John H. Sailhamer - Genesis unbound : a provocative new look at the creation account

Genesis Unbound is a startlingly refreshing and innovative interpretation of the text of Genesis 12. It is an altogether new way of seeking the much needed rapprochement between the young and old earth Bible believers. Not everyone will adopt all of the features of this reverent treatment of the text, but all will find plenty to challenge their thinking in areas that they might have previously thought were consistent with the biblical text. This volume will be talked about for years to come.

WALTER C. KAISER JR., Ph.D.

President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Ethics Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

In many ways traditional or classical in his approach, Sailhamer is at the same time innovative and creative (no pun intended). He will force you to rethink your current understanding of the Genesis creation narrative.

RONALD YOUNGBLOOD, Ph.D.

Professor of Old Testament
International College and Graduate School

If you think you know what Genesis 1 and 2 say, you may, after reading Genesis Unbound be not a little surprised at what you have missed. Sailhamer, anything but conventional, strips away interpretive barnacles in this careful and stimulating analysis. He is in touch with current scholarship, but he significantly capitalizes on input by commentators from an earlier, pre-scientific period. In Genesis Unbound he proposes that all but the first verse of Genesis 1 and 2 have to do with God preparing the land of Palestine for Israel. Sound far-fetched? Follow the clues in the text and Sailhamers arguments. Compelling? More so than one might first think. This is a work by an author unbound except for being intent on listening to the biblical text. Sailhamer has so focused on the text itself that his work must be taken seriously. Here is a refreshing visit to a fundamental Scripture by an evangelical scholar of stature.

ELMER A. MARTENS, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Old Testament
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

Many book titles promise more than they can deliver. Genesis Unbound , however, yields more than first meets the eye. Not only is the reader furnished a provocative new interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2, but he is treated to a lesson in hermeneutical exercise. Professor Sailhamer invites us to think carefully through these creation accounts in the full light of their grammatical, historical and cultural, literary, and theological contexts so that through the text we may understand what the original author intended his readers to know. All of this is presented in a lucid and lively style that is sure to stimulate todays readers to examine their own previous approaches to these crucial chapters.

RICHARD PATTERSON, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Liberty University

Genesis Unbound represents a fresh and provocative challenge to traditional, classical, and popular understanding of the first two chapters of the Bible by one of todays foremost evangelical authorities on the Book of Genesis. Dr. Sailhamers conclusions are based upon a detailed analysis of the biblical text and a thorough understanding of the history of its interpretation. But the structure and style of presentation are deliberately geared to lay readers. All who wrestle with the perplexing questions raised by the biblical account of creation will welcome this study by a scholar with an uncompromisingly high view of Scripture.

DANIEL L. BLOCK, Ph.D.

Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament
Wheaton College

Genesis Unbound is a truly unique book. The book presents a fresh, yet apparently ancient perspective on the early chapters of Genesis. This book needs to be read, pondered, and perhaps read again by all who seek to understand these crucial early chapters of Genesis.

RAYMOND G. BOHLIN, Ph.D.

Executive Director
Probe Ministries

GENESIS UNBOUND: A PROVOCATIVE NEW LOOK
AT THE CREATION ACCOUNT
1996, 2011 by John H. Sailhamer

First edition published 1996. Second edition 2011.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Dawson Media, 3820 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. www.dawsonmedia.com

DAWSON MEDIA and the DAWSON MEDIA logo are registered trademarks of Dawson Media. Absence of in connection with marks of Dawson Media or other parties does not indicate an absence of registration of those marks.

ISBN Information for Formats of this Book:

1996 Paperback: ISBN 0-88070-868-9

2011 Paperback: ISBN: 978-1-935651-21-5

2011 Kindle eBook: 978-1-935-65132-1

2011 ePub eBook: 978-1-935-65133-8

Cover design by DOXA
Cover photo courtesy of STScI

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are the authors own translation. Also quoted: the Holy Bible, NewInternational Version (NIV). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010939360

FOREWORD

A SUSTAINED WORLDVIEW BATTLE RAGES between Christians and those of other beliefs regarding the origins of our universe and its life. That same controversy also roils the Christian community.

There is unprecedented cultural, academic, archaeological, political, theological, judicial, and scientific interest in this simple question: What do the first two chapters of the Hebrew Bible reveal regarding God and creation?

John Sailhamer takes that challenge in Genesis Unbound with exactly the right combination of courage and expertise. He is an Old Testament scholar with an enormous respect for the Hebrew text. Even those who would never agree that Genesis 1 and 2 should have the last word would no doubt allow it to at least have the first word.

What does THE BIBLE say?

How do we know what the Bible says? How will we define key terms and understand foundational concepts? In simplest terms, let the Bible speak for itself, or let Scripture interpret Scripture.

Sailhamers commitment to develop an understanding of the opening chapters of Genesis from the Bible itself, rather than from science or philosophy, drew us to Genesis Unbound . Though we both are trained in science and deeply believe in integrating a Christian worldview, we concur that one must first understand the Bible on its own terms.

We also confess that this can be challenging.

In what terms does one define a day? Or, of even more importance, is that the right question? Are the first chapters of Genesis simply hymns or poetry? Should we modify our interpretation according to our audience and propose Scientific Creationism (old earth) in secular schools and Biblical Creationism (young earth) in our churches and Christian schools? Have we driven young believers away from the gospel by demanding nonsensical interpretations? And finally, have we silenced older believers by creating a contradictory faith by demanding a choice between science and Scripture?

Our challenge to you: open your Bible and look carefully to see what it actually teaches as you work through this book. If you are willing, let your modern understandings be shaped by the biblical authors intent.

Genesis Unbound provides a scriptural resolution to these issues. It will bring clarity and hope for all who have struggled for a sound understanding that allows Scripture to live alongside of what science is also discovering and confirming.

GERRY BRESHEARS, Ph.D.
MERRIT QUARUM, M.D.