Vol. 03, No. 48

Steven J. Wallace
12/01/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024

DANGERS OF REJECTING THE 24-HOUR DAYS OF CREATION IN GENESIS 1

Joshua Gurtler

If God cannot be understood in the straightforward, unambiguous narrative of Genesis 1, why should we believe His straightforward, unambiguous teaching anywhere else in scripture? Teaching young people that "believers have misunderstood the word day in Genesis 1 for the last 3,500 years, but now, based on modern science, we know the word day cannot actually mean day as we thought" opens the door of subjugating scripture to popular science. The man in the white lab coat, and not God's word, is now the ultimate standard (Ps. 11:3; 119:89).

How to Respond to the Charge, "The Literal Days of Genesis 1 are Unimportant"

When one asserts that "the length of the days in Genesis 1 are unimportant" and we would do better to focus on "important doctrinal matters" such as the virgin birth, the resurrection, sin, salvation, eternal punishment, and eternal life, ask the following question: "How do you know there was a virgin birth, a resurrection, and that there is sin, Satan, salvation, eternal punishment and eternal life?" The only way we can know any of these facts is because the Bible tells us in unambiguous language (Eph. 5:17). Arguing that the days of Genesis 1 are unimportant inadvertently undermines the validity of all the doctrinal issues mentioned above, by requiring their veracity to hinge on verification/validation by popular science.

If the word day in Genesis 1 can only be understood based on popular science, why not apply the same principle to the rest of scripture? (e.g., the virgin birth, the resurrection, sin, salvation, Satan, eternal punishment and eternal life). If we can't know that the use of the word day in Genesis 1 is a literal day, how can we know Mary was really a virgin? How can we know Jesus really died on the cross?  How can we know that the portions of three days Jesus was in the tomb were literal 24-hour days and that he really rose from the dead (I Cor. 15:29-32)? How can we know eternal really means eternal, that sin is really rebellion against God, or that eternal punishment truly exists for the unsaved?  

Why Divisive Controversy over the Length of "Day" only in Genesis 1?

Whenever the word day in the Bible is used in reference to a time other than a 24-hour period meaning is always contextually manifest and never in dispute. Although the Hebrew words for day and days appear over 2,300 times in the Old Testament, controversy only exists over their meaning in Genesis 1. Why? Here is one explanation. For the last 200 years, believers have been pressured into melding the supposed scientific age of the earth (currently ca. 4.6 billion years) with the Bible; and Genesis 1 is the only place believed that the eons of time can be inserted.

Maybe Genesis 1 is the only passage where you reinterpret God's unambiguous word to agree with secular science. If so, then consider the following two thoughts: If you inconsistently reject the contextually unambiguous language in Genesis 1, yet accept contextually unambiguous language elsewhere in scripture, those whom you influence may apply your rule consistently to the rest of scripture, and subjugate God's word to secular philosophy and science (Judges 2:10). The man in the white lab coat, and not God's inspired word, becomes the ultimate standard. "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  (Ps. 11:3).  

-Adapted, Ed.

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BLESSED YET BLIND: THE STORY OF NABAL

1 Samuel 25:1-3

What spiritual condition can creep into our hearts unnoticed, blind us to God’s blessings, and poison relationships?

1. What do the names “Nabal” and “Abigail” mean?
2. Identify some blessings that surrounded Nabal.
   
    
3. Identify some things Nabal indicated he was ignorant of concerning David, and what kind of treatment was this considered to be (cf. 1 Sam. 25:10, 14)?
   
    
4. What are some applications we can make from our study of Nabal?
   
   
   
    
5. Why are some not thankful today?
   1. Romans 1:21 –
   2. Romans 1:30, 31 –
   3. 2 Timothy 3:1, 2 –
       
6. Out of ten lepers who were healed, how many returned to give thanks, and what does this underscore about gratitude (Lk. 17:11-19)?

THANKSGIVING

Psalm 100

1. Being thankful is a ____________________ (Col. 3:15-17).
2. What kind of attitude prevailed in Israel after they were set free from Egyptian slavery
   (Exo. 15:24; 16:2, 12; 17:3; Num. 11:1; 14:27-29; 16:11; 17:1-5; etc.)?
   
    
3. What are some things we should be thankful for?

How can we express our thankfulness to God (Heb. 13:15; Phil. 4:6; Rom. 6:16, 17)?

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