Phil and the gang discuss a new book that suggests finding “the one thing” you are meant to do or “the one person” you are supposed to marry! Then they move on to the historical belief some Christians hold that America has a special covenant with God! After discussing “the one” and American History, Dr. John Walton, an Old Testament scholar and professor at Wheaton College, joins the crew to talk about his books The Bible Story Handbook and The Lost World of Genesis One.
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Dr. John Walton is an Old Testament professor at Wheaton College. His area of interest is on studies comparing the culture and literature of the Bible and the ancient Near East. Previously, he served on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He has written 15 books, including The Lost World of Genesis One and commentaries on Obadiah through Jonah.
Today’s show was as entertaining as ever. The John Walton interview was fascinating, but I felt Left Behind ® in the intellectual department. I could, however, relate to him when he mentioned driving off the road in frustration dealing with his child.
==> secret msg to Christian Taylor: Read WITH by Skye Jethani <==
Hi all! Just wanted to say that we LOVED the discussion with John Walton. We did not find it confusing at all, and in fact it brought great clarity to many questions we’ve had for years. We had also arrived at the same conclusion about what is appropriate for instruction in school and have had very similar communication with our children’s teachers and school administrators. We’ve been able to express concerns on a completely intellectual and philosophical level which has been so much more effective than if we had been making our case from a religious standpoint. At any rate, please have John on again. We were truly saddened when the program ended. 🙂
We also purchased his book “The Lost World of Genesis One” as a result of Phil’s first program on the subject and have found it extremely enlightening and are thrilled that Dr. Walton has had this tremendous insight which can serve to bring much needed peace between scientists and people of faith.
Thanks Phil (and crew) for bringing to the table such tasty mind and soul food. 🙂
One more thing… was this conversation edited? It seemed to jump very quickly from day one to day seven, for instance. If so, any chance that you may release the full unedited conversation at some point? Or, at least the portions that were edited out, if any? That would be really great! 🙂 Just curious.
Thank you so much for having Dr. Walton on the show! I’ve started reading his book and am even quoting him in an essay I’m writing right now on old-earth/young-earth creation viewpoints. I love his fresh, interesting perspective! It makes me excited about studying the Bible. 🙂
Maybe Adam and Eve realized they were naked after their skin cells died…Like a snake shedding it’s dead skin-is it naked then??
Here are my issues with Dr. Walton’s argument:
First, didn’t the ancients ask questions about the “House” as well as the “Home”? Is it not possible that the ancients, like ourselves up to 100 years ago, would have assumed that accounts like Genesis 1 are describing both the “House” as well as the “Home”, to use Dr. Walton’s metaphors?
Two, what does one do with Exodus 20:11 where it is clear that the basis for Israel’s observance of the Sabbath is that God make the heavens and the earth in 6 literally days?
Hi David – Walton would say that, based on study of the writing and thought in the ancient near east, ancients were much more about function (home) than material (house). Could Gen 1 be about both? Yes. It could be. But it’s equally likely that it’s just about function (home).
Regarding Exodus 20:11, the ESV Study Bible notes say that Ex 20:11 is a reference to Gen 1, and means whatever Gen 1 means. In other words, Ex 20:11 doesn’t shape the meaning of Gen 1. Gen 1 shapes the meaning of Ex 20:11. Obviously you could interpret it differently, but that would most likely be Walton’s view as well. (By the way, Zondervan just released their cultural contextual study Bible, giving historical and cultural context alongside the text. The entire OT was put together by Walton. In other words, his scholarship is considered both orthodox and somewhat unrivaled by evangelical Christian publishers today.)
Hi Phil.
I appreciate your response and as a new listener/viewer of your podcasts, I really enjoy the shows you are doing. May you have continued success.
I completely agree that Exodus 20:11 means whatever Genesis 1 means.
However my point is that:
1. since Exodus 20:11 is commanding the people of Israel to keep a literal 24 hour/7th day Sabbath and
2. as the reason given for this command is because God created the heaven and earth in six days and then rested on the seventh,
3. doesn’t it make sense to interpret both Genesis 1 and Exodus 20:11 as both speaking of literal days?
In other words, since the commandment is to keep a 24 hour day, why wouldn’t the other six days spoken of not rightly be assumed to be 24 hours? By the Israelites then, or us now?
Moreover, every other time the Hebrew word yom is used in the context of a given time ( for example, evening and morning etc.) the word yom always means a literal 24 hour day.
Just food for thought…