Archive for March 6th, 2008
Is the creation account of Genesis a poem as Rob Bell claims?
The most recent in Rob Bell’s Nooma series has caused quite a stir. In the video (which I have seen), he refers to the “creation poem” and then starts explaining the Genesis 1 creation account.
Nathan Neighbor, an outspoken defender of all things emerging and a pupil of Erwin McManus, writes (you can see his entire statement here):
Lastly, anyone who has done any type of study on Genesis would know that it is written in ancient poetry form, closely resembling the literary style of early writings and oral tradition. If this statement negates the validity of the scriptures, then calling Psalms a song collection, or Ecclesiastes a framed wisdom autobiography would do the same. It is a far leap in logic to say that becasue Rob Bell bleives [sic] Genesis is written in poetry form, he denies the literal account of creation.
I probably have not done “any type of study on Genesis.” I do not want to get into issues of oral tradition and the authorship of the Pentateuch. However, I believe that with some basic guiding principles, a simple reading of the Genesis 1 creation account will reveal that in fact it is not of the poetic genre. Read the rest of this entry »
Some thoughts on Samson, part 2
Although Samson was uncommonly gifted, his lack of godly character was quite common among God’s people in those days.
Judges 13:1a And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD…
