Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Genesis Chapters 1-11 Fact or Fiction? Once upon a time” has been the beginning of many fables and stories, and those stories have thrilled the heart of old and young alike. Many of us heard such stories read to us by our mother or father. We were eventually told that they were just made-up “stories,” not true but entertaining. Even our first grade readers had characters that were fictitious, but they taught us lessons in reading and other subjects that helped us learn to read and comprehend. According to some among us in the world today, so it is with the Bible. It has become fashionable to charge that the Bible is full of contradictions and mistakes, and that it cannot be a book with an omniscient God as its author. The claim is made that within the pages of the Bible are stories that are mostly mythical events and people – events and people merely invented for the lessons they teach. Adam, Eve, Noah and his family – all were mere myths. Is that really true? Of course not! There are parables in the Bible, but Bible history is not mere fables! If those stories are not true, what other stories in the Bible are not true? Is Jesus just a myth? Does God really exist? Or do the theories of men explain what we see all around us? Was there a flood of universal magnitude as described in Genesis? Did a man named Methuselah live 969 years? Was Abraham a real person, or merely a comic book character? Can we rely upon the Bible’s stories? The following statement can serve as a rebuttal or answer to any  claims related to the authenticity or credibility of all Bible history. Every major event and every major character found in the first eleven chapters of the bible is also described in other parts of the Bible as literal events and people. PERSON OR EVENT EVENTS DESCRIBED NEW TESTAMENT OR OTHER BIBLE REFERENCES 1. Adam, Eve First humans, Genesis 1:26-27 1Corinthians 15:45 “..the first man Adam…”; 1 Tim. 2:13 2. Eve Tempted by serpent, Gen. 3 2 Corinthians 11:3 “the serpent beguiled Eve..” 3. First sin Genesis 3:1-6, 1 Tim. 2:14 Romans 5:12-29 “..death reigned from Adam to Moses” 4. Cain, Abel sacrifice Genesis 4:1-7  Hebrews 11:4 “by faith Abel offered…acceptable sacrifice” 5. Cain killed Abel  Genesis 4:8 Luke 11:51; 1 John 3:12 “Cain.. slew his brother” 6. Enoch, father/Methuselah  Genesis 5:21-24 Luke 3:37 “..the son of Methuselah, son of Enoch..” 7. A great, global flood Genesis 7:11-24 Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah…prepared an ark...” 8. Eight people saved in/ark  Genesis 7:1-7 1 Peter 3:20 “..few, that is eight souls were saved by water..” Some wonder if it is wise to try to defend the Bible. They may consider it sacrilegious to defend that which has God as its author. However, in 1 Peter 3:15 we find a mandate to do just that – defend our convictions and defend the Bible. Our defense must be rational, logical, all the while taking facts and analyzing them objectively. Note the clarity and urgency of that passage: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” The word translated “answer” is the word in the original language of the Bible that means to “make a defense”, and the term “reason” implies the use of logic, sound thinking and serious contemplation. Therefore, we must defend the Bible, but do so with good, sound reasoning. That is exactly what we are seeking to do in this material. We are showing that the early chapters of the Bible are in complete harmony with the rest of the Bible. These are not myths or fables, but events that took place in Old Testament times. Secular history as well as Old and New Testament writers – not to mention Jesus Himself – confirm many of them. They stand as accurate records of ancient days. Accurate because God caused them to be written. The events and people mentioned above are just a few of those described in the Old Testament. There are many New Testament quotes and references to Old Testament events, and they serve to document the accuracy of the Old Testament. We do not dishonor God when we defend the Bible. That is what all of us must do. What inspired men wrote is true and is in harmony with secular history. Many critics exist, however, and response must be given to their charges. The Bible will stand every test, every accusation hurled against it. Believe it! Live by it! Study it! Teach it! It’s God’s Word, and it provides all anyone needs for this life and  for eternity, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3! And, it is also a very reliable resource for ancient history. Carl B Garner

Training My Child in the Bible William Lyon Phelps, the noted educator, once declared that a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is worth more than a college education without a knowledge of the Bible. With this statement we heartily agree. It is hard to exaggerate the great value of a working knowledge of the Bible. Fortunate indeed is the child whose parents realize the responsibility, the necessity, and the wonderful opportunity of teaching their child the Bible. Example Alone is Not Enough We would not in the least minimize the importance of setting the right example before the child by living daily the principles of truth taught in the Scriptures. But this is NOT enough. To build a faith in the child that is strong and to equip him to meet the temptations he shall surely face in life, we must teach him by word and deed the Bible. It is significant that Jesus met temptation with the Word of God (Matthew 4). Each temptation was met with “It is written.” It is still true in the 21st century that there is a Scripture that will help us successfully overcome every temptation. James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The Word of God is our offensive weapon against sin and Satan (Ephesians 6:17). Home Devotionals One of the beset ways to train the child in the home is through the medium of a daily devotional. There is something sweet and sublime about a father, mother, and children sitting down together in the quiet of their home, reading the Bible and having prayer. Each father and mother should figure out what time of the day is the most logical for the family to have a devotional. For many families the best time may be in the evening just before retiring. If the father works in the evening it may be that immediately following breakfast or lunch is the logical time. It takes only about five minutes after the family has finished the meal to read a brief selection from the Bible, make a few comments, select a choice verse for the entire family to repeat several times together, and close by having one member of the family begin the prayer and then give each member an opportunity to say at least a sentence or two in the prayer. This may be done while the family is still seated around the table. Such devotionals build spiritual strength and draw the family closer to each other and to God. The family that prays together stays together. In the years ahead these minutes will constitute precious memories that will fortify the soul! Bible Stories and Memorization Children enjoy the thrilling stories of the Holy Book, and they can be taught to memorize some of the great passages so easily. Recently on the television program “Know Your Bible” conducted by the writer in Nashville, Tennessee, a panel of lawyers was asked Bible questions. One prominent attorney was especially well versed in the Old Testament. Here was the explanation he gave for it: “I came from a large family. In the evenings, my father read Bible stories to us. We had to listen to the story and then write it. I have never forgotten what I learned as a child.” Remember your child will be a child only once. Fleeting years of childhood will soon be gone forever and with them will go the opportunity of training your child in the Bible. Begin today a serious systematic effort! You will be giving him something that cannot be taken from him when you are gone, something that will fortify his soul against the attacks of sin and Satan. Begin today! Ira North(deceased)