Feedback archive → Feedback 2015
Believing a ‘literal Genesis’ is ‘flesh-minded’?
Published: 19 September 2015 (GMT+10)

A correspondent, Kathryn C., commented on Philip Bell’s article, Free to believe as follows:
Your insistence on a “literal Genesis” betrays you. Such a finite, flesh-minded tenet shows a closed door against life in the Spirit. Didn't you hear the angel say, from within the narrow confines of your tomb of fixed time, “Why are you seeking the living among the dead? He is not here, he is risen”? cf. Galatians 4:8–11
Philip responds:
Your charge, that CMI’s ‘literal’ (better termed a historical-grammatical) reading of the early chapters of Genesis is ‘flesh-minded’, would be serious if true. The Bible teaches that “living in (according to) the flesh” is synonymous with submission to the bondage of the law, that is “the old way of the written code” (Romans 7:5–6); it is to be “sold under sin” (Romans 7:14) and to “serve the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). As you may know, Romans 7–8 and Galatians 5:16–25 contain extensive teaching on what it means to be ‘in the flesh’ and ‘in the spirit’.
The Genesis account of Creation/Fall/Flood etc. is nothing to do with “the law” which the Apostle Paul talks about in these two epistles and you would be hard pushed to find any theologian or qualified Bible exegete who would argue otherwise. God’s Word does not (cannot) contradict itself. Unquestionably, the Lord Jesus Christ (along with the apostles and New Testament writers) affirmed Genesis as history; see here and here (and Jesus was no ‘red-letter Christian’!). To say that they were “flesh-minded” would clearly be blasphemous.
Thus, your charge actually raises a sobering question. The Apostle Paul elaborates in detail on the contrast between living “according to the flesh” and “according to the Spirit” in Romans 8:1–16. For instance, “to set the mind on the flesh is death … For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. … Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6–8). While the context of Paul's discussion (as already indicated) has nothing to do with the historicity (or otherwise) of Genesis, there is an implied exhortation to “please God” and to ensure that our attitude is not one which is “hostile to God”. Paul declares, “those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For … to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:5–6). One would think that “the things of the Spirit” justifiably includes the things Jesus believed and taught—He in whom dwelt the Spirit of God in full measure (Colossians 2:9; compare Luke 4:1).
It is CMI’s view that one’s attitude to (and assessment of) Genesis 1–11 should conform to that of Christ and the other biblical writers; anything else qualifies as unbelief. And that certainly is serious.
Note that we are not saying that one must believe in a historical Genesis to be saved (see also Can Christians believe evolution?) But when it is shown that Jesus definitely believed Genesis, would it not be good to follow Him (unlike some theistic evolutionists)?
Readers’ comments
Truly it is important to note that “we are not saying that one must believe in a historical Genesis to be saved”—but just as when it comes to trust expressing itself in acts (i.e. obedience) I do see the “young earth position” as crucial: for koinonia. I confess not having the love to share all things with everyone calling themselves Christians. Especially I do see the similarities between P’rushim following the law (or, rather, upholding the fence of the law) to please men and different denominations following Darwin/Lyell to please men.
May wisdom rest with you all!
BTW, the so called evolution science is first of all not a science even by the standard of science. If people want to believe that there is no God, they can believe what where they want but why kill science by portraying evolution as science.
But I shouldn't be surprised. It's just disappointing that the ones I encounter who have much better arguments don't appear to have the courage to send them to you where they could be much better answered than by me.
He [Jesus] asked in return, ‘Have you never read that the Creator made them from the beginning male and female?’ — Mt§19:4
Well, what is being overlooked in this, it seems, is the fact that Jesus was the Creator, as these and many other Scriptures prove…
WHEN ALL THINGS began, the Word already was. The Word dwelt with God, and what God was, the Word was. The Word, then, was with God at the beginning, and through him all things came to be; no single thing was created without him. — Jn§1:1-3
So the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. — Jn§1:1-14
Ergo, the evolutionist’s tenet of a non-literal Genesis, incredibly, actually contradicts the Word of their Creator. Which begs the question: How is it possible for someone to have faith in the Son of God, if they don’t believe he knows the facts about what he created?
The Spirit minded creation & Genesis bought forth flesh, first with plant & fruit flesh, then animal, then man, then woman. All by the Spirit of God within 6 days, then God rested.
The Scriptures tell us plainly, but again, many seek to mutate the purity & truth of the Gospel for their own ends & sadly lose the truth in the process (devolution).
Comments are automatically closed 14 days after publication.