Glossary of Key Terms
Genesis: Meaning "beginning" or "commencement"; the first book of the Bible, detailing the origins of the universe, humanity, sin, and other foundational concepts.
Modernistic World: Refers to contemporary secular thought and intellectual trends that often dismiss traditional religious narratives, including biblical accounts, as non-historical or mythological.
Historical Fact/Reality: The belief that events, people, and places described in Genesis actually existed and occurred as recorded, rather than being symbolic, allegorical, or fictional.
Myth/Legend/Fable: Stories or narratives that are not considered to be actual historical occurrences but may convey cultural, religious, or moral truths through symbolic means.
God's Scheme of Redemption: The overarching divine plan for the salvation of mankind from sin, which began with creation and the fall, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His church.
Trustworthiness of Jesus: The reliability and truthfulness of Jesus Christ's words, teachings, and claims. The text argues that questioning Genesis's historicity implicitly questions Jesus's trustworthiness.
Noah and the Flood: A key event described in Genesis chapters 6-9, involving a global deluge and the survival of Noah, his family, and animals in an ark. Referenced by Jesus as a historical event.
Creation of Male and Female: The account in Genesis 1 and 2 detailing God's creation of humanity as male and female, foundational to the biblical understanding of marriage. Referenced by Jesus.
Serpent's Deception of Eve: The event in Genesis 3 where the serpent (identified as Satan) deceives Eve, leading to the first human sin. Referenced by both Jesus and Paul.
Adam (as "one man"): The first human being, whose disobedience, as described in Genesis 3, is presented by Paul in Romans 5:12 as the means through which sin and death entered the world.
Apostle Paul: A prominent New Testament apostle whose letters frequently refer to and base theological arguments on events and principles from the Book of Genesis.
Natural Use (Romans 1): Paul's concept in Romans 1 referring to the God-ordained order and purpose for human sexuality, established "since the creation of the world."
Order of Creation (1 Timothy 2): Paul's argument for gender roles in the church, based on the sequence of creation ("Adam was formed first, then Eve") as described in Genesis.
Gospel: The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, which the text connects to the foundational problem of sin introduced in Genesis.
Repentance: A change of mind leading to a change of action; turning away from sin. Presented as a necessary step for salvation.
Confession: A verbal acknowledgment or declaration of belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Presented as a necessary step for salvation.
Baptism: An immersion in water for the remission of sins, signifying one's union with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Presented as a necessary step for salvation.
Remission of Sins: The forgiveness or washing away of sins, achieved through the blood of Christ.
Body of Christ/Church: The spiritual community of believers, into which individuals are added by the Lord upon their obedience to the gospel plan.
