Genesis: Commentaries on the Pentateuch

Commentaries on the Pentateuch #1

by Rousas John Rushdoony

Genesis begins the Bible, and is foundational to it. In recent years, it has become commonplace for both humanists and churchmen to sneer at anyone who takes Genesis 1-11 as historical. Yet to believe in the myth of evolution is to accept trillions of miracles to account for our cosmos. Spontaneous generation, the development of something out of nothing, and the blind belief in the miraculous powers of chance, require tremendous faith. Darwinism is irrationality and insanity compounded. Theology without literal six-day creationism becomes alien to the God of Scripture because it turns from the God Who acts and Whose Word is the creative word and the word of power, to a belief in process as god. The god of the non-creationists is the creation of man and a figment of their imagination. They must play games with the Bible to vindicate their position. Evolution is both naive and irrational. Its adherents violate the scientific canons they profess by their fanatical and intolerant belief. The entire book of Genesis is basic to Biblical theology. The church needs to re-study it to recognize its centrality.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

297 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2012

About the author

Rousas John Rushdoony was a Calvinist philosopher, historian, and theologian and is widely credited as the father of both Christian Reconstructionism and the modern homeschool movement. His prolific writings have exerted considerable influence on the Christian right.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study guide to help in understanding Genesis. Easy to read.

[William Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly good. Has some helpful insights. Not technical, much more pastoral.
His weirdest thing was his defense of Laban’s deception of Jacob. Trying to make Laban a righteous father seeking to protect and care for his daughters. This lines up with Rushdoony’s familiocentrism however.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a weird commentary.  I don’t think I'll reference it much going forward. 

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary (and all five in this series) are very valuable as accompanying commentaries in your studies on the books of the Pentateuch. You won't find thorough exegetical handling of the texts (which is bread and butter for commentaries), but you will find insight and commentary which pushes your thinking outside of the box and allows you to see some things that you wouldn't otherwise see. Thought provoking and useful. You won't agree with everything Rushdoony says, but you'll never get bored with him that's for sure. I always consult Rushdoony when I'm studying or preaching from books in the Pentateuch.