Genesis Unbound: A Provocative New Look at the Creation Account
Written by
John Sailhamer
John Sailhamer is a well-respected Pentateuch theologian, and in this book, he focuses on the creation account in the first two chapters of Genesis. He tries to take a textual and biblical approach rather than a scientific and historical one. He also considers what commentators said before the advent of scientific influences. The main premise of his argument is that the 6 days of creation needs to be understood in the context of the whole Pentateuch and specifically the Promised Land. In fact, he motivates that the creation account is the preparation of the Promiser Land. Even though Sailhamer believes in 6 literal days of creation, he also believes in an old earth. His view isn’t quite the same as the gap theory but there is decent overlap.
I often read the creation account as a stand-alone or at best as part of the first couple of chapters of Genesis. Reading it in the context of the whole of Genesis and the whole of the first five books of the Bible has enhanced my appreciation and understanding of the creation account.
I didn’t always find it very easy to follow the argument of the book. At the end I felt like I needed to read it again just to see if I can understand it better. There are a couple of key words and phrases that he spends time redefining (and explaining why). He’s a Hebrew scholar, so he can probably do that. But I always feel uncomfortable when commentators suggest substantial changes to words/phrases that have been long accepted.
People who are interested in understanding different perspectives on the creation account, but whose own views won’t wobble because of it. It’s quite a technical book, so having some knowledge of the existing approaches to understanding the creation account would be very helpful.
Yes, but there are some things you should know...
Sailhamer presents an old earth view. He believes in 6 literal days of creation. He doesn’t believe that humans were the result of evolution. He tries not to write in response to modern science that proposes an old earth but it still comes through.
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