not only justified but necessary. Van Dam clarifies the different roles that ancient Near Eastern literature and scientific theories should play in our understanding of the Bible as he carefully deals with the exegetical details of the first two chapters of the Bible.

Pastors, students, and church leaders will find In the Beginning an informed guide that will restore their confidence in the complete reliability of the Genesis creation account.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The Place of Extra-Biblical Evidence in Interpreting Scripture
3. The Historicity of Genesis 1:1-2:3
4. ‘In the Beginning’
5. The Days of Creation
6. ‘God Created’
7. ‘The Heavens and the Earth’ and Cosmology
8. Days One to Six
9. The Completed Creation and the Seventh Day
10. The Historicity of Genesis and the Garden of Eden
11. The Work of Creation and the Gospel
Appendix: The Creation of Heaven and Angels

Endorsements
‘If you want to get to the heart of the message of this book, you could say: In the beginning there is truth. In this in-depth investigation, Prof. Dr. C. van Dam shows us that Holy Scripture opens with the revelation of facts. The first pages of Holy Scripture are in no way an oriental campfire fantasy or a human tale. In fact, the author convincingly argues that in Genesis 1 and 2 we have received the reliable account of how God brought the universe into being within a period of six days (qualified by evening and morning). It is no exaggeration that such an exposition about the origin of the world and about the historical Adam and Eve has probably never been as necessary as it is today. This book definitely meets a big need!’ — Jürgen-Burkhard Klautke, Dean of the Academy of Reformed Theology [ART] Giessen, Germany

‘The first chapters of the book of Genesis form the foundation of God’s message for mankind. The last few years have witnessed more and more new interpretations of these chapters with huge consequences for the church and its theology. Dr. Cornelis Van Dam has served the discussion well by thoroughly investigating these different visions and showing how they are in part based on current scientific notions of the origin of the cosmos and the human race. However, those who want to honor the self-testimony of Genesis have many good reasons to remain with the classic Christian understanding.’ — Mart-Jan Paul, Professor of Old Testament at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Leuven (Belgium)