The Stories of Genesis – Literal
Some contemporary skeptics view the stories of Genesis as unbelievable mythology. But Jesus endorsed the stories of Genesis as literal and factual. The following are five references from His teachings:
1-The creation of Adam and Eve at the beginning – In talking about divorce, Jesus asked: “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4-5). Jesus pointed out that Adam and Eve were real people.
2-The story of Cain and Abel – the sons of Adam and Eve. Matthew recorded how Jesus condemned the pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy. He told them that God sent them the prophets but they instead blotted their killing. And He added, “so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah…” (Matthew 23:35). According to Jesus, Abel was a real person whose blood was shed by his brother Cain.
3-The flood of Noah – Jesus used the flood story as an example to warn the world of a future judgment: “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37-39). Jesus spoke of the flood of Genesis 6 and 7 as a factual event that took place in history.
4-The experiences of Lot and his wife – Jesus said that the wickedness of the world before His second coming would be similar to wickedness in the days of Lot: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:28–30). Again Lot was referenced as a real person.
5-The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah – Christ stated that because Sodom and Gomorrah did not have the opportunity of Christ’s personal ministry as did Judea, these cities would receive lesser judgment than Judea. He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city” (Matthew 10:15). Jesus spoke of Sodom and Gomorrah as real cities in history.
In summary, to speak of the stories of Genesis as myths is erroneous. It is the privilege and duty of all believers to regard them as divinely inspired truths that are “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
