I’m reviewing this material not from the Defenders 3 series, but from Defenders 4 (Defenders Live!) which is currently going.
01 Hermeneutical Principles and Concordism This lecture introduces an excursus on interpreting Genesis 1 regarding the origin of life and biodiversity. It emphasizes the importance of hermeneutical principles, particularly considering literary genre and original audience understanding, while warning against “concordism” or reading modern science into the text.
02 The Literal Interpretation This lecture examines the literal interpretation of Genesis 1, which sees it as a historical and scientifically accurate account of creation in six 24-hour days. It critiques this view based on genre analysis, arguing Genesis 1-11 is likely historical but uses figurative language, and introduces alternative interpretations that will be explored later.
03 A Critique of the Literal Interpretation This lecture critiques the literal interpretation of Genesis 1, arguing that while tenable, it is not obligatory. Textual evidence such as the metaphorical use of “day” elsewhere in Genesis, the nature of the seventh day of rest, the creation of light before the sun, and the descriptions of vegetation growth and Adam naming animals suggest the narrative may use figurative language and isn’t necessarily confined to six consecutive 24-hour days. Historical evidence also shows a range of interpretations has existed within Christianity and Judaism.
04 The Gap and Day-Gap Interpretations This lecture examined the Gap Interpretation and the Day-Gap Interpretation of Genesis 1. Both views are critiqued as lacking textual support and being driven by concordism, attempting to read modern scientific timescales into the ancient text rather than interpreting the text on its own terms.
05 The Day-Age Interpretation 🚧 The Day-Age interpretation sees the Genesis 1 “days” as long periods of time or ages. While historical and supported by textual indications against strict 24-hour days, it is criticized for reading the concept of consecutive “ages” into the text without strong textual mandate and for its difficulties in aligning with the scientific order of events if taken literally as chronological ages.
06 Interpretations - Days of Divine Proclamation 🚧 This lecture examines the Divine Fiat and Days of Divine Revelation interpretations of Genesis 1, both viewing the days as periods of proclamation. The Divine Fiat view sees fiats given on 24-hour days with fulfillment later; it’s criticized for divorcing fiat from fulfillment and lack of textual support. The Divine Revelation view sees the days as Moses receiving revelation about past creation; it’s criticized for no textual evidence of being revelatory days. Both are considered less plausible than other interpretations.