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Of the forty men who wrote the Bible, thirty-two wrote the Old Testament(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). We study the Old Testament because it is important for our learning(Romans 15:4). The Jewish "Bible" is separated into three sections [The Law, The Prophets, and the Writings] while The Old Testament in the Bible is separated into five classes or sections(Nave's Topical Bible). Copies of the Old Testament existing today are as old as 200-300 B.C. and certain portions are even older(Oxford Companion To The Bible). The word Testament means "Covenant, a contract(Hebrews 9:15-26), or an agreement, usually, placed with a Will"(Anchor Bible Dictionary). We will take each class in order, starting with the books of Law.
BOOKS OF LAW:
These books are also known as the Pentateuch, meaning the five books or scrolls(The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia). Originally one book(Bible Reference Library), Jewish boys were required to memorize all five books(Nave's Topical Bible). Moses is said to have written these first five books. Before Moses, God spoke directly to man(Genesis 1:29,30; 3:9-19; 4:6,9-15,26; 6:13-21; 7:1-4; 8:15-17; 9:1-17; 12:1-3,7; 15:1-21; 17:1-22), and then they repeated to others what God said. This occurred during the Patriarchal age(What's The Bible All About?). But then God decided on a more permanent form of communication. So God chose Moses. While some so called "experts" argue whether or not Moses wrote the Books of Law, the Bible does say that Moses wrote the Books of the Law(Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4,7; Exodus 34:27,28; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 31:9,22,24). In addition, other Bible writers mention Moses as the writer of the Law(Joshua 8:31-35; Judges 3:4; Malachi 4:4; Luke 24:44; John 7:19; Romans 10:4,5), as well as by strict Jewish tradition stating that Moses wrote the Pentateuch(The Heart Of Hebrew History). Joshua followed the writing practice that Moses started(Joshua 24:26), and others followed as well(First Samuel 10:25; Jeremiah 36:2) with the result that later generations are found consulting these written words(Nehemiah 8:1; Daniel 9:2). While experts argue concerning when the Law was completely written, many give a round number of about 1500-1400 B.C.(Encyclopedia Judaica) or about 3,500 years ago.
Each Book of the Law is mentioned by other books, and by reference declare these first five books as inspired. For instance, Genesis is implied in Exodus by God(Exodus 20:11), and several characters in Genesis are mentioned as historically real people in other books of the Bible, such as: Adam(Luke 3:38), Abel(Matthew 23:35; Hebrews 11:4), Enoch(Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14), Noah(Matthew 24:37-38; First Peter 3:20), and even Abraham(Romans 4:1; Galatians 3:16), and Lot(Luke 17:28). Genesis is mentioned by Jesus and the apostles concerning the creation(Matthew 19:4-6; 24:37-39; Mark 10:4-9; Luke 11:49-51; 17:26-32; John 1:1-4; 8:44; Romans 1:26,27; 5:12-14; First Corinthians 15:22; Second Corinthians 11:3; First Timothy 2:8-14; First Peter 3:6; Second Peter 2:5-8; 3:3-7). Exodus is mentioned several times, and Moses is even mentioned specifically(Mark 9:4; John 7:21-23; Second Corinthians 3:13). Events and Scriptures in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, many specifically by Jesus(Matthew 4:4-10). In fact, the book of Deuteronomy alone is quoted eighty-four times in the New Testament! (Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible)
GENESIS- It means "Beginnings," and we will begin at the beginning(Webster's Dictionary). Historical evidence supports the flood, such as ancient mud patterns, and the possibility of having found Noah's Ark at Mt. Ararat(Science Returns To God), as well as civilizations throughout the world describing within ancient records and myths a massive flood. For example, the Greeks tell us of Devcalion and Pyrrha surviving a global flood, and native American records tell of a great canoe, among many other stories(They Knew Too Much). The Babylonian records mention a flood, closely matching that of the Bible which scholars say "can hardly be a coincidence". Historians state that while some scholars say one came from the other, others say "there could have been an older ancestor of both", and deny the skeptic's view that the Bible writer borrowed from the Babylonians as having no evidence(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). When Archaeologists discovered the possible location of the tower of Babel, they asked, "why did the people leave?", which is of course given to us by the Bible(Genesis 11:9). As mentioned in Chapter 1, the historical evidence proves the existence of Abraham(The Exodus Enigma), and in studying the Dead Sea area, archaeologists found that a civilization[Sodom and Gomorrah] existed where the sea is now, estimated to have been destroyed somewhere between 2100-2050 B.C.(What The Bible Is All About). Clay tablets dated around 2,300 B.C. mention Bible names(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). Large salt deposits, including a small mound of salt, are found there suggesting the role of Lot's wife. But before the flood, only the Bible mentions what existed before, where as science can only guess(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Documents found in Mesopotamia confirm Genesis 14's battle of Kings. Many names of the descendants of Noah, historians know, became the founders of various nations("Bringing Old Testament Times To Life"National Geographic). The Book of Genesis mentions names that are quoted by other Bible writers, such as Adam, Abel, and Enoch[all who preceded the flood]("The Bible And Creation" Wonderful Words Of Life). The creation itself is subject to controversy mainly between many scientists and historians who don't believe in God(The Scientific Case For Creation). An October 1996 article stated that "much of the recent popular controversy around Genesis has focused on the issue of whether the creation should be understood literally"("Genesis Reconsidered" Time).
There are three Major Philosophies that are concerned with the origins of all things. These three Major Philosophies are: (1) Atheistic/Nontheistic/Naturalistic/Organic Evolution, (2) Theistic Evolution, and (3) Special or Supernatural Creation(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). The Dictionary describes a Philosophy as: "a Study of Beliefs regarding man's existence in the universe, a branch of investigation concerning natural phenomenon"(Webster's Dictionary). They are not in the area of True scientific study because "the origin of the Earth and beginnings of man remain outside the realm of experimentation and duplication"(Who Could Believe Such A Story?). Science can't make a new universe, and it is not antagonistic to the Bible(Conflict And Harmony In Science And The Bible). We will briefly discuss each philosophy, the facts used to support the philosophy, and the facts that may deny each view.
1. Atheistic Evolution says everything happened by accident, without God, over a long period of time(Youth And Evolution). They don't know exactly how it began, but scientists "have made many guesses and suggestions" as to what they think, how things may have started(The Outline Of History). These people claim that all the sciences support their theory, such as the fossil record, the geological formation of rocks, the vast distances between stars, the "family trees" of life, genetics, and also man's social and technological development(Heredity, Race And Society). The evidences contradicting Evolutionists are many(Unlocking The Mysteries Of Creation). The fossil record is incomplete, and evolutionists complain about this constantly(The Scientific Case For Creation). There should be transitions within the fossil record, but there are none(Evolution, Fact Or Faith?). There should be a gradual population growth in the Cambrian and PreCambrian Periods, instead of the SUDDEN and MASSIVE increase shown in the fossil record(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). There are no missing links to be found, necessary for the theory to be proven(Evolution: Fact Or Faith?). In fact, there are NO changes from one Phylum[Major Group] to another(The New Evolution, Zoogenesis). Dinosaur tracks and human footprints have also been found together in over a dozen places, confusing Evolutionists, who say it can't happen. Pictures drawn of dinosaurs have been found, again confounding these "experts"(The Scientific Case For Creation). Scientists use a chart of the development of man from fossils, but there exist the following problems: A) Nebraska Man-turned out to be a pig's tooth; B) Piltdown Man- an admitted hoax; C) Southwest Colorado Man- a horse's tooth; D) Neanderthal Man- humans with osteo-arthritis(Has God Spoken?) and Acromegaly(The Making Of Man); E) Heidelberg Man- the jaw matches those of living human beings from New Caledonia, near Australia; F) Cromagnon Man- larger brains than today's humans, artwork is superbly advanced even by today's standards; G) 1470 - dated 1 million years older than the "pre-human" fossils, is HUMAN; H) Zinjanthropus- 400 small pieces scattered about, some of a hip, some of a skull, and using a jaw found 65 miles away; I) Java Man and Peking Man[Homo Erectus]- found to be human. Dr. E. Dubois found 2 large skulls, and hid them for 25 years because they contradicted his Java Man discovery (Skeleton In A Closet); J)Austrealiopethis- a piece of an ape skull and scattered about pieces of human bones(Evolution And The Modern Christian). Paleontologists place the following [the Letters of these so-called missing links] in this order: J-H-I-E-D-F and then humans("Skull 1470-New Clue To Earliest Man?"National Geographic). Human remains were found in Castenadolo, Italy by Professor Ragazzoni in an area dated to be 15 million years old(The Antiquity Of Man). Human skeletons were found in both 25 million(EX NIHILO) and one hundred million year old rock(100 Million Years On The Colorado Plateau). In addition, many fossil men that were "Heretical and contrary" to the Evolutionary view "were banished to the Limbo of dark museum cupboards, forgotten or even destroyed" (Apes, Men, And Morons). Evolutionists admit that if one "takes an impartial review soon discovers that the fossil record raises more problems than it solves"(Illustration Of Universal Progress). Recent fossil finds prompted the statement that "Paleontology is much like politics: passions run high, and it's easy to draw very different conclusions from the same set of facts"("Parenthood, Dino-style"Time).
Rock dating has been found to be inaccurate, giving dates for the same rock from a few thousand years, to 26 Billion years.
Even new rocks from lava, like Mt. St. Helens, and the volcanoes in Hawaii give these same mistakes! (The Mythology Of Modern Geology) C-14 dating has suggested the age of the earth to be no more than 10,000 years old, but discounted because of the BELIEF that the earth is older("Radiological Dating And Some Implications" Creation Research Society Quarterly). A piece of wood was given three dates 500 years apart, prompting the statement that the C-14 method has both "contradictions and weaknesses"(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). Even Dr. Willard F. Libby, the founder of the C-14 method, gave the conclusion that bone dating by the C-14 method is impractical(Radiocarbon Dating). Polonium 214's half life is 164 microseconds. The "Halos" found in rocks could only have occurred "by virtue of the very short half life, the radioactives and the formation of the rocks must be almost instantaneous"("Cosmology And Earth's Invisible Realm" Medical Opinions And Review). Modern pollen has been found in preCambrian rock in the Grand Canyon, baffling scientists who say that pollen began HUNDREDS of millions of years later(Modern Science And The Genesis Record). A copper pot was found encased in 300 million year old coal(The Creation-Evolution Controversy).
Geneticists find that mutations die out, and don't reproduce like they hoped. The fruit fly is a prime example(The Scientific Case For Creation). In the field of Biology, genetic mutation is believed to explain similarities in anatomy and the development from lower life forms to higher forms(Encyclopedia Brittanica). However, similarities have been found with such different species as the bat, the whale, and man(The Doctrine Of Evolution And The Antiquity Of Man). If a row of houses is similar, is it an accident, or did an intelligent mind design them? So, similarities within comparative anatomy could hardly have been called an accident(Evolution: Fact Or Faith?). Vestigial organs were thought to be genetic leftovers of Evolution. At one time there were thought to be 180, but now science has found that there are NO "useless structures in the human body," but they are "necessary to life"(Youth And Evolution). An example are the tonsils, which are found to be necessary for normal growth and development for the first three years of life(Modern Science And The Genesis Record). Embryology was used to explain Evolution. But some leading evolutionists have stated that "after years of research and close examination of the facts about Embryology, the recapitulation theory is still without satisfactory proof"(Darwin And Modern Science). For example, in the embryo, the "gills" that were used as evidence of fish ancestry, actually are grooves between arches that support blood vessels(Modern Discovery And The Bible). Experimental breeding was thought to explain Evolution as true, but fail to mention the intelligence that had to be involved(Evolution: Fact Or Faith?). In fact, it has been found that without the intelligence of man guiding the process, the breeding process deteriorates. Man has NOT created a new Phylum, created life from non-life, or even found a way to allow the mutations to reproduce naturally, ie. mules. It has been discovered that man's attempt to genetically "improve" dogs has led to dogs suffering from genetic diseases("What Have We Done To Man's Best Friend?"Reader's Digest). A February 1996 report concerning birds having so little DNA concerned scientists who understand that "chance deletions wouldn't be so widespread or affect ONLY noncoding DNA"("Why Did The Chicken Lose Its DNA?"Discover). Living organisms are so complicated that the sheer probability of life occurring naturally Ais so near zero as to be for all practical purposes-zero@(The Origins Solution).
Using curved space physics, the light from the farthest stars could reach the earth in no more than fifteen years, instead of billions. The Reimannian curved space model is one such model of curved space astrophysics(Science And Scripture Magazine). In January 1996, the CBS Evening News reported confused and dismayed scientists in using the Hubble telescope, found billions of light years away the SAME type of stars and galaxies like our own, when it should have shown the beginnings of the "Big Bang". The standard model of Cosmology, which attempts to explain how everything began, falters when within the first second of the "Big Bang"(A Cartoon History Of Time). In an attempt to explain away the problem, scientists say that space could have traveled faster than light(The First Three Minutes: A Modern View Of The Origin Of The Universe). If space traveled faster than light at one half the rate given for another 10-30th of a second, space would cover the entire Universe as we know it(A Brief History Of Time). Astronomers found that the stars are actually older than the cosmos, contradicting their scientific theories("Cosmology's Holy Grail"Christianity Today). astrophysicists conclude that the universe was created outside of time and space, and concede the possibility of God, due to the enormous odds of the universe coming into being("At Home In The Cosmos"America), supporting the Bible's view of God(John 1:3; 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Second Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 11:3), and Christ(Luke 24:31,36,51; John 20:19,26).
Family trees are disputed and changed constantly(Genetics, Paleontology And Evolution). Modern Horse fossils are found dated millions of years before their "ancestors" (The Alleged Evolution Of The Horse). Animal "trees" fit what God said in Genesis, of every one of its "kind"(Genesis 1:24). There are NO missing links to be found, but rather complete breaks between the species.
While there is STILL MUCH MORE evidence that could be brought forward that conflicts with the "theory" of Evolution, what has been described should be enough to show the difficulties in the Evolutionary Philosophy. Although leading Evolutionists state "the ultimate mystery is beyond the reach of scientific investigation... we certainly do not comprehend it"(The Meaning Of Evolution), Evolutionists consider the alternative as Aunthinkable@, despite the fact that AScience demands evidence to support theories and hypotheses, and no evidence has been found to justify a purely accidental scenario@(The Origins Solution). Important Evolutionary scientists state that "Evolution MUST exist because the only logical alternative is special creation, an unacceptable choice."(Natural History, Vol. 86)
It is interesting to note that Biologists, when pointing out the difficulty of proving Evolution, turn to Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy; Which curiously enough, when pointing out the difficulties of Evolution, the Paleontologists and those involved with Comparative Anatomy turn to Biology as proof(Has God Spoken?).
2. Theistic Evolutionists believe that over a long period of time, God created the universe(Evolution And The Modern Christian). They use Evolution for the "scientific explanations" and try to fit the Bible in with this theory. There are three major arguments: 1) the Gap theory, 2) the Day-Age theory, and 3) the post-Adam lineage theory. 1) The Gap Theory says that between Genesis 1: verse 1 and verse 2, God established Evolution, and Re-created the Earth in six Literal days. Translating from the original Hebrew, some think the term "created" and "made" are different, and so think that evolution might fit in there. 2) The Day-Age theory suggests that each day in Genesis 1 could be a long period of time. 3) The post-Adam theory suggests that the period of time after Adam and before Noah could be longer than what the Bible mentions, and that each name could instead of being one person, could be a dynasty[ie. Enoch the first, Enoch Jr., etc.], or that there were skips in the lineage(The Origins Solution).
The same problems of Atheistic Evolution occur in Theistic Evolution(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). As to the three theories: 1) Gap- Hebrew scholars agree that the same words in many places can be used interchangeably. 2) Day-Age Theory-Genesis 1 states "morning and evening" with day; Exodus 20:11 and other scriptures(Judges 16:2; 19:9,etc.) say literal days. Even Jesus comments on the short period of creation(Matthew 19:4), that scholars state are inconsistent with Theistic Evolution("Evidences: A Summary" Guardian Of Truth). 3) post-Adam theory- the time set within the long lived ages of these people [such as the Bible saying Adam lived 930 years, and Seth lived 912 years] are close enough to discourage "dynasties". In addition, Hebrew scholars are specific in describing the ages as scripturally accurate(The Heart Of Hebrew History). Many important supporters of this theory state "Science has come a long way to explain how God made the universe, and to doubt science is to doubt God"(Science Returns To God). However, even Nontheistic Evolutionists condemn the Theistic Evolutionists, by saying "How can one believe in the virgin Birth, and the other miracles when Evolution denies miracles? Furthermore, Evolution teaches that man has developed from a tiny cell", "hence there was no fall, according to the theory , no ruin." No sin? "Do apes have souls? At what point in man's evolution did he get his soul?"(Evolution-Vick) and other tough questions. Supporters of both the Creation and Natural Evolution models condemn the Theistic Evolutionists of "Fence Sitting", lacking in faith(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). Theistic Evolutionists even agree that Athe biggest problem theistic evolutionists face is what to do with scripture@(The Origins Solution). While Aboth Old and New Testaments deliberately root themselves into early chapters of Genesis, insisting that they are a record of Historical Events@(Genesis In Time And Space), Theistic Evolutionists consider the Book of Genesis as either APoetry, Mythology or Allegory@ and so they Awaltz around uncooperative passages of scripture@(The Origins Solution).
3) Creation- The Bible says so(Genesis 1:1). The other Philosophies are Anot a viable answer for believers@(The Origin Solution). Due to recent scientific discoveries, there IS evidence to support the Creation Model as accurate(Unlocking The Mysteries Of Creation). The evidence suggests a young earth, but because of the wide variety of methods for dating, no accurate measures can be determined beyond somewhere between 6,000 and 15,000 years(The Mythology Of Modern Geology). The Evidence includes the Sun's shrinkage at .1% per century(Physics Today), population statistics, the Earth's Magnetic Field decay rate, the short half-life of many subatomic particles, the consumption rate of Hydrogen in the universe, and the Helium levels in the atmosphere(The Scientific Case For Creation). The Sediment rate of the Oceans is 27.5 Billion tons per year(Evolution Of Sedimentary Rocks), reaching the current level of 820 million, billion tons(Geological Society Of America Bulletin), which would prove the oceans to be NO MORE THAN 30 million years old, NOT counting the sediment during the Great Flood("Evidences; Age Of The Earth" Guardian Of Truth). In fact, many scientists agree that "a lot of scientific Law tends to support the creationist theory better than the theory of Evolution"(Conflict And Harmony In Science And The Bible). Objective scientists see that "Evolution is inconsistent with scientific law" and state that "It remains scientifically dishonest to gloss over all evolutionary difficulties and inconsistencies to seek to explain a glorious universe without God and it is further intellectually dishonest and arrogant to leave young minds with the impression that all knowledge and truths are gleaned through the scientific method"(Who Could Believe Such A Story?). The Bible says that Adam and Eve were created full grown(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25). The animals also(1:22). Therefore, God created the earth full grown. Looking at a tree's growth circles on the third day, it might indicate thousands of years when it was really one day. A rock might indicate it to be millions of years old when only a few days old("The Bible And Creation" Wonderful Words Of Life). God could have hastened the process, for Jesus said "with God all things are possible(Matthew 19:22; Mark 10:27). God had created everything in six days for MANKIND'S sake(Genesis 1:14-18; Exodus 20:8-11; Psalms 104:19; Ezekiel 20:12; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 21:41; Mark 2:27; Acts 1:7; 14:17).
A brief description of the Book of Genesis follows:
1) The Creation(1:1-2:25)
2) Man's Fall and the results of sin(3:1-5:32)
3) Noah and the world wide flood(6:1-9:29)
4) Scattering of the Human race(10:1-11:32)
5) Abraham and his family(12:1-25:18)
6) Isaac and his family(25:19-26:35)
7) Jacob and his 12 sons(27:1-37:1)
8) Joseph and the 12 tribes come to Egypt(37:2-50:26)
EXODUS- Literally means "leaving"(The New Easton's Bible Dictionary). This book shows the children of Israel leaving Egypt. Both secular and Bible historians have ample evidence supporting this(The Exodus Enigma). Both the Old Testament and New Testament quote from this book(Psalms 136:10-16; Matthew 15:4). This is the Second of the Five Books of Law written by Moses(Who's Who In The Old Testament). Exodus gives many details , such as the building of the Ark of the Covenant(Exodus 25:10-22), and the Tabernacle(38:24-31), which used 2700 pounds of gold(A Topical Study Of The Law Of Moses), with an estimated worth of about 16-24 million dollars!
LEVITICUS- "Law",(Compact Survey Of The Bible) describes many ordinances that the Jews were to follow, including loving their neighbor(Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:31), as an example of a spiritual/moral law. They were given physical/health laws, like identifying, and quarantining certain skin diseases(Leviticus 13:1-6; 14:8). Egyptian medicine did NOT follow procedures outlined in the Bible, amazing historians who until recent discoveries changed their views, ASSUMED that Moses borrowed the health laws from the Egyptians(Science And The Bible). An example of Pre-Scientific Knowledge is the wearing of a mask(Leviticus 13:45) to prevent the spread of germs, unknown until Louis Pasteur discovered germs in the 18th century(Medical Science And The Bible). It has been found that the immune and cardiovascular systems of a baby reach a level Above normal at eight days of age, the perfect time to circumcise(Leviticus 12:3), when there is the least chance to hemorrhage(Medical Science And The Bible). It has been discovered that "Life is in the Blood"(Leviticus 17:11), [not discovered until the 20th century], contradicting earlier views that blood is the cause of disease, so bleeding would help(The Bible: The Inspired Book). Bloodletting or leeching to cure disease was practiced up to recent times. George Washington died as a result of bloodletting(Grolier=s Encyclopedia). Leviticus has been called the "Priest's Handbook" (Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning).
NUMBERS- A census of the Israelite nation is taken. Some events occur with which historians agree to have happened(The Exodus Enigma), such as the war with the Midianites(Numbers 31:1-13). The Book of Numbers also tells of Israel's lack of faith and punishment to spend 40 years in the wilderness before being allowed to enter the promised land(Clarke's Commentary). Some scholars argue that the writer borrowed from other books(Numbers 21:14). The same scholars argue that the Books of Law were written by more than one writer, because they doubt that a single writer would call God more than one name, or that Moses would write about his death(Who Wrote The Bible?). Most scholars though, think that Moses wrote the Books of Law(Nave's Topical Bible).
DEUTERONOMY- "The Covenant",(Harper Bible Dictionary) which describes the last days of Moses, and the Israelites reaching the Jordan River after Forty Years of wandering(Understanding The Old Testament). Some people think Moses couldn't have written it because it mentions his death. They also think that any person writing about himself would use the first person, not realizing the Holy Spirit's guidance, as well as Moses' humility(Numbers 12:3). God was directing the writing. Moses prophesied about the coming of Jesus(Deuteronomy 18:15-20) and Jesus predicted his own death, so it is logical that Moses would as well(32:48-52). While the information just before his death might suggest someone close to Moses, [some think it was probably Joshua](Who Wrote The Bible?), might have written Deuteronomy, there is the point that Moses' burial place is a mystery, because God buried Moses(Deuteronomy 34:6).(Studies In Deuteronomy)
Questions:
1. Who is said to have written the Books of Law?
2. What does Genesis mean?
3. What are the three philosophies of origins?
4. Since we are studying the Bible, which of the
above
Philosophies is more logical?
5. What does Exodus mean?
6. What does Leviticus mean?
7. What does Numbers discuss about?
8. What does Deuteronomy mean?
9. What other facts can you think of to support
or deny anything
mentioned in this lesson?
10. Why should we study the Bible?
11. Why should we study the Books of Law?
Please send any comments,suggestions,additions or corrections
to: