Seven Days That Divide the World, 10th Anniversary Edition

The Beginning According to Genesis and Science

By: John C. Lennox

Narrated by: Justin Brierly

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Now revised and updated - John Lennox's acclaimed method of reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture.

What did the writer of Genesis mean by "the first day?" Are the seven days in Genesis 1 a literal week or a series of time periods? If I believe that the earth is 4.5 billion years old as cosmologists believe, am I denying the authority of Scripture?

With examples from history, a brief but thorough exploration of the major interpretations, and a look into the particular significance of the creation of human beings, Lennox suggests that Christians can heed modern scientific knowledge while staying faithful to the biblical narrative. He moves beyond a simple response to the controversy, insisting that Genesis teaches us far more about the God of Jesus Christ and about God's intention for creation than it does about the age of the earth.

With this book, Lennox offers a careful and accessible introduction to a scientifically savvy, theologically astute, and scripturally faithful interpretation of Genesis.

Since its publication in 2011, this book has enabled many listeners to see that the major controversy with which it engages can be resolved without compromising commitment to the authority of Scripture. In this newly revised and expanded edition, John clarifies his arguments and responds to comments and critiques of the past decade since its first publication. In particular, he describes some of the history up to modern times of Jewish scholarly interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as well as spelling out in more detail the breadth of views in the Great Tradition of interpretation due to the early Church Fathers. He shows that, contrary to what many people think, much of the difficulty with understanding the biblical texts does not arise from modern science but from attempting to elucidate the texts in their own right.

©2011, 2021 John C. Lennox (P)2021 Zondervan

A lot of Perspectives

Great introduction to the various perspectives from old earth creationism or theistic evolution. It’s quite often assumed that Young Earth Creationism can be the only possibility exegetically and historical interpretation of the text but Lennox goes to show that’s not the case.

Lennox brings some interesting exegetical, as well as historical cases in how to interpret the Genesis account of creation that leaves open the idea of the possibility of theistic evolution or old earth. I found his section on what ancient Jewish and Christian beliefs on this topic quite useful and enlightening that I did not know from before.

Not a super long book or all that groundbreaking but definitely worth a read, especially from an introductory perspective.

Excellent

An excellent book for people who want an overview of the different views on Genesis, as well as an open minded look at the theory of evolution.

Variety and singularity in one

Excellent breakdown of the various views and defense of his own view. Very solid information and makes me want to dive deeper!!

Another Fascinating Book by John Lennox

The emeritus Oxford Professor and mathematician brilliantly untangles the confusion and misunderstandings of modern science and the book of Genesis. The book is an all-around amazing book, from its physical edition, and the narrated version(with Justin Brierley). John Lennox makes things, concise, clear, and simple, so all can read and understand it. I would recommend the audiobook as well as the physical book for ages 13+, and I think that anyone, no matter their beliefs will be able to understand it and enjoy its presented challenges to the Atheistic worldview.

great book!

focuses on explanations surrounding the length of days. I wish it focuses more about the issue of how death entered our world.

Great, I think, but first

I just started this book but it seems great so far and I love everything else I have heard from John Lennox. But this book is kind of famous so now I am kind of famous because I am the first one reviewing this. Yay. Thank you John Lennox!

Incredibly eye opening

I grew up my whole life with a staunch Christian upbringing where you would not entertain the idea of anything other than a literal translation of Genesis. This book does a great Job at walking you through some of the major plausible possibilities of how Genesis could or can be read and interpreted. I Loved this book!

my review

The book was decent, but I.much prefer listening to Lennox debates and Q&A on youtube and such, I find those much more informative.

Great book!

Enjoyed this so much! Dr Lennox's books are always so thought-provoking and so well-written, a m d this is mo exception! Great narration!

Informative and impactful

Love John Lennox’s ability to shed light on this subject and the different lens with which we can read the Bible.