Monthly Archives: August 2023

Session 017: Genesis 5: The Genealogy from Adam to Noah

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As we look at the genealogy of Adam to Noah, I think that you will be surprised at how much more is there than the genealogies. You are probably going to enjoy this session MUCH more than you expect. Especially since the entire chapter is nothing but a genealogy.

  • Scripture Audio:

    Presented as dramatizations from The Bible Gateway.

    Genesis 5

  • 5 Reasons you should read the Bibles Genealogies

    A short but insightful defense on why you should read the genealogies in the Bible.

    Article Link:

  • Making Sense of the Numbers of Genesis. Carol A. Hill

    This is the most complete article on numerology found in the book of Genesis that I could find. It is written as an academic article, so it is a little thick in a few places. This resource selection is replacing at least three separate ones that I was going to include.

    PDF Link:

  • Richard Middleton: Interpreting Biblical Genealogies

    This podcast is a good discussion on the possibilities for interpreting words differently within the context of Biblical Genealogies.

    Transcript Link:
    Podcast Link:

  • The Gospel in Genesis: A Hidden Message

    There is a Remez hidden in the Genealogy in chapter 5

    Article Link:

  • EXTRA CREDIT ARTICLES:

    A few extra credit resources. These resources wont be a direct part of the class discussion, but may prove helpful as you start looking into your own rabbit holes of study.

    The Case for the Septuagint’s Chronology in Genesis 5 and 11. Henry B. Smith Jr.

    This is another academic article on the various views of numerology found in Genesis. What I find interesting in this one is the detail of looking at the three different primary sources for the book of Genesis.

    Article Web Page:

    The Ages of the Antediluvian Patriarchs In Genesis 5

    A thorough summation of the different views for interpreting the ages within Genesis 5.

    Article Web Page:

In addition to the questions of concern listed above, here are a few other concepts to ponder as you work through this scripture and these resources.

  • What are your thoughts on the concepts of using numerology to explain the ages in the genealogy of chapter 5?
  • We usually think of their being a single source for Genesis. What are your thoughts about there being three different sources for the years listed in Chapter 5?
  • What are your thoughts on the interpretations of words such as begotten, begat, ‘had a son’, ‘became the father of’, ‘fathered’ and their potential meaning other than what we believe they mean with our Western perspective?
  • What are your thoughts about the meanings of the names in the genealogies outlining the story of Christ?
  • Now that you have studied these various resources; what do you personally feel is the biggest take-away from reading the genealogy in Genesis 5?

Session 016: Genesis 4: Cain and Abel: Where did Cain Find His Wife?

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We are still looking at the Cain and Abel story. This week we will focus on a few questions that are obvious to individuals who read this for the first time, but that the Western church just seems to gloss over as either not important, or not worth diving into since the answers are not obvious. For those who are either logical in their faith system or are literal in their interpretations of scripture, these are important questions that at least need to be addressed.

  1. If Cain was only the second generation, who was he afraid was going to kill him?
  2. Where did Cain get his wife? If a sister, was that incest?
  3. His parents were kicked out of Eden, what was he kicked out of and where did he go?

  • Scripture Audio:

    Presented as dramatizations from The Bible Gateway.

    Genesis 4

  • Where Did Cain Get His Wife?

    This is a short 2 minute video from crossexamined.org.

    Youtube Video Link:

  • Genesis 4: The Fall Continues

    A walk through the Cain and Abel story with some interesting interpolations with other Biblical scriptures. (13 minutes)

    Youtube Video Link:

  • What/where was the land of Nod in the Bible?

    What/where was the land of Nod in the Bible?

    Article Link:

  • Where did Cain’s Wife Come From?

    Bible Contexts – A five minute video arguing that our ancestors interbread with Neandertals without breaking anything within our reading of scripture.

    Youtube Video Link:

  • A LITERAL ADAM & EVE. NEANDERTHAL DNA, AND THE NEPHILIM

    Answered by Prof. Joshua Swamidass, Computational Biologist, Washington University
    Joshua Swamidass is a professor at Wahinton University and believes that the current scientific understanding of the evolutionary path of modern humanids does not conflict with Biblical literature

    Youtube Video Link:

  • EXTRA CREDIT ARTICLES:

    A few extra credit resources. These resources wont be a direct part of the class discussion, but may prove helpful as you start looking into your own rabbit holes of study.

    Cain in the Land of Nod, Terri Daniel, DMin, CT, CCTP

    Acedemic paper at Academia.edu by an alumnus of San Fracisco Theological Seminary.
    This paper started out as a rather good intellectual argument but then I felt like it started to stray. It has a few good points to pull out, but also represents the very real view of our current state of liberal theological and inclusionary thought within Western Society. Excellent read for perspectives of positions, arguments and reasonings that you will encounter in the the field when discussing Genesis chapter 4. Please read this with discernment as it holds favorable views found wihtin the acedemic and scientific communities, but does not look positively on many traditional church views. (You will need to register for academia.edu to download the article)

    Article Web Page:

    Where did Cain Get His Wife

    Good quick article from a Biblical perpsective that attempts to provide answers to these quistions without violating the enerrancy of the Bible

    Article Web Page:

    Who Were Cain and Abel’s Wives?

    Short and to the point answer from a Catholic perspective.

    Article Web Page:

In addition to the questions of concern listed above, here are a few other concepts to ponder as you work through this scripture and these resources.

  • What are your thoughts on Cain’s ‘separation’ actually being a philisophical or logical view of him being separated from his relationship with God instead of being physically or literally removed?
  • The term Nod is most often tranlated as meaning some sort of wandering. As such is this ‘Place’ more of a state of being than a physical place?
  • Does your personal belief lead you to thinking that the ‘others’ that Cain was worried about were his extended family decended from Adam and Eve or do you believe that there were other huminoids living at the same time in other locations? You can’t dodge this question. What will you answer when this comes up in conversation. Be able to articule your answer.
  • – Do you believe that the ability to articulate your answer (not necessarily even defend it) is more important than what your answer is?
  • You you believe that Cain’s wife was a sister? If so how do you argue/justify/defend the concept of incest in this case?

Session 015: Genesis: The Nature of Sin

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This weeks session will be a little different than our usual fare. So far we have dealt heavily on the actual scripture. This session will be a little more topical in nature than looking at a specific scripture in an expositorial fashion. The topic is the nature of sin. We have looked at the story of Eden and the story of Cain and Abel. So far sin has been an issue in each generation of humanity.

  • Scripture Audio:

    Presented as dramatizations from The Bible Gateway.

    Genesis 1
    Genesis 2
    Genesis 3
    Genesis 4

  • How to Read Genesis Part 1

    A high level over view of what we can take from the first part of Genesis. [Note: Requires an account on RightNow Media]

    Video Web Page:
    Video Link:

  • The End of Sin

    A short article from cochurch.org

    Article Web Page:

  • EXTRA CREDIT ARTICLES:

    These resourcs wont be a direct part of the class discussion, but may prove helpful as you start looking into your own rabbit holes of study.

    Original Choice, not Original Sin

    Karen Winslow, Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies at Azusa Pacific Seminary. A very interesting read that turns the concept of original sin on its head. (You will need to register for academia.edu to download the article)
    Article Web Page:

    Loren Haarsma, Four Approaches to Original Sin

    Loren Haarsma lays out four different approaches in his book, When Did Sin Begin? and talks with us in the episode about the approaches
    Podcast Web Page:
    Podcast direct Link:

Here are some questions to ponder as you think about the nature of sin.

  • Are we sinners because we sin?
  • Do we sin because we are sinners?
  • Are Christians Sinners or Saints (both or neither one)?
  • Is there a difference between individual acts of sin and the sin nature in mankind? (If so, what is the difference between those?)

NOTE: with regard to the questions listed above that we will discuss in the context of Genesis and “Cain & Abel” in particular; time permitting, let’s also feel free to consider some other points on this subject (the nature of sin) from other portions of scripture such as parts of Ephesians & Galatians.

Session 014: Genesis 4: Cain and Abel: The Sacrifices

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This week we will look at the Cain and Abel story again. We are going to focus on the sacrifices. There are many ways to look at the sacrifices. Thought: God knew Adam and Eve would sin, Cain continues the process, and this continues all throughout the Bible. It seems there is a problem with the offerings Cain and Abel brought. Is it an offering or a sacrifice? Think about this as you read the passages for this week’s lesson.

  • Scripture Audio:

    Presented as dramatizations from The Bible Gateway.

    Genesis 4

  • How did Cain and Abel know to sacrifice?

    A quick article covering how Cain and Abel knew to sacrifice.

    Article Web Page:

  • Why Did God Reject Cain’s Sacrifice?

    This article focuses on the four main theories or thoughts about why God chose one sacrifice over the other.e.

    Article Web Page:

  • Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better

    This article focuses on the very traditional view that Cain’s sacrifice was casual.

    Article Web Page:
    Text to Speach Audio Download:

  • EXTRA CREDIT ARTICLES:

    These resourcs wont be a direct part of the class discussion, but may prove helpful as you start looking into your own rabbit holes of study.

    Cain and Abel

    Unlike the other resources for this week, this one looks at the Grace of God towards Cain.

    Article Web Page:

    Cain and Abel: A Story of Rebellion, Judgment, and Grace

    This article looks at some of the nuance within this passage. While it requires a little interpretation, it is based on human personalities and reactions. There is some good insite here to be digested.

    Article Web Page:

    Lessons From the Garden: Why Did Cain and Abel Offer a Sacrifice to God?

    In this article the concept of faith as it relates to the sacrifices is looked at. It is another interesting look at thsis scripture.

    Article Web Page:

As you study the scripture from the point of view of the sacrifices, consider these questions:

  • Was it God’s choice?
  • A problem with attitude or motive?
  • The quality of the sacrifice, was one a sacrifice and the other an offering?
  • Was it their occupation?
  • Was it their heart?