In the Beginning

In the Beginning: The Opening Chapters of Genesis
by Henri Blocher
Inter-Varsity Press

This is an excellent and scholarly work on the opening chapters of Genesis by the French Reformed theologian, Henri Blocher.

Although my main interest in reading the book was for Blocher's explanation of the framework hypothesis for Genesis chapter one, the book actually deals with most of Genesis 1-11. This is not a commentary, it is a theological exposition.

Blocher is not afraid to take both scientists and literalists to task for their approaches to creation, though he clearly has some sympathy with creationists, who at least take the Bible seriously.

Blocher is not afraid to see some non-literal elements in Genesis, not only in the creation week of chapter one, but also in the method of creating Eve in Genesis 2 and in the talking snake of Genesis 3. I think it fair to say Blocher does see elements of myth in these first three chapters of the Bible, but only in the sense that they convey historical events in non-historical ways.

I would not be as reluctant as Blocher to take some of the elements in Genesis 2 and 3 literally, but I think he does a good job of showing that believing in the truth and trustworthiness of the Bible is not tied to a strict literalist approach to Genesis.

Blocher is thorough in his explanation of why Genesis One should be read as a non-chronological framework, written with a polemical, didactic and doxological purpose. He notes the recurring patterns of the numbers 3, 7 and 10 for example, the parallelism of the days, and other elements and concludes that neither the original writer or his readers would have taken the narrative in the literal manner adopted by modern day creationists.

This book is thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the framework view of Genesis One. It is not an easy read however as it deals with a wide range of biblical scholarship including literalists like Morris and Whitcomb, and treating all with respect and openness to their point of view, even if he cannot accept it.