Genesis is focus of journal issued by Southern Seminary

by   Michael Foust                                                                                                                                           Vol. XV, No. 4, April 2002

Few books of the Bible have intrigued Christians and non-Christians alike as that of Genesis. In it is detailed the foundation of the Christian faith -- the creation of the universe, the fall of man and the grace of a loving and righteous God. To some, though, Genesis also raises a host of questions. Was the flood during Noah's time worldwide or merely local? Who were the "sons of God" and "daughters of men" described in Genesis 6? And, can the book lead to a justification of racism?

A handful of seminary professors tackle these and other tough questions in the latest edition of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, a publication of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Titled simply "Genesis," the journal includes essays by professors from five seminaries. In addition, it includes expository discourses on Genesis by 18th-century Baptist minister Andrew Fuller as well as more than 10 book reviews.

Thomas Schreiner, professor of New Testament at Southern, writes the lead editorial. "We cannot understand who we are and where we are going without understanding our origins," Schreiner writes. "Genesis is a book of beginnings, a book that sets the foundation for all that follows in the Scriptures."

Even though it is a book of beginnings, Genesis points to Christ, Schreiner asserts. "The book of Genesis, like all of Scripture, as Jesus himself taught us ... points to Christ," Schreiner writes. "We must interpret the [Old Testament] in its historical and cultural context, but if we do not see how it points to Christ, then we have not yet progressed to a true understanding of its contents. My prayer is that this issue of the journal will help readers understand the message of Genesis."

One of the journal's most interesting sections includes copies of letters written to former Southern Seminary professor A.T. Robertson, who taught from 1890 to 1934. One of the letters was from a 19-year-old Bruce Metzger, who went on to teach at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Excerpts of the SBJT (Volume 5, No. 3) can be read online at http://www.sbts.edu/news/sbjt/sbjt.html. For information on purchasing the SBJT, call 1-800-626-5525, ext. 4413. [BP]