Orthodox Bible Study

Orthodox Bible StudyGENESISINTRODUCTIONHow do we approach Genesis?

How do we approach Genesis?Genesis provides us with a view as: How do we approach Genesis?Genesis provides us with a view as: A basic guide to how we view the ENTIRE BIBLEWe as Orthodox Christians Tend to follow the Ancient Churches viewWe as Orthodox Christians Tend to follow the Ancient Churches view Which calls for the believer to LISTEN!We as Orthodox Christians Tend to follow the Ancient Churches view Which calls for the believer to LISTEN!Listening of the Biblical Texts, Repeatedly shows the Believers that They the Texts call us to ONE REALITYONE REALITYFrom the Hebrew verb qaraThe reality is to answer the call of the texts

MEANINGTo hear aloud, listen, obey, and toAbide by these words

ONE REALITY The Words of LIFE

ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeThese are Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owners manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. the Words of Life-Isaiah 1:2-3ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeThis became the Basis of how the Early Christian Church views the ScripturesJesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, Come, for everything is now ready.

ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeBut they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me. Another said, I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and Im on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.

ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeStill another said, I just got married, so I cant come. The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.

ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeSir, the servant said, what you ordered has been done, but there is still room. Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. ONE REALITY- The Words of LifeI tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.

Our Orthodox ApproachWe will be using the Writings ofSt. John Chrysostom And St. Basil the Great

Genesis sets the ToneGod has made himself manifest in both His words and His DoingsGenesis sets the ToneHis doings, since from Noah, and from Abraham to his offspring to Job and to Moses.

Genesis sets the ToneHe discoursed not by Writings,But rather Himself by Himself,Finding their pure mind!St. John ChrysostomToledotThe Biblical Story of the Book of Genesis from chapters 1 through 11Is divided by sub-stories called in HebrewToledot

Toledot

ToledotThe word is from the Hebrew root wordYALADWhich means to:Give BirthHave generationsToledotAlways used in the terms ofHeaven and Earth

ToledotThis means that a person in the Stories is always a part and parcel of his PROGENITOR noun 1. a biologically related ancestor: a progenitor of the species. 2. a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor: the progenitor of modern painting.

ToledotWe see this in the idea that The Individual is a product of his ProgenitorAnd thus provides a basis not on the individualBut rather is the seed fruitfulToledot As seen in Matthew 7:17-20 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ToledotThus the toledot even offersus a persons after storyA person rooted in some ones toledot Who was rooted in some one elses toledotToledotThis applies even to the First Man: Adams toledot is found in Genesis 5:1This is the written account of Adams line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them man.

ToledotAdam is the toledot of Heaven and Earth:

ToledotIn the Original Hebrew the author usesThe word for dust haadam which is masculineFrom the earth eres which is feminine

MEANING THAT:The Creation Story of Genesis 1-4 is not the toledot of AdamToledotIn the Original Hebrew the author usesThe word for dust haadam which is masculineFrom the earth eres which is feminine

MEANING THAT:The Creation Story of Genesis 1-4 is not the toledot of AdamBUT RATHER:The story of Heaven and EarthToledotThus we as Orthodox Christians rejectThe Often Western view of anEGOCENTRIC CREATIONWhere Man is not the measure of all thingsNext LessonThe First Day of Creation!