Gleanings in Genesis

by Arthur W. Pink

Genesis, the seed plot of th Bible, gives in germ form all the doctrines of the Bible--the Trinity, man's depravity, salvation by substitution, justification by faith. These are examined along with character studies and biblical types by Arthur Pink.

Genres: Old Testament, Theology, Faith, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Religion

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.

In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.

In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.

After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

While listening to the "Knowing Faith" podcast a while back, Jen Wilkin recommended this book. There was a lot that I liked about it, but there were a few areas of theology in which I would disagree with the author. Primarily, I don't take the Dispensationalism view of eschatology as a given, while the author sees all of Scripture through that lens.

Interestingly, the author also takes a controversial position on Genesis 6:4-8, stating that he believes the Nephilim are fallen angels that impregnated human females, and that their offspring is the primary reason that God sent a flood to destroy the majority of human life on Earth.

Other than some of the critique I gave above, there was a lot of valuable study shared in these pages.

Final rating = 4.5 stars

[Jennifer Squire]

A delightful companion to an inductive study of Genesis. As someone somewhat new to finding Christ in the OT, it was helpful and eye opening. The author does skim by a few difficult topics or chapters in Genesis, but he also spends a great deal of time looking at Joseph as a type of Christ.

[William Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Good. Written as articles, he mostly goes through the book chapter by chapter. Some points are better than others. He saw Jacob as just about impossible to do anything right and Joseph impossible to do wrong. He seemed to view deception as always wrong (based on saying Rahab was wrong to deceive the men of Jericho) which was then odd when Joseph deceives his brothers, but it’s fine. He takes a highly typological view of Joseph, being a type of Christ in nigh everything that happens to him, which gets quite odd at points.

This is well worth the read, it’s just got plenty of oddities.

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.W. Pink's "Gleanings in Genesis" offers an enticing yet formidable exploration for those drawn to the doctrines of Calvinism or seeking a theologically rich commentary on Genesis. While some readers value Pink's careful Biblical analysis and reformed theological perspectives, others may find his writing overly complex and his Calvinistic interpretations too dogmatic. The book is lengthy, and if one takes the time to study the Scripture referenced, it will require a significant investment of time and effort to get through (almost 6 months for me). Ultimately, "Gleanings in Genesis" is regarded as an important, albeit intellectually demanding, commentary for those seeking an in-depth study of Genesis through the lens of reformed theology...5-Stars!

[Eric Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than expected

Really good book actually. Hard to imagine there is a more comprehensive comparison between Joseph and Christ out there. Recommended for that reason alone, but rest is good too.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great companion to my genesis Bible study.

[Linda Santavicca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an informative look at the book of Genesis. I loved every turn of the page.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful articles on Genesis.

[Robert]

A GIFT FROM RON AND LINDA CARPER
FROM THE LIBRARY OF W. H. AGNEW

[lolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Insightful

I feel like I came out of this book with a much deeper appreciation and understanding of genesis. I'd never read this author before. I'll definitely be reading more of his books.

I don't agree with all of his viewpoints, but some of them I didn't even know existed; I appreciate learning of them in any case.

[Kyle Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am working through this slowly, as a “supplemental text”, in sync with a year-and-a-half study I am doing on the book of Genesis. Pink has an uncanny ability to synthesize revelation. This book goes through Genesis chapter by chapter and presents the pertinent points of typology or spiritual experience contained therein. It doesn’t cover everything, but what Pink chooses to focus on usually is incredibly insightful and yet succinctly laid out. Pink himself explains his intention:

"In these articles we are not attempting complete expositions. They are little more than “Notes”–”Gleanings”–and our prime endeavor is to indicate some of the broad outlines of truth in the hope that our readers will be led to fill in the details by their own personal studies."

-p. 172

In my opinion Pink has exceedingly succeeded in this endeavor. This book would be a helpful tool in teaching through Genesis (granted that you agree with him on some basic hermeneutics) due to this succinct yet illuminating methodology. For instance in chapter 13, Pink presents twelve points on the typology of Noah’s Ark in six short pages. In chapter 14, he presents seven points on the covenant God made with Noah- its occasion, source, basis, contents, design, requirements, and token. Even if you disagree with some of the details of his exposition, most people teaching through Genesis or interested in really studying this book, will seriously benefit from Pink’s study, if for nothing more than a foundation to build upon or a field to do their own gleanings from.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of real good stuff in this book. Pay special attention to the last few chapters where Pink draws the similiarities between Joseph and Christ. A lot of preaching material in this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately the person who borrowed this book never returned it.

[Kayla]

Very good!

This is a great book for learning the deeper meanings and significance of the book of Genesis. I highly recommend it!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the insights from Mr. Pink and the way he can help you to see what mysteries of the bible are hidden there in.