REL 2098-02 In The Beginning-Genesis 1-12 (Spring 2005)
2 semester hours

Genesis In the Beginning is a second semester sophomore level course offered by the Rio Verde University’s College of Religion School of Theology. The course is presented by English guest professor Dr. Richard Gerhardt Thompson. Dr. Thompson, is the senior Pastor for the Liverpool Reformed Church of Christ. He obtained his ThD in Comparative Theologies from Wyaland Bible Seminary [AUS] in 1994. He specialized in Ancient Israelite Beliefs at the ThD level, and in Theology at the MTh level. He obtained his PhD in Alternative Healing in 1991 from Kingston University, England. Based upon his voluminous researches into non-occultic alternative medicine, he maintains an intuitive healing center in Alternative Medicine.

He is the author of over 50 books and 1000 articles in theology, bible, ancient history and other fields. He has lectured in numerous countries, and his articles have been translated into several languages. Since 1998 he has been a prolific writer, and has published more than 50 books in 6 languages in the fields of theology, apologetics, ancient history, and early Bible literature. He has also published several research papers in apologetics in English magazines.

He has made notable contributions in several fields, such as education, information technology, and Alternative Medicine. He has also played a key role among the those in the English and Canadian United Churches of Christ. He was the joint writer of the first Systematic Theology in and Christian Apologetics in the Malayalam language. He was also the Editor-in-Chief pf a a one-volume Encyclopedia of Theology.

Making spiritual resources accessible to all has been his life-long quest, and with this aim he has established several theological and secular distance-training courses which now attract students from around the world. He comes to Rio Verde University as a guest professor courtesy of our Vancouver, CAN branch.

During the course, if you have questions regarding the class or related comments, you can e-mail Dr.R Thompson at information@rioverdeunivesity.org. Currently this class is available by distance learning only. (The cost of this course may be tax deductible under either the HOPE or LIFETIME LEARNING programs approved by Congress and incorporated into IRS forms). If you are a minister, evangelist, rabbi, imam, a BACI* or other spiritual leader this course may be taken as a CEU program and provides 7.5 hour credits. Contact our admissions office for further instructions for CEU credit. [*BACI-Beth Adonai Congregations INTL is a primary supporter of RVU-School of Theology].

The textbook for the course will be the KJV Holy Bible. Other translations may be used as a substitute.
Most Biblical quotes are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Verses are italicized for easy viewing.

Note-Many of the theological views expressed in this course are the personally held beliefs of our guest professor and as such must be respected. Those from other denominational or religious belief systems should use these views as focal points for discussion and understanding though different than their own. Some of these views differ from Beth Adonai’s theological stance.


New King James Version Translation (text)

When you receive your packet (i.e. study guide and text materials) you will find the directions regarding usage of the program materials, on the first page of the study guide. You can purchase a KJV Holy Bible at most book stores or the book can be acquired from the RVU-U bookstore (go to the bookstore on the website, check the book, go to checkout).

***Note-Many of the theological views expressed in this course are the personally held beliefs of our guest professor and as such must be respected. Also note that there are many theories, suppositions, and possible explanations presented which may dramatically differ from current ‘proven’ science. These positions are accompanied with caveats. The ‘missionizing’ tone of some of the paragraphs has been toned done to allow a broader student base to participate in this program without abject bewilderment or dissonance. Because the first eleven chapters of Genesis tend to find strong emotional support for differing theories, opinions, and even tenets of faith, we at RVU ask for your prayers and trust that in the spirit of learning, vastly unique points may somehow stimulate you the student to further study, and discovery which you can share with all the rest of mankind. Those from other denominational or religious belief systems should use these views as focal points for discussion and understanding though in some instances the positions may be dramatically different than their own. Many of these views expressed by these contributing authors, writers, and theorists differ significantly from Beth Adonai’s theological stance.

INSTRUCTIONS: This course is designed to take the student approximately 35-40 hours to finish on average. It should take you about 2.5 hours to complete the mid-term and final exams. The mid-term comes after Lesson 4 and the final exam at the end of Lesson 8. There are sets of questions in each section. They are highlighted as such “Question:”. On the blank sheet of paper with the questions, answer all these questions, and submit each section with the appropriate cover sheet. There is one term paper required for completion of the class. The mid-term counts for 25% of your grade. The questions account for 15% of your grade. The term paper accounts for 15%, and the final exam for 40%. A grade of 70% is required for successful completion. Begin by opening the text materials.

You may already have a Bible at home. To be more accurate dates are designated as A.C.E. and B.C.E. (After the Christian Era, and Before the Christian Era) instead of A.D. and B.C. In addition, Biblical passages are italicized, and Chapter/Verse designations are highlighted in bold type. Read the introduction to the coursework. Then, read chapter 1-6 of the course material written by Dr. Thompson. When you have completed reading the first six chapters take the mid-term exam.

You may use your Bible as this is an open book test. When you have completed the mid-term exam place the cover form along with your answer sheet in the enclosed pre-labeled envelope. Mail your test to: RVU-U c/o Dr. RGThompsoon 3214 N University Ave. Unit #435, Provo, UT 84604. Upon receipt of your test papers it will be graded by staff, recorded in your student file, and returned to you. (A 70% grade is required for successful completion of each course.) Keep the graded mid-term with your text materials. Read Lessons 5-8 by Dr. Thompson. And take your final exam then follow instructions and mail all test papers to RVU-U.

Good luck, and may G-d Bless your studies. Baruch HaShem.

Dr. Rivkah Cordoba-admissions
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Genesis 1-11: In the Beginning

© Dr. Richard Gerhardt Thompson

 

Lesson 2: Genesis 1: Creation
This lesson will focus on the Creation story....
Literary Approach to Genesis One
Explanation of Genesis One, part one
Explanation of Genesis One, part two
Applications from Genesis One
Bibliography
Lesson 3: Genesis 2: A Far Glory
Let us now turn to a literary analysis of Genesis Two....
Explanation of Genesis Two, Part 1
Explanation of Genesis Two, Part 2
Explanation of Genesis Two, Part 3
Applications of Genesis Two
Further Applications
Bibliography
Lesson 4: Genesis 3: When The Strength Of Men Failed
Let us now examine the symbols which convey a very important point for the rest of redemptive history: the way back to the Garden, back to the Tree . . .
Explanation of Genesis Three, Part 1
Explanation of Genesis Three, Part 2
Explanation of Genesis Three, Part 3
Bibliography
Lesson 5: Genesis 4 And 5: East Of Eden
God's warning to Cain echoes the curse on Eve from chapter three. Yet we all know that Cain does not heed God’s words, similarly to his parents not...
Explanation of the Cain and Abel Narrative, Part 1
Explanation of the Cain and Abel Narrative, Part 2
Explanation of the Cain and Abel Narrative, Part 3
Genealogies, Part 1
Genealogies, Part 2
Genealogies, Part 3
Bibliography
Lesson 6: Genesis 6- 9: The Flood
No other event in Biblical history is as hotly debated as the flood. Question 1: Did it take place? Question 2: Did it truly wipe out everything? Question 3: Was it just a whim or a harsh punishment..?
Prologue
Prologue Continued
The Flood, Part 1
The Flood, Part 2
Bibliography
Lesson 7: Genesis 6- 9: The Flood, Part Two
The flood has come and with it its judgment. We know that only one man’s family was saved, due to his righteousness. Yet, we must wonder: how did...
The Flood, Part 3
The Flood, Part 4
After the Flood
After the Flood, Part 2
Theology of the Flood Narrative
Bibliography
Lesson 8: Genesis 10 And 11: Tower Of Babel
Having gone through much of Genesis 1-11 in a somewhat detailed fashion, it may be good to finish by stepping back to get the big picture. What . . .
Table of Nations
Tower of Babel
After Babel
Final Thoughts
Bibliography
 

Genesis 1-11 contains many of the most well known stories of the Bible. But these same stories can also be the most controversial. The most prominent story, for example, is at the same time the most debated -- the story of Creation in Genesis 1. That much discussion surrounds these early chapters of the Bible is not surprising since they touch on fundamental principles of human existence. Genesis 1-11 presents the biblical account of humanity's origin, attempts to assess that most perplexing of subjects, human nature, as well as hinting at humanity's destiny.

• Question 4: But what does the Bible say about these profound topics?
• Question 5: Does it say what so many seem to assume?
• Question 6: Is there any way to achieve a reasonable account of the meaning of Genesis 1-11?

Unfortunately, the many attempts to grapple with Genesis 1-11 rest on misguided assumptions about what the text intends to communicate. As a result the truly profound and insightful contributions of Genesis to our understanding of human existence is overshadowed or missed altogether. This course will not attempt to sidestep difficult questions that many people ask of Genesis, but it will focus attention on what Genesis meant to communicate to its readers.

The first step in this process will be to recognize the most helpful tools for interpreting the passages to be examined. The course will rely on the insights of historical and cultural studies as well as employing the principles of literary criticism to arrive at well grounded conclusions about the message of Genesis 1-11.

Because Genesis 1-11 touches upon primordial subjects it is little wonder that it engages not only theology, but also philosophy, science, sociology, anthropology, and more in a form that is thoroughly artistic. Because of this, the course will deal with the effect of literary criticism. We must avoid the distinctly modern assumption that fact and value, form and content, literature and history are necessary dichotomies. We must begin by acknowledging that literary work can have historical value and historical writing can have aesthetic qualities.

Audience and cultural context are also important but here again unnecessary dichotomies have been assumed. Some have tended to see the Bible as a book "dropped from the sky" emphasizing its transcendence and timelessness. Others have on the other hand erred on the side of immanence, locking the Bible into its historical setting and deeming it irrelevant. It is important to deny neither the transcendence nor immanence of the Biblical stories realizing that it was first written into a particular context and moment in history but also recognizing that it still can communicate powerfully to our own historical moment.

The next step will be to carefully proceed through the contents of the individual chapters:

•  1 Creation
•  2-3 Fall in the Garden
•  4-5 Cain and Abel and genealogies
•  6-9 The Flood
•  10 Growth of Nations
•  11 Tower of Babel

Finally, the course will attempt to bring the various elements of the study together into a coherent presentation of the theology of these critical chapters. Throughout, an attempt will be made to focus on what these chapters teach us about God, the Creation and human nature. Join me on this incredible journey!

Lesson 1: Approaching Genesis 1-11