Who Wrote Genesis?

by Dr. Ted Burleson

Question: “I was thinking this last Sunday. Who wrote Genesis? I know it is God’s word but someone put it to paper. Who wrote that?”

Does anyone else remember learning Bible facts from flash cards? On one side of the card was a question posed by the teacher to the students. Raised hands indicated anticipated answers. When the correct answer was given, the teacher usually revealed the printed answer on the backside of the card. One of the flash cards I remember from childhood was, “Who wrote Genesis?” If I had replied anything other than Moses, I would have been told that I was incorrect.

After thirty-five years in ministry and a few degrees here and there, I would still give that simple answer; Moses wrote Genesis. However, I suppose the person who purposed the question wants a deeper answer, so we will explore the topic more carefully. Library shelves are loaded down with volumes of books on this topic but let’s cut to the chase and keep it simple. Moses was inspired (God-breathed) by the Holy Spirit to write the words he penned (2 Tim 3:16).

It does not weaken my faith at all to consider the possibility that the Holy Spirit guided Moses in the use of some reliable sources in the authorship of Genesis. Just as Luke collected materials and made a careful investigation for his Gospel (cf. Luke 1:3) Moses may have stitched together information to be included in the book we call Genesis. It is obvious that the five key figures are featured in various parts of Genesis lived hundreds of years apart (Adam, Lamech, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham).

Now the question is, “What sources might he have used?” In 1991, a scholar by the name of Duane Garrett wrote a book by the title, Rethinking Genesis. Garrett proposes that Moses had a written document that was the initial information about the centuries before his birth. He was also raised in a Hebrew home and was told the stories that had been told to his parents, grandparents, and other ancestors through the years. Guided by the Spirit, Moses may have penned a version of Genesis while he lived.

There is also the possibility that after Moses died, someone edited his work. We know that this is very probable when we read of Moses’ death and burial in the land of Moab (Deut 34:5, 6). The Genesis that we read today has gone through a long journey from the sources Moses used, Moses’ own hand, and perhaps an editor of Moses’ work after his death. We must take care to never underestimate the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the writing of Scripture. Who wrote Genesis? Moses did, of course.

Were There Any Jewish Hermeneutical Patterns for Interpreting Old Testament Scriptures?

Answered by Cory Collins

One way to approach this question would be by examining the four canonical gospels. The interaction between Jesus and the Jews of his day reveals the use of Jewish hermeneutical patterns and principles.

For example, the Jews recognized the value of commands. Both Jesus (Matt 22:34-40) and an expert in the Law (Luke 10:25-28) answered the same way when asked about the greatest commandment. This evidences the hermeneutical pattern that sees all other commandments as they relate to these two that are primary: to love God and to love one’s neighbor.

The first-century Jews also appreciated inferences in their hermeneutics. The Sadducees (Matt 22:23-33) started with the teaching from Deut 25 about Levirate marriage and inferred falsely from it that there could not be a resurrection of the dead. If there were, they reasoned, whose wife would the woman be? In the same context (Matt 22:23-33) Jesus started with Ex 3, the passage about the bush. He inferred properly from it that God is the God of the living and that, therefore, the patriarchs must still be alive, even after their death.

In the gospels one finds the use of examples, type/antitype, predictive prophecy and fulfillment, and other kinds of Jewish hermeneutical patterns used in interpreting OT Scriptures. These were recognized by Jesus, by his disciples, and by his critics in every discussion that they had.

Where Are They Now?

            Last week, HCU alumus Rusty Pettus asked us concerning the whereabouts of some former IBC/HCU instructors. Here is what we uncovered.

Basil Overton is living with his daughter, Tessa, and her family in Anniston, Alabama.

Dr. Jim Smeal is living in Montgomery and teaching with Amridge University.

             Dr. David Warren has also transitioned to Montgomery where he teaches for Amridge.

             Dr. Coy and Sharlotte Roper are semi-retired in Texas. Dr. Roper completed his commentary on Exodus in the Truth for Today Commentary Series.

             Jerry and Alta Davidson are retired and living in Florence. Jerry serves as an elder with the Chisholm Hills congregation.

             Dr. Nathan Segars preaches for the West President church of Christ in Greenwood, Mississippi.

             Willard Pyles is retired and resides in Cullman, Alabama.

             Larry Murdock preaches for the Gandy Church of Christ in Tennessee.

             Drs. Steven and Cynthia Guy are transitioning from Woodson Chapel Church of Christ to the Myrtle Beach Church of Christ in June. Cindy’s book, Struggle, Seek, Grow (Gospel Advocate 2011) is receiving rave reviews.

             Frank Foust resides in Florence, Alabama, and is currently preaching for the Plainview congregation.

            Dr. Kippy Myers teaches for Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee.

            Dr. Joel Stephen Williams resides here in Florence and teaches adjunct for both HCU and Amridge University.

            Dr. David Lipe taught at Freed-Hardeman University and is now preaching for a congregation in Clarksville, Tennessee.