How Did We Get Here and Why?

Genesis 1John R. Wible

February 16,2014

John R. Wible, 2014 2

The Oldest Profession?

It’s not what you think• Doctor• Engineer• Lawyer

The Universe is here because God spoke it

into being2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 3

Worldview• How we view the origins of

the universe colors everything about our worldview.– Did it all start with a speck of

dust or a “big bang? – Is it the creative work of an

intelligent being? – Is it a mix of the above?

• The Bible points us to an all-powerful, personal Creator.

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 4

Myths• Generally accepted definition:

“A story about gods or supernatural beings.”

• Such suggests the absence of true stories about the supernatural.

• Better: “Traditional story of presumed events that serves to unfold part of a worldview or explain practice, beliefs, or natural phenomena.”

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 5

Genesis 1

• A book of beginnings• Creation stories–Mesopotamian– Egyptian– Russian–Native American

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 6

It Really Happened!

• Cultures record a creation story and the “great flood” because they really happened.

• Somebody created us all.• The fossil records discloses

a cataclysmic flood over all or most of the Earth.

• Not “How” but “Who?”2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 7

Cavendish Labs, p.153

• In all creation, what is most intriguing to you? P.152

• Quotation over door of Cavendish Laboratory (p.153)

2/16/2014

(OK, this is not the one they wanted.)

John R. Wible, 2014 8

Q & A

• Humanity has always asked “how” and “why” as long as it’s been around.

• The Bible has the answers that some still refuse to believe–We exist because God said so.

• What does it matter what we think about the origins of the universe?

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 9

Genesis 1:1-31. In the beginning, God created

the heavens and the earth.2. Now the earth was formless

and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 10

Genesis 1:6-116. Then God said, “Let there be an

expanse between the waters, separating water from water. . .

9. Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. . .

11. Then God said, “Let the earth produce vegetation: . . . plants and fruit trees . . . Bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so.

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 11

Genesis 1:14 and 20

14. Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years.”

20. Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let the birds fly above the earth ...”

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 12

Three Basic Origins of the Universe

• There was nothing, then there was something,– it just happened

• Evolution – There was always something and it randomly came together

• The Genesis account

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 13

Occam’s Razor

Which seems the most reasonable to you and why?2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 14

Christian Misconceptions about the Origin of Things

• Making a god out of creation, itself

• God created people because He was lonely, bored or incomplete

• However, God said, “Let there be . . .” and it was so.

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 15

God, Indeed, Said, “Let there be . . .”

• The priority of God as Author, source, and Cause of creation

• The miraculous manner of His creative work as He speaks things into existence

• The scope of His creative work that encompasses “the heavens and the Earth”

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 16

God’s Crowning Achievement

26. Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.

27. So God created man him in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 17

You are made In Imago Dei

Made in the image of God, humans:

• Had spiritual life that is reflected in ethical and moral sensitivities

• Enjoyed a relationship with God• Served as God’s royal

representative on the earth• Q: What does “In Imago Dei”

mean?2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 18

So What?

• The unique nature and sacredness of human life is directly related to our being created in imago Dei

• We are not an accident – none of us • The image of God in us has been

marred, leading us to pursue our own purposes

• In redemption through Christ, God’s original purpose is restored

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 19

Two Final Answers

• How did we get here?• God spoke everything into being• Why are we here?• To worship and serve our creator

who redeemed us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus

• The Westminster Catechism says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

2/16/2014

John R. Wible, 2014 20

Let’s Pray About it!

2/16/2014