Some see divine revelation, others see history, symbolism, philosophy, or even fiction. Yet few study Genesis seriously without recognizing its, I would say, extraordinary influence.

And while debates about authorship, timeline, symbolism, science, and interpretation will continue long after I return to dust, the Bible remains. It will continue to be read, continue to be studied, continue to be debated, and continue to be cherished throughout the world.

For me personally, that matters. When I look at the Bible, I do not merely see an ancient religious document. I see generations preserving these writings through war, exile, persecution, and political unrest because they believed these words carry something sacred and transformative. I see translators risking, risking their lives so ordinary people like you and me could read scripture. I see millions turning to these pages during moments of fear, grief, suffering, repentance, and hope.

As we enter chapter seven, my hope is not simply that we memorize facts or debate theories that kick off ministry. My hope is that we approach Genesis with open minds, genuine curiosity, deep respect, and most importantly, wisdom. So that we can appreciate both its historical significance and its spiritual depth.

In chapter seven, we arrive at the beginning, the beginning of creation, the beginning of humanity, the beginning of temptation, the beginning of sin, the beginning of judgment, the beginning of covenant, the beginning of redemption, the story that shapes everything that follows, and the beginning of one of the most influential, studied, debated, and enduring books in human history, Genesis.