Genesis is a book consisting of two contrasting parts : the first introduces us into the greatest problems of the human mind, such as the creation and the fall of man ; and the second into the quiet solitude of a small, de- fined circle of families. In the former, the most sub- lime and wonderful events are described with child- like simplicity ; wliile in the latter, on the contrarj^, the most simple and common occurrences are interwo- ven with tlie sublimest thoughts and reflections, ren- dering tlie small family circle a whole world in histo- ry, and the principal actors in it prototypes for a whole nation and for all times. Not the least trace of mj'thology appears in it. Genesis plainly shows how verjf far remote the Hebrew mode of thinking was from mytliical poetry, whicli might have found ample opportunity of being brought into play wlien the writer l>egan to sketcli the early times of the Cre- ation. It is true that the primeval wonders, the mar- vellous deeds of God, are the verj' subject of Genesis. None of these wonders, however, bear a fantastical impress, and there is no useless prodigality of them. They are all penetrated and connected l)y one common leading idea, and all are related to the counsel of God for the salvation of man. This principle slieds its lus- trous beams through the whole of Genesis; therefore the wonders therein related are as little to be ascribed to the invention and imagination of man as the whole plan of God for human salvation. Tlie foundation of the divine tlieocratic institution throws a strong light upon tlie early patriarchal times ; the reality of the one proves the reality of the other, as described in Genesis.
Luther used to .saj', "Nihil pulchrius Gencsi, nihil utilius." Rut hard critics have tried all they can to mar its beautj' and to detract from its utility. In fact, the bitterness of the attacks on a document so venerable, so full of undying interest, hallowed by the love of many generations, maizes one almost suspect that a secret malevolence must have lieen the main- spring of liostile criticism. Certain it is tliat no book has met with more determined and unsparing assail- ants. To enumerate and to rejdy to all objections would lie impossible. We will only refer to some of the most important.
1. The story of Creation, as given in the first chap- ter, has been set aside in two ways : first, b}' placing it on the same level with otlier cosmogonies wliich arc to be found in the sacred writings of all nations ; and
next, by asserting that its statements are directlj' con- tradicted Ij}- the discoveries of modern science.
(«.) Now when we compare the Biblical with all other known cosmogonies, we are immediatel}' struck with the great nio?-«/ superiority of the former. There is no confusion here between the divine Creator and his work. God is before all things, God creates all things ; this is the sublime assertion of the Hebrew writer. On the contrary', all the cosmogonies of the heathen world err in one of two directions : either they are dualistic, that is, they regard God and matter as two eternal co-existent principles ; or they are pantlieistic, i. e. they confound God and matter, making the mate- rial universe a kind of emanation from the great Spirit which informs the mass. Both these theories, with their various modifications, whether in the more subtle philosophemes of the Indian races, or in tlie rougher and grosser systems of the Phoenicians and Babyloni- ans, are alike exclusive of the idea of creation. With- out attempting to discuss in anything like detail the points of resemblance and difference between the Bib- lical record of creation and the mytlis and legends of other nations, it may suffice to mention certain particu- lars in which the superiority of tlie Hebrew account can hardly be called in question. First, the Hebrew story alone clearly acknowledges the personality and unity of God. Secondly, here onlj' do we find recog- nised a distinct act of creation, by creation being un- derstood the calling of the whole material universe into existence out of nothing. Thirdly, there is here only a clear intimation of that great law of progress which we find everj'wliere observed. The order of creation, as given in Genesis, is the gradual progress of all things, from the lowest and least perfect to the highest and most completelj^ developed forms. Fourthly, there is the fact of a relation between the personal Creator and the work of his fingers, and that relation is a rela- tion of love ; for God looks upon his creation at every stage of its progress, and pronounces it very good. Fifthly, there is throughout a sublime simplicity which of itself is characteristic of a history, not of a myth or of a philosophical speculation. See Cheatiok.
(p.) It would occupy too large a space to discuss at any length the objections which have been urged from the results of modern discovery against tlie literal truth of tliis chapter. One or two remarks of a general kind must here suffice. It is argued, for instance, that light could not. have existed before the sun, or, at any rate, not that kind of li.tcht which would be necessary for the support of vegetable life ; wliereas the ^Mosaic nar- rative makes liglit created on the first day, trees and plants on the third, and the sun on tlie fourth. To this we may reply, that we must not too hastily build an argument upon our ignorance. We do not know that the existing laws of creation were in operation when the creative fiat was first put forth. Tlie very act of creation must have l)ccn the introducing of laws ; but when the work M-as finislied, those laws must have suff'ered some modification. Men are not now created in the full stature of manhood, but are born and grow. Similarh", the lower ranks of lieing might liave been influenced by certain necessary conditions during the first stages of their existence, which conditions were afterwards removed without anj- disturbance of the natural functions. Again, it is not certain that the language of Genesis can only mean that the sun was created on the fourth day. It nxri/ mean that then only did that luminary become visible to our planet.