Prolifik Films: FREE FALL, GENESIS CHAPTER 3-POETRY

Ken Ham is coming to Town!!!

July 14, 2013 to July 15, 2013 in Lutz, FL

with Ken Ham, Dr. Georgia Purdom

'Kid's Kare' is available; please call 813-264-8735
SEE CONTACT INFO FOR RESERVATIONS FOR LADIES COFFEE

Location

Idlewild Baptist Church
18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd
Lutz, FL 33548
US
Get Directions

Contact Information

Reno Zunz
`813-264-8730
rzunz@idlewild.org

Schedule

Note: Any overlapping times indicate multiple, simultaneous sessions

Sun, Jul 14

9:15 a.m.	Ken Ham	Does Genesis Matter in 2013?
11 a.m.	Ken Ham	Does Genesis Matter in 2013?
6:30 p.m.	Ken Ham	Science & the Bible - The Myth of Neutrality
8 p.m.	Dr. Georgia Purdom	Wonder of the Cell

Mon, Jul 15

9 a.m.	Dr. Georgia Purdom	Biblical Womanhood: Reclaiming Genesis As the Foundation (Ladie's coffee)
9 a.m. -10:30 a.m.	Ken Ham	Dinosaurs for Kids (Grades K-6)
11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.	Ken Ham	Science Confirms the Bible (Grades 7-12)
6:30 p.m.	Ken Ham	Six Days, the Age of the Earth & the Authority of Scripture
8 p.m.	Dr. Georgia Purdom	The Genetics of Adam & Eve

'Kid's Kare' is available; please call 813-264-8735

SEE CONTACT INFO ABOVE FOR RESERVATIONS FOR LADIES COFFEE

For more info, check out this link!

The Sabbath

Hey guys,  I know it has been a long time, but I'm back!!

Tonight we are going to be talking about the Sabbath as we start to get into Genesis chapter 2!  (It only took us five months to get here, so the rest of the book shouldn't take us so long.....)  As such, I wanted to share with you something I came across in my research.  It is not a terribly long read, but it does an interesting job at comparing Genesis 2:1-3 to the command that God gave Moses again in Exodus 20:8-11.  I hope you enjoy it!

Genesis 2 vs. Exodus 20

The Creation of Angels

So, over the last couple of weeks, we have engaged in some form of discussion about the order of creation and the angels.  Where do they fit in the picture?  When did God create them?  When did Lucifer fall?  All that jazz and then some.  So, as I was researching, I came across this little nugget from my study aids (thanks to Pat!) courtesy of the "Most Holy" Dr. Henry Morris.  (By the way, that's an inside joke for those of you following this not in our home group!)

 There is no mention of angels or their creation in Genesis 1.  It is probable their creation occurred sometime prior to the third day since they were present when the "foundations of the earth" were laid, possibly a reference to the establishment of solid land surfaces on the earth.

The Bible does provide information concerning their creation however.

1. The fact of their creation
•  They did not evolve from some lower or less complex form of life
• Psalm 149:1-5  "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!  Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created."
• When created, they were created as angels.  They were not the result of procreation.
• Matthew 22:30  "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels of God in heaven"
2. The agent of their creation
• All things were created by Jesus Christ
• John 1:1-3  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
• Colossians 1:16  "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
3. The time of their creation
• The time of their creation is not without debate.  The Bible does indicate, however, they were present when the earth was created.
• Job 38:7  "Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?  Or who laid the cornerstone thereof?  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
4. The state of their creation
• Angelic creatures were originally created holy
• Genesis 1:31  "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."
• After sin entered the world, God's good angels (those who did not rebel against Him" are called holy
• Mark 8:38  "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
• The elect angels
•  1 Timothy 5:21  "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality."
• The evil angels who followed Satan in rebellion against God
• Matthew 25:41  "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
• Angels are a separate order of creatures, distinct from human beings
• Hebrews 1:14  "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
• Angels are limited in power, knowledge and activity
• 1 Peter 1:10-12  "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."
• Revelation 7:1  "After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree."
• Angels will be subject to judgment
• 1 Corinthians 6:3  "Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!"

I know that doesn't answer all the questions that we have touched on in our meetings, but that gives us a good foundation from which to talk from.  Looking forward to hearing our discussion on this, and many more to come!  Love you guys!

The Symphony of Heaven

Here's the video I showed last night from Louie Giglio and the Symphony of Heaven.  I hope you enjoy this again and again!

What's the big deal with Creation? Does it really matter?

Hey guys, since we are getting ready to talk about the six days of creation, I thought I would post a great video from Ken Ham and the Answers in Genesis folks on this highly debated issue.  Not that we debate it, but that secular science debates the validity of creation.  Ken Ham does a great talk on this subject.  Please spend some time before next meeting taking a look at this video so that we can discuss and comment on this.  Thanks!

Hell. When did it come to be?

So, tonight we discussed several things within the account of God's beginning work of creation in Genesis 1:1 (as well as several other rabbit trails...).  One of the questions that came up was "when was Hell created?"

Well, to answer it quite simply, the Bible never states a particular point when Hell was created however, as we examine the Scriptures, we can find the approximate point when there was a necessity for the existence of the place of Hell.  Let's take a look, shall we?

Let's start with this, Heaven.  In Genesis 1:1, we see that God created the heavens and the earth.  This "heavens" that is found here is referencing many places, namely the sky in which the birds and clouds fly within, the vast expanse of space in which the celestial bodies reside, and Heaven itself, the place where God resides and where all the Heavenly beings and creatures sing of His glory.

The first thing that I want us to understand in this context is that Heaven is a prepared place.  When we view the creation account, we see that God is preparing all of creation for His purposes.  Flash forward to John 14, verse 3.  Here, Jesus is telling his disciples about the place of Heaven, saying that he will go and "prepare a place" for you.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where  I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:3

So, Heaven is a prepared place.  God has intentions for his children and is preparing a place for them.  But what about Hell?  What does the Bible say about Hell.  Take a look at Matthew 25

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." - Matthew 25:41

So, Hell is a prepared place also.  But notice who it is prepared for; the devil and his angels.  Hmmm. No mention of mankind in there.  God never intended for you and I to be there, and yet if we reject Him, God shows us that the only place for us is is the place of eternal separation from God, Hell.

(Now, before I get nasty grams, yes, this everlasting fire is the Lake of Fire at the final judgment for the unbelievers and is different than Hell itself that was created for Lucifer and the fallen angels, but just stay with me here.  I will continue.)

Isaiah 14 describes the fall of Lucifer and the place of Hell.

"Yet thou shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." - Isaiah 14:15

So, Hell is revealed as "the pit".  It is a real place.  Ezekiel also confirms this in chapter 31, verse 16.

"I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit." - Ezekiel 31:16

Scripture even defines the geographical location of Hell as well.  For this, let's look at the account of Jesus' immediate place after death on the cross.

"For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." - Matthew 12:40

So Hell is in the "heart of the earth".  Ephesians 4:9 even describes a specific part of the earth, the "lower parts of the earth.  There are also many other verses that confirm this place.  Look up these verses when you have a chance: Psalm 55:15, Proverbs 5:5, Proverbs 7:27, Ezekiel 31:16 and 17, Ezekiel 32:21 and 27, Matthew 11:23, Luke 10:15, 2 Peter 2:4.

21 times the Bible describes the location of Hell as "down", twice as "beneath", twice states a "descent" into the pit, seven times locates Hell in the "lower" or "nether" parts of the earth....

But we still haven't stated when it was created??? We are getting there.  Hang with me

I believe, in context of the description of the creation account found in Genesis 1, that Hell was not part of original creation.  At each day in the week of creation, God states "it is good" (with the account in the creation of man that it is very good).  If there was a need for Hell to be prepared at this point, I doubt that God would have described this as good as Lucifer's rebellion against God is anything but good.  By this interpretation then, the creation of Hell is then a direct result of the fall of Lucifer and the angels that rebelled with him. (You can find the extended account of his fall in Revelation 12:7-9)  There would have been no purpose for it before that time.  And since we see that Lucifer did indeed serve a lofty purpose in Heaven (Ezekiel 28:11-15), then the creation of Hell came at some point before the events of Genesis 3, but after the account of original creation of the heavens and the earth found in Genesis 1:1-31.

I hope this helps a bit.  I know it is not a full answer to the question, but then, as we have discussed, sometimes we just have to realize that there are some things which will remain to us, by the account of God's Word, a Deuteronomy 29:29 issue:

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Comments?  Questions?  Thoughts?

I'd love to hear them.  Love you guys!

Hey everybody!  Hope you all are having a great week so far.  I was thinking a little about what we shared on Monday night about the creation of the universe and the illustration that Pat shared with us (for those of you who weren't there, it involved a table, some coins and a Dr. Pepper bottle. O_o  Ask about it next week...) and I thought I would post this short article titled "The Triune Universe: Time, Space and Matter" from the Institute for Creation Research.  It's a quick read, and it was this line that stuck out to me regarding our conversation....

Any effort to determine the cause of the universe is purely hypothetical. No human was there to observe the processes, so any attempt to understand events of pre-history (especially original events) must, therefore, be based on "belief systems," or presuppositions.

Check out the whole article here!  Here's a video from Creation Week on Origins.  Hope you guys enjoy these extras.

Love you guys!  Have a great weekend!

Eric

Notes on Gen 1:1

The sad reality is we probably don’t give enough study to the book of Genesis, and it arguably contains much of our basic understanding of whom God is and his heart of love for us as his children.  I'm convinced the opening chapters of Genesis are not optional.  They establish the vital foundation for everything we believe as Christians.  Sadly, it is a foundation that is being systematically undermined by the very institutions that should be most vigorously defending it.  More and more Christian educational institutions, apologists, and theologians are abandoning faith in the literal truth of Genesis 1-3.  All the more reason we begin this much-needed study of the book of Genesis.  So, let’s start by summarizing the book and noting some unique and interesting facts about the book itself.

TITLE:

• First off, the English title of Genesis comes from the Greek translation meaning “origins”; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible’s very first word, translated “in the beginning.”  
• Genesis serves to introduce the Pentateuch (these are the first 5 books of the OT) and the entire Bible. 
• The influence of Genesis in Scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the NT and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation which begins in Gen. 3 is not completed until Rev. 21, 22 where the eternal kingdom of redeemed believers is gloriously pictured.  

AUTHOR & DATE:

• While the author does not identify himself in Genesis, and the fact that Genesis ends almost 3 centuries before Moses was born, both the OT and the NT ascribe the authorship to Moses.
• Chronologically speaking, Genesis was written after the Exodus (ca. 1445 B.C.), but before Moses’ death (ca. 1405 B.C.).  
• While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely the historical moment for which this book was written, Israel first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land (ca. 1405 B.C.).

BACKGROUND & SETTING:

• The initial setting for Genesis is eternity past.  God then, by divine Word, spoke all creation into existence, furnished it, and finally breathed life into a lump of dirt which He fashioned in His image to become Adam.
• Genesis has 3 distinct, sequential geographical settings: 1) Mesopotamia (chaps. 1–11); 2) the Promised Land (chaps. 12–36); and 3) Egypt (chaps. 37–50). The time frames of these 3 segments are: 1) Creation to ca. 2090 B.C.; 2) 2090–1897 B.C.; and 3) 1897–1804 B.C.
• An interesting note; the first three chapters of Genesis cover over a third of the Bible’s history.  That’s a lot of time packed into three chapters of the Bible. 

HISTORICAL & THEOLOGICAL THEMES:

• In Genesis, God has revealed Himself and a worldview to Israel which contrasted, at times sharply, with the worldview of Israel’s neighbors.
• Moses makes no attempt to defend the existence of God or to present a systematic discussion of His person and works.  Rather, Israel’s God distinguishes Himself clearly from the alleged gods of Israel’s neighbors.
• Also, theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, mankind, sin & redemption, covenants (promise), Satan & angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel as a chosen people, judgment, and blessing.
• Genesis can be easily divided into two main sections.  
• The first part, Genesis 1–11 (primeval history), reveals the origins of the universe (i.e., the beginnings of time and space) and many of the firsts in human experience, such as marriage, family, the Fall, sin, redemption, judgment, and nations. 
• The second part, Genesis 12–50 (patriarchal history) God begins to personally deal with man and with His chosen people.  God explains to Israel how they came into existence as a family whose ancestry could be traced to Eber (hence the “Hebrews”; Gen. 10:24, 25) and even more remotely to Shem, the son of Noah (hence the “Semites”; Gen. 10:21). God’s people came to understand not only their ancestry and family history, but also the origins of their institutions, customs, languages, and different cultures, especially basic human experiences such as sin and death. 
• One final theme of both theological and historical significance which sets Genesis apart from other books of Scripture, is that the first book of Scripture corresponds closely with the final book. 
• In the book of Revelation, the paradise which was lost in Genesis will be regained. The apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in Gen. 3.  His focus is upon the effects of the Fall in the undoing of creation and the manner in which God rids His creation of the curse effect.  
• In John’s own words, “And there shall be no more curse” (Rev. 22:3). 
• Not surprisingly, in the final chapter of God’s Word, believers will find themselves back in the Garden of Eden, which is the eternal paradise of God, eating from the tree of life (Rev. 22:1–14).  At that time, they will partake, wearing robes washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 22:14).

With this quick background, we will begin our study with the first two verses of God’s Word, in which is packed the essential truth of God’s creation of all that has life.  

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

• In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
• There are two purposes for this statement
• Identify God as Creator
• Explain the origin of the world
• This does not imply that nothing existed before this, but rather shows the beginning of time as we understand it

• In the beginning
• It’s the Hebrew word “BERESHIT” (Ba-ray-shith)
• Better translated “In the FIRST”
• This word does not denote a specific period of time, but rather, it stands for the starting point of God’s creation
• The root is “ROSH” meaning head, summit or chief
• It is used in compound words such Rosh Hashanah (head of the year), Rosh Chodesh (head of the month), Rosh Pinah (head of the corner, cornerstone).  The shoresh appears in words such as rishon (first), reshit (beginning), and bereshit (in the beginning)

• God
• God (Elohim) is eternal, existing before the universe, and is omnipotent, having created the universe. Therefore, nothing is impossible with God, and He alone gives meaning to everything. 
• No attempt is made in this verse to prove God; it was recorded in the beginning when no one doubted God.
• ELOHIM is used 32 times in Genesis 1
• It is plural in form
• Many other words could have been used
• El = One True God (el would have meant god – little “g”)
• El Echad = The One God (Mal 2:10)
• El Elyon = God Most High (Gen 14:18-20)
• El Emet = The God of Truth (Psalm 31:5)
• El Hanne’eman = The Faithful God (Deut 7:9)
• El Roi = God Who Sees (Gen 16:13-14)
• El Shaddai = God Almighty or the All Sufficient One (Gen 17:2-3)
• El Tsaddik = The Righteous God (Isa 45:21)
• YHWH = God’s Holy Covenant name (Ex 3:13-14)
• God is letting us know, from the very first line of His Word, that there is a plurality to His nature
• Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all present in Genesis 1:1-2

That's right!  We only made it through four verses tonight, (Don't judge us!!) but it was a great time together.  I think we all got a lot out of it tonight and I hope these notes help fill you in on what we covered tonight.  

Here's a "challenge" for us as we go about this week: 

1. Get a copy of the Bible with no commentary in it.  One of the greatest opportunities this gives us is to fully rely on the revelation God gives us in our quiet time with Him.  Sure, these Biblical scholars give us great insight into the Word of God, but nothing will compare to the insight that God gives us in our own hearts and minds as we study the Word!
2. Read Genesis, Chapter 1 this week and journal about what God is revealing to you each day.  These are not only beneficial to our personal study, but they will likely be of great benefit to our meeting times as well.

(Thanks for the great challenge Debbie!!!)

That's all for now.  Have a great week ladies and gentlemen!

How Important is Genesis? (John MacArthur)

This was posted by John MacArthur on Grace to You back in August of 2009.  It speaks aptly to the importance of why we should study and seek to understand Genesis.  I hope you find joy in reading this.


John MacArthur
I'm convinced the opening chapters of Genesis are not optional. They establish the vital foundation for everything we believe as Christians.
Sadly, it is a foundation that is being systematically undermined by the very institutions that should be most vigorously defending it. More and more Christian educational institutions, apologists, and theologians are abandoning faith in the literal truth of Genesis 1-3.

I recall reading a survey a few years ago which revealed that in one of America's leading evangelical accrediting associations, whose membership boasted scores of evangelical Bible colleges and universities, only five or six college-level schools remain solidly opposed to the old-earth view of creation. The rest are open to a reinterpretation of Genesis 1-3 that accommodates evolutionary theories.

Scores of well-known Bible teachers and apologists see the whole question as moot, and some even aggressively argue that a literal approach to Genesis is detrimental to the credibility of Christianity. They have given up the battle--or worse, joined the attack against biblical creationism.

I'm thankful for those who are still faithfully resisting the trend--organizations like Answers in Genesis, the Creation Research Society, and the Institute for Creation Research. These organizations and others like them involve many expert scientists who challenge the presuppositions of evolutionists on technical and scientific grounds. They clearly demonstrate that scientific proficiency is not incompatible with faith in the literal truth of Scripture--and that the battle for the beginning is ultimately a battle between two mutually exclusive faiths--faith in Scripture versus faith in anti-theistic hypotheses. It is not really a battle between science and the Bible.

As Christians, we believe the Bible is truth revealed to us by God, who is the true Creator of the universe. That belief is the basic foundation of all genuine Christianity. It is utterly incompatible with the speculative presuppositions of the naturalists.

In Scripture the Creator Himself has revealed to us everything essential for life and godliness. And it starts with an account of creation. If the biblical creation account is in any degree unreliable, the rest of Scripture stands on a shaky foundation.

But the foundation is not shaky. The more I understand what God has revealed to us about our origin, the more I see clearly that the foundation stands firm. I agree with those who say it is time for the people of God to take a fresh look at the biblical account of creation. But I disagree with those who think that calls for any degree of capitulation to the transient theories of naturalism. Only an honest look at Scripture, with sound principles of hermeneutics, will yield the right understanding of the creation and fall of our race.

The Bible gives a clear and cogent account of the beginnings of the cosmos and humanity. There is absolutely no reason for an intelligent mind to balk at accepting it as a literal account of the origin of our universe.  Although the biblical account clashes at many points with naturalistic and evolutionary hypotheses, it is not in conflict with a single scientific fact. Indeed, all the geological, astronomical, and scientific data can be easily reconciled with the biblical account. The conflict is not between science and Scripture, but between the biblicist's confident faith and the naturalist's willful skepticism.

To many, having been indoctrinated in schools where the line between hypothesis and fact is systematically and deliberately being blurred, that may sound naive or unsophisticated, but it is nonetheless a fact. Again, science has never disproved one word of Scripture, and it never will. On the other hand, evolutionary theory has always been in conflict with Scripture and always will be. But the notion that the universe evolved through a series of natural processes remains an unproven and untestable hypothesis, and therefore it is not "science." There is no proof whatsoever that the universe evolved naturally. Evolution is a mere theory--and a questionable, constantly-changing one at that. Ultimately, if accepted at all, it must be taken by sheer faith.

How much better to base our faith on the sure foundation of God's Word! There is no ground of knowledge equal to or superior to Scripture. Unlike scientific theory, it is eternally unchanging. Unlike the opinions of man, its truth is revealed by the Creator Himself! It is not, as many suppose, at odds with science. True science has always affirmed the teaching of Scripture. Archaeology, for instance, has demonstrated the truthfulness of the biblical record time and time again. Wherever Scripture's record of history may be examined and either proved or disproved by archaeological evidence or reliable independent documentary evidence, the biblical record has always been verified. There is no valid reason whatsoever to doubt or distrust the biblical record of creation, and there is certainly no need to adjust the biblical account to try to make it fit the latest fads in evolutionary theory.

Again, a biblical understanding of the creation and fall of humanity establishes the necessary foundation for the Christian world-view. Everything Scripture teaches about sin and redemption assumes the literal truth of the first three chapters of Genesis. If we wobble to any degree on the truth of this passage, we undermine the very foundations of our faith.

If Genesis 1-3 doesn't tell us the truth, why should we believe anything else in the Bible? Without a right understanding of our origin, we have no way to understand anything about our spiritual existence. We cannot know our purpose, and we cannot be certain of our destiny. After all, if God is not the Creator, then maybe He's not the Redeemer either. If we cannot believe the opening chapters of Scripture, how can we be certain of anything the Bible says?

To those who will inevitably complain that such a view is credulous and unsophisticated, my reply is that it is certainly superior to the irrational notion that an ordered and incomprehensibly complex universe sprung by accident from nothingness and emerged by chance into the marvel that it is.

Scripture offers the only accurate explanations that can be found anywhere about how our race began, where our moral sense originated, why we cannot seem to do what our own consciences tells us is right, and how we can be redeemed from this hopeless situation.

Scripture is not merely the best of several possible explanations. It is the Word of God.

© 2013 Grace to You. All rights reserved.

Hey everybody!  Welcome to the resource site for our group!  My prayer for this site is that it becomes a resource center for us to post and comment on additional aids for our study through the book of Genesis, as well as a place where we can share insight and revelation as God's Word is revealed to us.  I pray that it becomes part of the heart beat of our study and is a benefit to what we do!

The name of this page comes from Acts 2:42.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

This is my prayer.  That as we meet with one another and study the Word, we become like the disciples we find in the time of the early church.  That we begin living Acts 2:42 in our daily lives, not just with each other, but with the entire body of Christ!  Love you guys and I am looking forward to our time together in this study!

Eric