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From Genesis to the Gospel
Purpose Statement
By
Larry Williamson
Location
17 January 2019
From Genesis to the Gospel
In the article From Genesis to the Gospel, Hodge (2010) stresses the importance of remembering that Jesus is the central focus of the Bible and thus every part and situation of the Bible should be interpreted with Christ and his sacrifice as the focus. In this context, he first emphasizes that Jesus in fact did not appear 2000 years ago but had always been at the heart of events, starting with Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden fruit. The paper will make a critical examination of the reading and the author’s interpretation of biblical texts to support his arguments, thereby presenting an alternate view and interpretation wherein there is disagreement.
Hodge (2010) begins his argument by introducing the idea of theophany CITATION Bod10 \l 1033 (Hodge 2010). Theophany, in fact, occurs at different places of the Bible and often features God revealing Himself to certain people. In the scriptures, Moses’ encounters with God form most of the theophany that are referenced in the bible such as in Exodus (3:1-6, NKJV), in which Moses climbed up Mount Sinai to converse with God (Ex. 33:11; Deut. 34:10, NKJV). The idea of Christophany has been discussed some biblical scholars who see it as a distinct idea from Jesus’ life on earth as a man. Hodge (2010) suggests that any biblical passages that hint at theophany are in fact to be recognized as Christophany, such as when God is said to have walked with Adam and Eve (John 1:1-5, NKJV).
The author’s view is grounded in the notion that Jesus Christ and God the Father are one and the same, and Christ only represented a manifestation of the Father’s role. However, a close reading of the Biblical text indicates that the view does not hold ground, and thus theophany must be differentiated from Christophany. There are a number of biblical passages that suggest that Father is the sender and that Christ was the one who was sent. Jesus said that he "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34, NKJV) and that “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30, NKJV). Moreover, Jesus clearly said, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it (John 12:49, NKJV). Additionally, according to the Apostle Paul, God sent Christ born under the law, and from a woman, when the time had come (Galatians 4:4).
This is not to indulge in a theological debate but to assert the fact that the author’s insistence that all references to God in the Bible, wherein he meets and converses with Moses, Abraham, Adam and Eve, or Satan is in fact Jesus who is doing so, and on this premise he forms the crux of his argument. However, since Scriptural reading demonstrates that the Father and Christ are distinct thus the premise that the author uses to support his arguments is a weak one, despite the fact he is correct in asserting that Jesus remains the central figure, and is more important than any other character in the bible. Hence, we can focus on Jesus as a central figure despite not seeing all instances of theophany as Christophany.
Furthermore, Hodge (2010) suggests that all characters, heroes of faith, angels or even Satan should be less of a focus, so that the faithful can focus on Christ and his sacrifice alone. However, other characters in the bible are there for a reason. To understand God, His authority and the world he created us to be in, the character and idea of Satan as a being is important. A spiritual war is going around us, in which Satan and other demons play a characteristic role. Thus, his character is important to understand and portray as an enemy of God, and how Jesus defeated him at the cross. The idea of the serpent in Adam and Eve’s story as well as the whole idea of Satan helps us to know that God has a special purpose of allowing evil. A greater good is accomplished, as the followers of Christ prevail over Satan and his armies. Thus, the understanding that a greater blessing is attained through permitting evil helps Christians understand their place and significance in the world, in a better way.
To conclude, the primary premise that Hodge (2010) bases his argument on is weak in my view, however the assertion he wants to support is in itself true.
Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY Hodge, Bodie. From Genesis to the Gospel. July 13, 2010. https://answersingenesis.org/jesus-christ/from-genesis-to-the-gospel/ (accessed January 17, 2019).
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