Creation, Fall, Restoration

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Andrew S. Kulikovsky’s Creation, Fall, Restoration (CFR) is a welcome addition to a growing list of books supporting young-earth creationism. His primary purpose in this book is to defend the traditional interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis and other pertinent texts, along with treating other issues such as our stewardship of creation and its future restoration. While Kulikovsky’s work is an academic defense, he provides a readable text that is a basic exegetical and theological explanation and defense of the biblical text, as well as refuting common evangelical interpretative schemes that undermine the traditional reading of Genesis.

CFR is made up of the following twelve chapters (pp. 13-285).

Why a Biblical Theology of Creation?

Scripture, Science, and Interpretation

Creation and Genesis: A Historical Survey

The Genesis Account: Its Purpose and Function

Formation, Re-creation or Creation Ex Nihilo?

The Days of Creation: God’s Creative Activities

The Days of Creation: Meaning and Significance

Creation of Humanity and the Garden of Eden

The Fall and Its Effects

The Flood and Its Effects

Creation, Preservation, and Dominion

Creation Restored

The twelve chapters are followed by a commendable bibliography (pp. 286-302) and a scripture index.

While this book has many positive features, let me highlight two of these. First, the foundation for this book is the crucial distinction that he makes between general and special revelation. “General revelation,” according to Kulikovsky, “reveals to all humanity, past and present that God exists, the He created the universe and everything in it, and that He is great and powerful. Thus, the physical world is not a second book of revelation from God, but a signpost pointing to God the almighty Creator” (p. 25). In contrast, special revelation is the Creator’s explicit communication to man in human language “regarding truth that is inherently inaccessible to human perception and inquiry” (pp. 26-27). As such, it is impossible for general revelation to explain God’s original creation. Knowledge about origins can only be derived from the special revelation of Scripture. Kulikovsky’s commitment to the inerrant special revelation of Scripture provides a solid foundation CFR.

Second, I profitably enjoyed reading Kulikovsky’s treatment of creation, the fall, and the flood in chapters 4???10 (pp. 85???238). Because of his solid and readable substance, I believe other believers will also benefit. More specifically, these chapters nicely dovetail with a biblical creation class that I teach at DBTS. In these chapters, the author provides basic exegesis and helpful theological insights.

Because CFR calls believers to embrace a literal read of Genesis 1???11 as well as providing an example of how to interpret these chapters, I recommend that you purchase this book and make it a basic part of your reading on creationism. CFR will be basic reading in my classes on biblical creationism.

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PhD Creation Seminar

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This week I am leading the first part of a biblical creation seminar for PhD students at Central Baptist Seminary in Plymouth, MN. Today was our first day of class. We met for 7 to 8 hours and our interaction with multiple sources was good.

The seminar involves everyone doing a critique of multiple sources totaling 3,709 pages as well as each participant writing six short papers. If you are interested in looking at course requirements, go here.

I was encouraged by our seminar participation today and feel like we are off to a great start. In addition, it is great to see that Central Baptist Seminary like Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary is promoting a biblically-based approach to young-earth creationism.

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