Understanding Genesis: How to Analyze, Interpret, and Defend Scripture

by Jason Lisle

There are many opinions and subsequent interpretations on the Book of Genesis. What did the author of Genesis intend and how can we possibly know, or is the important thing only what the Bible “means to you”? In this book, Dr. Jason Lisle answers questions such as:

- What are the most common mistakes people make in trying to understand Genesis?
- What are the necessary rules of biblical interpretation, and what is the proper role of science in understanding the Bible?
- How does one identify the various types of biblical literature, and how do the rules of interpretation handle each type – poetic,
prophetic, historical, etc.?

Is there one correct interpretation of the Bible, or are there many? Discover why alternative positions are rationally impossible. Unlock a powerful understanding of God’s Word and equip yourself with a reasoned defense against those who distort the Word of God.

Genres: Theology, Faith, Religion, Christian

496 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2015

About the author

Dr. Jason Lisle is an astrophysicist who formerly worked for the creationist organization Answers in Genesis as both a speaker and researcher, but is now Director of Research at the Institute for Creation Research.

Dr. Lisle is a creationist who has a PhD in Astrophysics, which he obtained through the University of Colorado in Boulder. His postgraduate research concentrated on solar dynamics, utilizing NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) to monitor the surface of the sun. His PhD dissertation "Probing the Dynamics of Solar Supergranulation and its Interaction with Magnetism." is available from the University of Colorado and he has also published numerous papers in scientific literature concerning convection cells in the sun.

Although some creationists claim, as in the film Expelled, that holding to creationist beliefs while pursing a degree at an accredited University will get you kicked out, Dr. Jason Lisle recieved his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University summa cum laude with a double-major in physics and astronomy and a minor in mathematics. For his thesis and dissertation, (Master's and Ph.D accordingly,) though members of his Peer-Review Panel might have been aware of his young Earth beliefs - their evaluation of his work was based on his actual research and not his personal beliefs.

Reviews

[BooksNCrannies · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'That's your interpretation! The Bible doesn't really mean what you think it does.' Such statements are common today when disputes arise over biblical issues. It's no longer enough to say, 'Thus says the Lord,' because people will respond, 'But what does the Lord really mean by what He says? You are not interpreting the passage correctly.' Is the Bible really so hard to understand?"

✏️ Review ✏️

Understanding Genesis is an apologetics goldmine! In clear, concise, accessible language, Dr. Lisle explains and illustrates the proper methods of biblical interpretation by employing biblical directives and the laws of logic. Lisle smoothly introduces the rules of biblical interpretation by laying an understandable and accessible foundation to the key concepts involved. By using the Book of Genesis as an example, Dr. Lisle puts biblical directives, interpretational principles, and the laws of logic to work — What exactly is the correct interpretation of Genesis? Is there anyway to know? Dr. Lisle shows that without a doubt, logically and hermeneutically, there is only one correct interpretation of the book of Genesis. Any other interpretation is wrought with logical fallacies and distorted hermeneutics. That discussion in and of itself is enough to read this book. But there's ton of more stuff that's discussed: evaluating common hermeneutical errors, types of Bible literature and how to properly interpret each, the Bible's instructions on interpretation, illustrating eisegesis vs. exegesis, exploring different types of logical fallacies, and so much more.

I was surprised (quite literally!) at the simplicity in which Lisle unpacks and presents other seemingly complex subjects. His many illustrative points, real-life applications, and utilization of the laws of logic make Understanding Genesis a powerful and valuable tool for one's analysis, interpretation, and defense of the Word of God. Understanding Genesis: How to Analyze, Interpret, and Defend Scripture is an invaluable resource — a clear and comprehensive study on proper biblical interpretation, analysis, and defense. I strongly recommend this excellent resource! You will not regret taking the time to read it. 5 out of 5 stars for nonfiction excellence!

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📊 A Quick Overview 📊

👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The clear, comprehensive presentation on the correct analysis, proper interpretation, and a reasoned defense of God's Word.
• The accessibility with which the seemingly complex topics are presented.
• The smooth introduction of presenting these topics by first laying an accessible and understandable foundation of key concepts.
• The utilization of illustrative points, real-life examples, and the laws of logic to provide further didactics and instruction.
• The application of hermeneutics and logic by critiquing flawed contemporary Bible/science works and other unsound media that deny essential Bible doctrines, such as the Trinity, eternal punishment in hell for unbelievers, the deity of Jesus Christ, etc.
• The mini review section at the end of each chapter.

👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• (Can't think of a thing.)

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❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓

— Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, of course!!*

— To whom? To those who are looking for a comprehensive and clear yet accessible resource on proper biblical interpretation and a well-reasoned defense of the Word of God.

*(Note: I leave it up to each individual to decide the maturity and discernment level required to read the books I recommend, based on my content warnings below [in my Book Breakdown]. My content warnings [if any] should always be considered alongside my recommendations when deciding who these books are best suited for.)

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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 5/5)
~Fundamentals {Nonfiction Version}: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📑 Didactics: 5/5

— 📝 Writing: 4.5/5

— 👀 Engagement: 5/5

— 🧩 Clarity: 5/5

~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)

— 🤬 Language: 0/5

— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5

— ⚠️ Sexual: 1/5

• Just one mention of homosexuality.

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📣 Random Comments 📣

• (None)

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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬

• (None; can't remember if I had any or not.)

[Kerry Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book focuses on Genesis, its clearly-presented concepts on rational thought and careful thinking apply to the entire Bible and to the world of literature in general. Whether you agree with Dr. Lisle's worldview or not, this is an excellent tool for helping one understand what ANY author meant by what he wrote (independent of whether or not one agrees with the author's message--because, in order to decide whether you agree or not, you MUST KNOW what it is you're accepting or rejecting!). I recommend this for all readers high school and up, and fer even advanced students of middle-school age.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focused on debating Christians who incorrectly interpret the Bible to support their belief in evolution. The book also included a large Appendix in showing, through Scripture, the doctrine of the Trinity and how to defend it against bad hermeneutics from those who deny it. The last Appendix was on logical fallacies.

[Bartwaldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best hermeneutics book I have read. He spends the first 200 pages discussing the principles of proper interpretation and corresponding logical fallacies when violated. The later 250 pages are dedicated to point-by-point application of what you learn by examining bad hermeneutical arguments.

[Tara Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear discussion

Very clearly written and tightly argued. He devastated the confusion promoted by a Hugh Ross. A great aid to anyone at any level studying creation and Bible interpretation.

[Sean C. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

So good! An amazing tool to learn how to better understand God’s word, and see error in gals interpretations of it.

[Tintinrulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Understanding Genesis: How to Analyze, Interpret, and Defend Scripture" by Dr. Jason Lisle is excellent for what it is (a book concerning biblical hermeneutics), but it's a very, very dense (as in thorough) and there are many terms related to the rules (principles) of biblical interpretation that take some getting used to. For each principle, there is a corresponding fallacy (mistake in reasoning) when that principle is violated. Lisle lays the groundwork for why it's necessary to analyze, interpret and defend scripture correctly. He explores common hermeneutical principles and fallacies. Principles include: Contextual, Explicit Constrains the implicit, Substitution, Fact-Value, Red Letter, Accommodation, Progressive Revelation, Text, Silence, and The Translation Principle and Bible Translations. Fallacies include: Incidental, Superfluous Distinction, Reliability of Ignorance, The Point Is, Root, and Semantic Anachronism.

From this groundwork Lisle explores the early chapters of Genesis, as discussed by Dr. Hugh Ross (a leading old-age 'creationist') and Dr. Francis Collins of BioLogos (a leading theistic evolutionist). Lisle refutes both beliefs with ease, especially Collins. Much material from these particular chapters was familiar to me, as I've read a book by Dr. Jonathan Sarfati that refutes Dr. Hugh Ross' beliefs and does a damn fine job of it. Lisle's book ends with two appendices. In the first, he dialogues with a heretic. This appendix is probably the highlight of the book. Over the course of some 90 pages, Lisle (lovingly, but firmly) defends the truth of the Trinity in relation to the Gospel. It really is a must-read. The second appendix, concerning formal fallacies, isn't nearly as compelling and much of it went over my head. Through reading this book I've discovered that have some wrong ideas about interpreting the Bible that I need to correct. This was both humbling and encouraging.

In short, while "Understanding Genesis" is comprehensive and rather dry, I believe it's a necessary read for all Christians, so they can explore the Word logically (with correct reasoning) and better discern false teachings when they encounter them. That said, an abridged version may be necessary. This isn't a book to rush. Read it slowly and you'll appreciate it more. Highly recommended.

9/10