Q&A: Animal rights from a biblical perspective — Proverbs and the dominion mandate

Viewer asks whether the Bible supports animal welfare.

Parallelomania: ancient Near Eastern parallels (flood, creation) do not prove the Bible borrowed; similarities are explained by common events or themes

Q from Folky about how to respond to claims that the OT is not true because the Bible copied surrounding cultures (flood, Exodus).

Symmetry of creation and salvation: both occur through the Son

Theological reflection on Hebrews 1:2 and its implications

John 1 — the Logos made all things; parallel to Genesis 1 and Hebrews 1

Cross-reference supporting the creation-through-Son theology

Mike's anti-Calvinist argument: faith is not a work regardless of its source; the Calvinist objection tries to smuggle faith into the "works" category

Mike's response to the Calvinist framing of faith as a "good work" that requires prior regeneration

Bereshit Prophecy in Genesis 1:1 — Mike strongly dismisses as fabricated

Q from Enigma about the "Bereshit prophecy" in Genesis 1:1 regarding end times.

Melchizedek question: Is Melchizedek a theophany/Christophany of Jesus, and how does Hebrews know so much about him?

Question from Christian Liang. Mike provides background on Genesis and Hebrews 7.

Genesis 1-11 allegorical interpretation does not necessarily violate John 5:44-47 or deny salvation

Responding to a question from Cat Chat about whether allegorical reading of Genesis 1-11 equals rejection of Christ per John 5

John Walton's temple language view and William Lane Craig's archetypal history view are named as options within Christian faith

Mike surveys distinct Christian interpretive positions on Genesis 1-11

Can a faithful Christian be an evolutionist? — Yes, but with complications

A viewer (biochem grad student) asks if a faithful Christian can be an evolutionist.

Genesis 1-11 genre: separating science from exegesis; evaluating young earth, Walton, and William Lane Craig's archetypal history view

Question about the creation account in Genesis and young earth creationism vs. modern science.

Hebrews 13:2 - entertaining angels unawares; the word angelos means messenger but probably refers to spiritual beings here, based on OT cross-references (Genesis 18-19).

Question on Hebrews 13:2 - hospitality and angels

Introduction: The command to 'be fruitful and multiply' from Genesis 1 is the first question — should it apply to married couples today, including whether intentionally choosing to have no children is acceptable.

Opening of Friday Q&A, last livestream of 2020. Mike introduces the prepared question about Genesis 1:28.

Genesis 1:28 examined: The command covers having children, filling the earth, subduing it, and having dominion — a multi-part mandate given to Adam and Eve that Mike says applies broadly to all mankind.

Exegesis of Genesis 1:28 at the start of the session.

The command in Genesis 1 is a collective mandate for mankind as a whole, not a personal obligation on every individual — applying it to each person individually leads to absurd conclusions (e.g., condemning infertile people).

Interpretive principle applied to Genesis 1:28.

Genesis 9:1,7 re-issues the fruitful-and-multiply command to Noah and his sons after the flood, emphasizing the command operates in the context of a very low world population.

Canonical survey — the command is repeated in Genesis 9 after the flood.

Mike discusses Old Earth Creationism and whether it is biblical, arguing that the age of the earth is not clearly specified in Scripture and that he holds a flexible position, though he finds an ancient Adam and Eve much harder to reconcile biblically.

Response to viewer question about Old Earth Creationism

Question: How do you interpret Genesis 1-2 given the evidence for evolution?

Viewer Johnny Quick cites the scientific consensus for evolution and asks how Mike interprets Genesis 1-2.

Survey of interpretive views on Genesis 1-2: gap theory, day-age, young earth, progressive creation, Walton, Heiser, William Lane Craig

Mike surveys the major interpretive frameworks for Genesis 1-2 without committing to one.

Interpretation of Genesis must be driven by hermeneutics, not science

Mike's methodological conclusion on the Genesis-evolution question.

Genesis 1-2 and the age of the earth: Winger is no longer confident in young-earth creationism based on exegesis alone; plans a full research project.

Question from Ethan Tucker about whether early Genesis is mythology or history.

Dinosaurs and the age of the earth: three intra-Christian views summarized

Madison Torres asked how dinosaur fossils fit with Adam and Eve and the biblical timeline.

When were angels created? Scripture does not say explicitly, but Job 38:7 implies angels were present and rejoicing during the creation of the earth.

Joanne Garabe asks whether angels were created on Day One, citing Nehemiah 9:6.

Kalam leads to God with biblical attributes via conceptual analysis

Continuation of the Kalam answer, explaining the conceptual analysis step.

Apparent contradiction between Stephen's speech (Acts 7:4) and Genesis chronology of Terah and Abraham.

Question 2 from Rod D about Acts 7:4 vs Genesis 11:26, 32 and Genesis 12:4.

Christians can hold various views on Genesis 1 and the Big Bang; the Big Bang is actually strong evidence for God.

Question 11 from J James about whether the Big Bang is biblical.

The conceptual analysis points toward a spaceless, timeless, non-material, incredibly powerful, exceedingly wise mind — matching what Jews and Christians have always understood from Genesis 1:1.

Conceptual analysis — conclusion

Drew claims God demanded animal sacrifice because he enjoyed it. John corrects: OT sacrifice was for atonement, an act of mercy, not divine enjoyment. Genesis 1:29-30 shows God originally created a vegetarian food chain — the current system results from the Fall. Drew ignores that Christianity's purpose isn't a pain-free temporal life.

Response to Q3 — sacrifice and the Fall

The Hebrew word "erets" (earth) rarely means the whole planet. Genesis 1:10: God called dry land "earth." Genesis 11:1: "the whole earth" means all people. Genesis 13:6: "the land" couldn't support Abraham and Lot — obviously local, not planetary. Most flat earth arguments collapse once you understand this word.

The word "earth" (erets) doesn't mean planet

Should new believers read the whole Bible? Yes, eventually. But start with the Gospel of John (written for the purpose of producing faith), then the rest of the NT. Read Psalms and Proverbs for wisdom/worship. Genesis for foundations. Don't start at Genesis 1 and try to plow through — you'll bog down in Leviticus. A reading plan helps maintain consistency.

Bible reading plan for new believers

Biblical confirmation: Genesis 1:26-27 (made in God's image as immaterial minds), 2 Corinthians 5:8 (we exist apart from body), Galatians 5:13 (called to live in libertarian freedom to choose love over sin).

Scriptural support for the philosophical conclusions

Responding to LDS claims that "in the beginning" (Genesis 1/John 1) only means our world: John 1:3 says "all things were made through him" — a blanket category covering everything in existence, not just Earth.

Q16: How to respond to LDS friends about "in the beginning"?

Why Does Lot Offer His Daughters?: In Genesis 19:6-8, why does Lot offer his own daughters to the wicked people of Sodom?

Q&A question: Why Does Lot Offer His Daughters?

What is the Light in Gen. 1?: What is the light in Genesis 1:3? Some say the light is a spiritual force, Jesus, stars, the Big Bang, etc. I know it’s not Jesus, but I’m getting a lot of feedback in a group without any real solid answers.

Q&A question: What is the Light in Gen. 1?

Was Adam the First Man?: It seems in Genesis 1, that God creates humanity and blesses them, but then later in Genesis 2, God creates Adam as a representative in Eden. Doesn’t Scripture teach Adam was the first man?

Q&A question: Was Adam the First Man?

Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?: In Genesis 12: 10, Abraham goes to Egypt. That decision is considered by many as disobedience to God. If going to Egypt is related to a bad decision, why is it that later, God sent Jacob to Egypt?

Q&A question: Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?

Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?: Is Genesis 1: 29 allowing us to smoke weed and to eat magic mushrooms because they’re found naturally? Hasn’t sin surely had a big impact after the fall, on vegetation?

Q&A question: Are Drugs OK if they’re Grown Naturally?

Gospel Patterns?: Is Genesis 1:1-6 a foreshadowing of the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? John 1:1, Luke 1:1, Mark 1:1, Matthew 4: 17, and 1 John 1:1 all speak of beginning, then water, light, and darkness.

Q&A question: Gospel Patterns?

The Waters “Above the Expanse”: What do you think the waters “above the expanse” are in Genesis 1:6-8?

Q&A question: The Waters “Above the Expanse”

Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation: I've recently seen Inspiring Philosophy's video on Genesis 1. He says that it's most likely mirroring the near East tradition of assigning purpose rather than actual creation. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation

How to Prepare Large Study Projects: How do you go about a project like the Women in Ministry series? I want to do something similar with Genesis 1-2 but I don't even know where to begin or what tools to use (other than Logos, of course).

Q&A question: How to Prepare Large Study Projects

Was Evolution Used by God?: Genesis 1: 24 sounds like God created animals through evolution (at God’s command) – “The Earth brings forth…” V. 11 also uses the same language. Interestingly, it’s not used with water, birds, animals & man. Thoughts on why this may be?

Q&A question: Was Evolution Used by God?

Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?: In Genesis 1: 26 God said, "Let us make man in our image." Who is the “us” He’s talking about?

Q&A question: Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?

Circumcision: How would Paul Respond?: In Galatians 3, Paul says faith, not law, saves us, citing Abraham’s heirs (Galatians 3:7, 28-29). How would he respond to Judaizers citing Genesis 17:9-14 on circumcision as necessary? Why doesn’t this apply now?

Q&A question: Circumcision: How would Paul Respond?

Where Was God Before Genesis?: Where was God before Genesis 1? If space, matter, and time was created, what was before it? Heaven and the angels already existed, so where was the “nothing” where God created everything in Genesis 1?

Q&A question: Where Was God Before Genesis?

Genesis 18 15

If human value depends on whether a parent wants you and loves you, then all people who are unloved or unwanted by their parents become valueless. Genesis 1:27 and 9:6 establish that human value is innate and image-based — grounded in being made in God's image — not dependent on parental affirmation or social circumstance.

Theological argument: image of God as the basis of innate human value vs. conditional value logic