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By 
John Walton
 on January 16, 2013

Origins Today: Genesis Through Ancient Eyes

In this 4 – part video series, Old Testament scholar Dr. John Walton carefully examines what Genesis meant within the ancient cultural context in which it was written.

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The rift between faith and science in Christian circles today often results in the marginalization of Christians engaged in the sciences, impediments to evangelism, and the attrition of young believers who are told that Christianity is incompatible with the acceptance of evolution or an old earth. A close reading of Genesis 1–3 offers a fresh perspective on this complex issue by seeking to understand the message of Scripture within its ancient context. Analysis of the Genesis creation account and an evaluation of its ancient Near Eastern setting raise the question of whether the Bible provides modern scientific information related to our understanding of the natural world (e.g., cosmology, biology, or human origins), or whether it offers a theological, rather than material, framework for thinking about the cosmos–for example, God made everything and is sovereign over it. This question in turn leads us to inquire whether today’s scientific conclusions regarding old earth, common descent, and parentage of the human race necessarily conflict with the Bible or theology. ORIGINS TODAY: Genesis Through Ancient Eyes is a speaking initiative allowing engagement with diverse audiences on these critical topics throughout the United States and internationally during his sabbatical in 2013. ORIGINS TODAY does not presuppose or promote a particular scientific standpoint, but rather aims to facilitate a deeper reading of Scripture among Christians seeking to take the Bible seriously. In the process Christians who identify themselves with a variety of scientific conclusions will be offered insight into the broader compatibility between Bible and science.