In the writing of The Ninth Generation, while taking the reader on a mysterious and unique adventure, one of my purposes was to explore an area of the Bible, the understanding of which has become clouded by unprovable scientific assumptions - the beginnings (Genesis). The pre-flood earth has also held a strong fascination to me personally as to its appearance and inhabitants.
Research was difficult, especially for the time period before the great flood. While I recognized the need to call it fiction up-front, I still aspired that everything be anchored in truth and within the realm of possibility. Henry Morris’s The Genesis Record was invaluable, both thorough and well-documented. The Book of Enoch, though outside the canon of Scripture, was of some help and had been quoted in part within the Bible (Jude). And in Mayer’s, The First Fossil Hunters, some of the strange creatures, thought as mythological, were at least allowed the possibility of reality. Other resources were used, many from the internet.
Perhaps the area of greatest controversy was that of the sons of God in Genesis 6, the ones that took wives from the daughters of men. There were several interpretations that required exploring and on which much has been written. Conservative commentaries and resources were consulted in an attempt to avoid doctrinal error. Though some will disagree, my conclusion is that the Hebrew language, “bene elohim”, translated “sons of God”, strongly supports the angelic view. Most objections seem to center on the comment by Jesus that angels in heaven do not marry and are spirit beings, thus could not physically reproduce with human women. However, in context, Jesus was referring to heaven, not earth; and the angels mentioned in Jude had left their proper abode, their transgression compared to the Sodomites that went after “strange flesh”, for which they were bound in chains. Furthermore, wherever angels are mentioned in the Bible, they always seem to be males, with powers to take on human characteristics. Writings of the early fathers support this view. Lengthier study may be pursued by those interested.
Some readers may take objection that early man does not seem primitive enough, in keeping with evolutionary theories. If I had found evidence of such a state, then perhaps my characters would have sounded and appeared differently; however, the best historical record of ancient life, the Bible, portrays man as a separate and complete creation from the animals, in the likeness of God, and able to operate at full God-given potential. Every attempt by evolutionists to show that man descended from ape-like beings has, in time, resulted in a scientific embarrassment, and often found to be an outright fraud. Rather than advancing, it seems that man is in a state of decline, mentally and morally.
Another questionable area may be the coexistence of man with dinosaurs. Rather than getting into the discoveries that show archeological links of both within the same strata, I prefer to point to Scripture, especially the Book of Job, chapters 40 and 41, animals referred to as Behemoth and Leviathan. The descriptions reveal gigantic creatures that no longer exist, apparently placed on the earth as a sign of the Creator’s power. The ability to breath fire finds scant evidence today except within the insect world, where the bombardier beetle displays the unique feature of a chemically-explosive, defensive discharge.
Curiosity being part of our nature, I would expect that some readers will want to explore creation science, and the Biblical record for themselves, to see if these things are so. A topical Bible dictionary, or concordance may help. Others - small groups - may want to use the chapters of The Ninth Generation as launching points for discussion. But the most important issue for today is our spiritual readiness for the return of Y’Shua (Jesus). For there is no fiction in the fact that the Son of God came to earth to save man. Truly, “there is no other name under heaven (than Jesus), given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) He alone is our ark of refuge and has promised to carry the believer safely through, having borne the waves of judgment.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Is Leviathan merely a metaphor?
The name, Leviathan, can be used to describe a huge oceangoing ship, or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy… such usages have become common-place to illustrate anything large and formidable. But how did the word originate and is it merely a metaphor?
Webster defines it as, “…a sea monster represented as an adversary defeated by Yahweh in various Scriptural accounts.” The earliest historical writing that describes Leviathan in detail is found in the Biblical book of Job, chapter 41-
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook?...Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more…Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible…Out of his nostrils goeth smoke…His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth…When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid…He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood…Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear…He maketh the deep to boil like a pot…a path to shine after him…Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.”
In the Revised Version of the Bible, and also in The Torah, the creation account in Genesis, chapter one, verse 21, reads: “…God created the great sea monsters…” Was this meant to be taken figuratively? This question is asked with respect toward the inspired Word of God, those Holy Scriptures that accurately foretell the future from the past. Unless one is prepared to place himself as judge over the Bible, there is no justification in dismissing this account, or twisting its meaning as some have done with the Behemoth in Job, Chapter 40, supposing that an elephant could have a tail like a cedar tree.
The reality of Leviathan becomes clear when the writings of Job are better understood. Up until the final chapters, God had been allowing the testing of Job’s faith and was bringing him out of a condition of pride – that which Leviathan illustrated. Toward the end of the book, God was examining Job, comparing Himself with the things that He created, Leviathan being the last and most awe-inspiring of His earthly feats.
To say, then, that God was comparing His greatness with a metaphor does not consider the context in its rightful way. The great sea creature, Leviathan, had to exist in order for Job to finally admit, in chapter 42, “…I know that thou canst do everything…I have heard of thee…but now mine eye seeth thee…I repent…” The reasoning being that if the creation is awe-inspiring then how much greater must be the One who made it. If men knew it was crazy to stir up Leviathan, “…who then is able to stand before Me?” (41:10)
In the novel, The Ninth Generation, Leviathan is part of the ancient adventure. For those wondering what it might have been like to have lived in such a time of history, step back into Genesis and see. A description of the dreadful creature is found about halfway through the book as the heathen priests await its approach to their river sacrifice platform:
“The rolling movement on the surface of the Pison could be seen in the distance. A serpentine path was being traced from the inlet by the turbulent force beneath, sending swells splashing against the bank…As it neared, the long twisting shadow parted the water with a snort of smoke…a chilling roar erupted from below. The platform shook…a scream and collective gasp broke the silence…Leviathan’s head and long neck had risen to the height of the platform. Eyes like the morning sun were fixed on the basket, still swinging, and upon the apprentice, whose hand had dropped from the wooden cross member…huddled on his knees. The jaws had been shut, but suddenly they opened like iron gates. Rows of swords sent shivers through the high priest’s body. Then sparks of light within ignited a burst of flame. Jathron turned, clutching the rail with both arms. The blast of heat could be felt against his back and legs. Behind him there was a shriek, then a splintering jolt… followed by the crashing rush of water from below. Jathron slowly turned his head and looked. A jagged blackened edge was all that remained of the river side of the platform. Trembling, he returned to the temple.”
Merely a metaphor, or figure of speech? This author is one who is comforted to read in Psalm 74:13-14, speaking of God, “…thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” Apparently, it took the power of God to deal with such a creature in the past and it seems to have been a real historical event which resulted in the distribution of leviathan burgers. The prophet Isaiah (27:1) also states, “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” Has “that day” happened? Hopefully…but we would be wise to consider that spiritual counterpart – Satan, man’s adversary. From him, we all need the protection of the LORD Jesus, man’s sacrificial substitute and advocate.
Visit the Novel Discovery Site for The Ninth Generation: Surviving the Giants of the pre-flood Earth, at www.TheNinthGeneration.com.
Webster defines it as, “…a sea monster represented as an adversary defeated by Yahweh in various Scriptural accounts.” The earliest historical writing that describes Leviathan in detail is found in the Biblical book of Job, chapter 41-
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook?...Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more…Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible…Out of his nostrils goeth smoke…His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth…When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid…He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood…Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear…He maketh the deep to boil like a pot…a path to shine after him…Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.”
In the Revised Version of the Bible, and also in The Torah, the creation account in Genesis, chapter one, verse 21, reads: “…God created the great sea monsters…” Was this meant to be taken figuratively? This question is asked with respect toward the inspired Word of God, those Holy Scriptures that accurately foretell the future from the past. Unless one is prepared to place himself as judge over the Bible, there is no justification in dismissing this account, or twisting its meaning as some have done with the Behemoth in Job, Chapter 40, supposing that an elephant could have a tail like a cedar tree.
The reality of Leviathan becomes clear when the writings of Job are better understood. Up until the final chapters, God had been allowing the testing of Job’s faith and was bringing him out of a condition of pride – that which Leviathan illustrated. Toward the end of the book, God was examining Job, comparing Himself with the things that He created, Leviathan being the last and most awe-inspiring of His earthly feats.
To say, then, that God was comparing His greatness with a metaphor does not consider the context in its rightful way. The great sea creature, Leviathan, had to exist in order for Job to finally admit, in chapter 42, “…I know that thou canst do everything…I have heard of thee…but now mine eye seeth thee…I repent…” The reasoning being that if the creation is awe-inspiring then how much greater must be the One who made it. If men knew it was crazy to stir up Leviathan, “…who then is able to stand before Me?” (41:10)
In the novel, The Ninth Generation, Leviathan is part of the ancient adventure. For those wondering what it might have been like to have lived in such a time of history, step back into Genesis and see. A description of the dreadful creature is found about halfway through the book as the heathen priests await its approach to their river sacrifice platform:
“The rolling movement on the surface of the Pison could be seen in the distance. A serpentine path was being traced from the inlet by the turbulent force beneath, sending swells splashing against the bank…As it neared, the long twisting shadow parted the water with a snort of smoke…a chilling roar erupted from below. The platform shook…a scream and collective gasp broke the silence…Leviathan’s head and long neck had risen to the height of the platform. Eyes like the morning sun were fixed on the basket, still swinging, and upon the apprentice, whose hand had dropped from the wooden cross member…huddled on his knees. The jaws had been shut, but suddenly they opened like iron gates. Rows of swords sent shivers through the high priest’s body. Then sparks of light within ignited a burst of flame. Jathron turned, clutching the rail with both arms. The blast of heat could be felt against his back and legs. Behind him there was a shriek, then a splintering jolt… followed by the crashing rush of water from below. Jathron slowly turned his head and looked. A jagged blackened edge was all that remained of the river side of the platform. Trembling, he returned to the temple.”
Merely a metaphor, or figure of speech? This author is one who is comforted to read in Psalm 74:13-14, speaking of God, “…thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” Apparently, it took the power of God to deal with such a creature in the past and it seems to have been a real historical event which resulted in the distribution of leviathan burgers. The prophet Isaiah (27:1) also states, “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” Has “that day” happened? Hopefully…but we would be wise to consider that spiritual counterpart – Satan, man’s adversary. From him, we all need the protection of the LORD Jesus, man’s sacrificial substitute and advocate.
Visit the Novel Discovery Site for The Ninth Generation: Surviving the Giants of the pre-flood Earth, at www.TheNinthGeneration.com.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Curiosity can be a blast
I’ll never forget the experience – it had to be the dumbest thing I ever did while growing up. As a teenager I enjoyed taking things apart – mostly electronics – exploring the tubes, capacitors and resisters, then soldering any loose connections. A chemistry kit also was fun, creating a lot of smoke and once firing a homemade rocket a few feet off the ground. A long extension cord was used for ignition with a small strand of copper wire across the ends, which glowed red hot and once blew a fuse in our home. I also enjoyed shooting with either a bow and arrow or a 22. The nearby woods offered plenty of targets.
I never owned a shotgun. The shells were out of my budget and it was not the kind of gun that a kid would normally have, at least in our area. But one day, at the shooting range, I found a red 12-gauge shotgun shell lying in the dirt – it had not yet been fired. I remember rolling it in my hand with fascination, considering the power and danger that was contained within the shiny wrapper. The more I studied it, the more I wondered what it looked like inside…
Soon I was standing at dad’s workbench, slowly tightening the small vice around the red cylinder. Very carefully, with a knife, I pried open the crimped end and removed a piece of padding. I tapped the shell lightly and watched the tiny beads of shot roll out. Peering inside I could see nothing. It appeared empty. I knew there was powder, so I prodded at the inside eventually loosening a second pad. Again I tapped the side and out came a small pile of powder. Now it was empty for sure.
I stared at the metal cap on the end of the shell – the part that the firing pin would contact to make the explosion – which was undented. I looked at the shot and the powder which had been emptied out on the bench and figured that I had done a thorough job. There was nothing left to explode…just one small cap.
Alongside my dad’s screwdrivers was an ice-pick. Still focusing on the shiny round cap, I lifted the pick and positioned the point like a firing pin against it. With my right hand I held the hammer. It was a small work room with one window and I had closed the door to keep the experiment private. So far, everything had gone well, and I had no reason to suspect any problem with disarming the little cap. I had played with paper caps, striking them with the same hammer on the cement floor. No big deal.
Very lightly at first, I tapped the pick handle…nothing… perhaps it had gotten wet, I thought, or would not work without the powder.” …but before giving up, I lined up the point again – right on the center – and, with the hammer, gave it a good whack!
I had never thought about the benefit of normal hearing until that moment, when suddenly such a loud blast came that everything else was utterly blocked out. My ears not only rang but experienced deep penetrating pain. The only comparison I could make was a cherry bomb – one of the most powerful firecrackers we could buy – exploding two feet away, something that had never before happened. This had to be worse. It was much later in the day before my hearing returned, and I began to meditate upon my stupidity.
Now that I’m a little older, I’ve learned how to avoid some of the dangers that I used to flirt with, but I still retain my curiosity about how things work. That can be a good thing as long as we’re careful – and get some good advice before looking into anything new. Every now and then my ears still ring, which I guess is a reminder.
Enjoy wisdom, and if you like a good adventure, check out my recently published novel, The Ninth Generation. It just may satisfy your deepest curiosity.
I never owned a shotgun. The shells were out of my budget and it was not the kind of gun that a kid would normally have, at least in our area. But one day, at the shooting range, I found a red 12-gauge shotgun shell lying in the dirt – it had not yet been fired. I remember rolling it in my hand with fascination, considering the power and danger that was contained within the shiny wrapper. The more I studied it, the more I wondered what it looked like inside…
Soon I was standing at dad’s workbench, slowly tightening the small vice around the red cylinder. Very carefully, with a knife, I pried open the crimped end and removed a piece of padding. I tapped the shell lightly and watched the tiny beads of shot roll out. Peering inside I could see nothing. It appeared empty. I knew there was powder, so I prodded at the inside eventually loosening a second pad. Again I tapped the side and out came a small pile of powder. Now it was empty for sure.
I stared at the metal cap on the end of the shell – the part that the firing pin would contact to make the explosion – which was undented. I looked at the shot and the powder which had been emptied out on the bench and figured that I had done a thorough job. There was nothing left to explode…just one small cap.
Alongside my dad’s screwdrivers was an ice-pick. Still focusing on the shiny round cap, I lifted the pick and positioned the point like a firing pin against it. With my right hand I held the hammer. It was a small work room with one window and I had closed the door to keep the experiment private. So far, everything had gone well, and I had no reason to suspect any problem with disarming the little cap. I had played with paper caps, striking them with the same hammer on the cement floor. No big deal.
Very lightly at first, I tapped the pick handle…nothing… perhaps it had gotten wet, I thought, or would not work without the powder.” …but before giving up, I lined up the point again – right on the center – and, with the hammer, gave it a good whack!
I had never thought about the benefit of normal hearing until that moment, when suddenly such a loud blast came that everything else was utterly blocked out. My ears not only rang but experienced deep penetrating pain. The only comparison I could make was a cherry bomb – one of the most powerful firecrackers we could buy – exploding two feet away, something that had never before happened. This had to be worse. It was much later in the day before my hearing returned, and I began to meditate upon my stupidity.
Now that I’m a little older, I’ve learned how to avoid some of the dangers that I used to flirt with, but I still retain my curiosity about how things work. That can be a good thing as long as we’re careful – and get some good advice before looking into anything new. Every now and then my ears still ring, which I guess is a reminder.
Enjoy wisdom, and if you like a good adventure, check out my recently published novel, The Ninth Generation. It just may satisfy your deepest curiosity.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Researching a preflood novel
Research for The Ninth Generation was a challenging task which proved interesting.
In addition to the Biblical record – without getting into occult literature – there are writings purportedly by Enoch and early Jewish historians. There are also some fascinating documents of ancient Greek investigators which seem to carry some reliability.
Two early sources indicate that Adam had 33 sons and either 23 or 33 daughters. I’ll go with 33 / 23 (Jewish tradition). There’s also good evidence to indicate that Seth may have been the first astronomer and that God had intended for man to receive revelation of truth through signs in the starry heavens. This may well have been later distorted through astrological misuse.
The events of creation and the fall were very likely recorded by Adam and passed along (or transcriptions made) to Seth’s lineage. Some think it was only verbal, but there is no compelling evidence that Adam was unable or disinclined to write. Other revelation, such as what the signs in the stars really mean, the meaning of sacrifice, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and other prophetic writings such as quoted from Enoch (in Jude), may have all played a part in maintaining the faith of a few.
If conservative population statistics can be relied upon, there were at least a billion people on earth in the days of Noah, and if the majority lived in and around cities, figuring ten million per city would be about a hundred. One source said there were 99 cities. It seems likely that the godly lineage would live apart from the city, which would also help with better upbringing than might be possible in the midst of corrupt influence of city life. Would Seth’s line need some physical defense and protection against attacks from the ungodly as conditions worsened? Might they have joined forces and volunteered some of their sons as defenders? Would they have their own walled city(ies), or some other form of separation? Distance helps reduce the need for defense. It seems that the godly would have tried to avoid the use of weapons against those they knew were the offspring of their own living first father. But, if there were other kinds of beings…products of angelic and human (maybe even animal) genetic mixing, God might have revealed to the godly, as He did later to Israel, that this kind should be killed…There was no salvation intended for these. So, weaponry may have been so justified.
Writing down such mental ramblings actually helps to prevent including things in the novel that might be strangely outside of any real historical reference. Before writing, I like to ponder the possible. Just because it is called “historical fiction” doesn’t mean that it has to be the product of only a giant imagination – something I have been reported as having. There is plenty of room for that within the researched framework.
The saying that truth is stranger than fiction may well apply to the preflood years, especially when the ancient legends of Greece and Rome are considered – more to say on that later.
In addition to the Biblical record – without getting into occult literature – there are writings purportedly by Enoch and early Jewish historians. There are also some fascinating documents of ancient Greek investigators which seem to carry some reliability.
Two early sources indicate that Adam had 33 sons and either 23 or 33 daughters. I’ll go with 33 / 23 (Jewish tradition). There’s also good evidence to indicate that Seth may have been the first astronomer and that God had intended for man to receive revelation of truth through signs in the starry heavens. This may well have been later distorted through astrological misuse.
The events of creation and the fall were very likely recorded by Adam and passed along (or transcriptions made) to Seth’s lineage. Some think it was only verbal, but there is no compelling evidence that Adam was unable or disinclined to write. Other revelation, such as what the signs in the stars really mean, the meaning of sacrifice, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and other prophetic writings such as quoted from Enoch (in Jude), may have all played a part in maintaining the faith of a few.
If conservative population statistics can be relied upon, there were at least a billion people on earth in the days of Noah, and if the majority lived in and around cities, figuring ten million per city would be about a hundred. One source said there were 99 cities. It seems likely that the godly lineage would live apart from the city, which would also help with better upbringing than might be possible in the midst of corrupt influence of city life. Would Seth’s line need some physical defense and protection against attacks from the ungodly as conditions worsened? Might they have joined forces and volunteered some of their sons as defenders? Would they have their own walled city(ies), or some other form of separation? Distance helps reduce the need for defense. It seems that the godly would have tried to avoid the use of weapons against those they knew were the offspring of their own living first father. But, if there were other kinds of beings…products of angelic and human (maybe even animal) genetic mixing, God might have revealed to the godly, as He did later to Israel, that this kind should be killed…There was no salvation intended for these. So, weaponry may have been so justified.
Writing down such mental ramblings actually helps to prevent including things in the novel that might be strangely outside of any real historical reference. Before writing, I like to ponder the possible. Just because it is called “historical fiction” doesn’t mean that it has to be the product of only a giant imagination – something I have been reported as having. There is plenty of room for that within the researched framework.
The saying that truth is stranger than fiction may well apply to the preflood years, especially when the ancient legends of Greece and Rome are considered – more to say on that later.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Thoughts on the ancient patriarchs
Why is it necessary in the novel to bring in the nearly thousand-year age spans - a controversial and possible stumbling point for some readers? Or to mention that Adam was alive at the same time as Noah’s father, Lameck? It is a challenge to my natural way of thinking to even write about their ages, yet I must be honest in holding to the Biblical record. I simply cannot alter the truth of God’s Word to fit our times. Compromise is deadly poison to anyone seeking to walk with God, then or now. The strange fact is that Adam was alive along with nine later generations – What a family reunion they must have had.
How does this help with my goals in writing? For the drama, the presence and wisdom of his first father must have given Lameck a handle on truth like few others would be able to claim. We all know how much power a father can have in shaping our lives. How significant is it when we receive the attention of our grandfather? What about a great-grandfather? Is the significance intensifying or lessening? I think the further back we may connect, the more treasured the moment, realizing that any day it may be lost to our experience. What if we could meet Adam and speak with him tomorrow…Of course, he has multitudes of family - more than just us to consider - and a finite mind…but, wow…just think, here is the first ever man, out of whose loins I came. What was it like in the garden …walking and conversing with God, the Creator and Supreme Lover of his soul…or waking up to Eve, his created helpmeet and mother of the human race? Was God number one in his life or did Adam allow his own spiritual life to decline? What a testimony Adam would speak to later generations.
Longer life-spans were certainly no guarantee of godliness. It probably even contributed to the evil influence of the antediluvians. As years pass, there is a human tendency to think in a uniformitarian mindset, that things have always been the same and will probably stay the same. If God doesn’t intervene during our lifetimes, we have trouble believing that He ever will…and so with past civilizations.
But without faith it is impossible to please God. Abraham had faith and lived before Christ. Why is an abstract thing like faith important in the story? Because it’s important to life and has always been an essential ingredient for the one who walks with God. Did Adam have faith or ever need it? He was able to see God, in a way unlike everyone after him. But after the fall, Adam had to have faith in the faithfulness of God to be both just and merciful to his family…and to fulfill the promise God had made in the garden regarding the “seed” of the woman and the “serpent”.
Sacrifices were also offered to God in those days and people were able to call upon the Lord. Why would sacrifices have been necessary? The ageless law was decreed by the Creator – “Without the shedding of blood (innocent), there is no remission of sins”. The sacrifices helped to maintain that faith connection and also pre-figure Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God” and coming “Seed”.
How does this help with my goals in writing? For the drama, the presence and wisdom of his first father must have given Lameck a handle on truth like few others would be able to claim. We all know how much power a father can have in shaping our lives. How significant is it when we receive the attention of our grandfather? What about a great-grandfather? Is the significance intensifying or lessening? I think the further back we may connect, the more treasured the moment, realizing that any day it may be lost to our experience. What if we could meet Adam and speak with him tomorrow…Of course, he has multitudes of family - more than just us to consider - and a finite mind…but, wow…just think, here is the first ever man, out of whose loins I came. What was it like in the garden …walking and conversing with God, the Creator and Supreme Lover of his soul…or waking up to Eve, his created helpmeet and mother of the human race? Was God number one in his life or did Adam allow his own spiritual life to decline? What a testimony Adam would speak to later generations.
Longer life-spans were certainly no guarantee of godliness. It probably even contributed to the evil influence of the antediluvians. As years pass, there is a human tendency to think in a uniformitarian mindset, that things have always been the same and will probably stay the same. If God doesn’t intervene during our lifetimes, we have trouble believing that He ever will…and so with past civilizations.
But without faith it is impossible to please God. Abraham had faith and lived before Christ. Why is an abstract thing like faith important in the story? Because it’s important to life and has always been an essential ingredient for the one who walks with God. Did Adam have faith or ever need it? He was able to see God, in a way unlike everyone after him. But after the fall, Adam had to have faith in the faithfulness of God to be both just and merciful to his family…and to fulfill the promise God had made in the garden regarding the “seed” of the woman and the “serpent”.
Sacrifices were also offered to God in those days and people were able to call upon the Lord. Why would sacrifices have been necessary? The ageless law was decreed by the Creator – “Without the shedding of blood (innocent), there is no remission of sins”. The sacrifices helped to maintain that faith connection and also pre-figure Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God” and coming “Seed”.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Imagining the novel3
Just as in real life, the flow of events within the novel – to be interesting – must contain at least three major surprises and setbacks to seriously threaten the realization and goal of the protagonist (Lameck).The first - the mysterious murder of his betrothed. The second - the spiritual possession of Lameck by one of the Nephilim that threatens to destroy his family. Only through the intervention of Enoch and the small voice of faith can he be set free. He then must journey into the heart of evil, through places of great danger – a sacrificial temple, a mysterious island on which the giants are born, and a river inhabited by that great water serpent, Leviathan - in order to rescue his loved ones, and to save the human race from genetic destruction. Enoch vanishes in the process. The story ends with the restoration of a godly wife for Lameck, one he meets during his adventure, who proves her worth as a covenant companion to a conqueror. Their future son, Noah, is named.
What am I hoping to accomplish? Here was a time of intense corruption and evil, when men’s thoughts were on evil continually. Yet, a godly remnant somehow managed to maintain their walk with God and give birth to the only righteous family on the face of the earth. How did they do it in the midst of such worldwide corruption and ungodly pressure? There is a secret, yet not really a secret, for us today who would be overcomers. There is also encouragement to those who would walk with God to hang in there despite what is seen around us. Of course I prayerfully hope to produce a read that will be intriguing and well done. But, I sense that a higher goal than entertainment is God’s calling on my time and all that I do. This is to His glory and I anticipate that He will use it to bring a warning to those outside of His ark - an urging to enter - and encouragement for the believer to reach out to others and be strong in the faith. So, in a way, it’s a vicarious adventure but, of eternal importance, it’s a faith-builder. Maybe it will cause some to pick up the Bible and see for themselves what’s in it.
What am I hoping to accomplish? Here was a time of intense corruption and evil, when men’s thoughts were on evil continually. Yet, a godly remnant somehow managed to maintain their walk with God and give birth to the only righteous family on the face of the earth. How did they do it in the midst of such worldwide corruption and ungodly pressure? There is a secret, yet not really a secret, for us today who would be overcomers. There is also encouragement to those who would walk with God to hang in there despite what is seen around us. Of course I prayerfully hope to produce a read that will be intriguing and well done. But, I sense that a higher goal than entertainment is God’s calling on my time and all that I do. This is to His glory and I anticipate that He will use it to bring a warning to those outside of His ark - an urging to enter - and encouragement for the believer to reach out to others and be strong in the faith. So, in a way, it’s a vicarious adventure but, of eternal importance, it’s a faith-builder. Maybe it will cause some to pick up the Bible and see for themselves what’s in it.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Imagining the novel2
The main character / protagonist is Lamech, Noah’s father. Noah would be too late. My interest is in exploring the time period before the flood, before man’s longevity began to decline, and when all the evil was so escalated that God saw no other way than to wipe it all out. To maintain historical (biblical) accuracy, Lamech is the last of the “good guys” (Seth’s lineage) and able to actually meet and talk with Adam, while he was still alive. Nine generations, Adam through Lamech, all still alive and able to compare notes and pass down wisdom and knowledge. The thought of such a gathering / family reunion is intriguing. Their life-spans were phenomenal, close to a thousand years. Lamech’s name means “conqueror”. He is not yet married even though 112 years-of-age.
There are giants also living on the earth at this time, products of strange unions of fallen angels and the daughters of man. That interpretation of Genesis 6:4 is supported by many conservative Biblical scholars, as well as in The Torah – where the “sons of God” are referred to as “Divine beings”. The fallen angels somehow selected and took those they wanted. Maybe they looked through the eyes of pterodactyls or other creatures to spot them – as Lucifer was able to enter the serpent - or simply noticed the daughters of men themselves. Angels are usually invisible to humans, so they could have done their own search and procurement, unless protective “good” angels stood in their way. However it happened, they marked certain particularly attractive women. Did they send a hunting party to surprise and seize them, or ploy them personally through their supernatural charms? Perhaps the descendants of Cain were more willing to cooperate than the daughters of Seth / the godly line. But would that not make the forbidden fruit / less available ladies seem sweeter to the “gods”?
How many seizures will it take before Lamech is righteously moved to go after them? Enoch – the one who walked with God – would certainly align his abilities and intercessions to help his grandson. Their warfare has to be different than employed by the Nephilim / giant angelic-human offspring, to come against spiritual forces. They have the guidance of Enoch’s prophetic voice and the power of the blood / prefigured through the animals, which strikes paralyzing fear into the demonic fallen spiritual beings.
Like a puzzle, bit by bit the pieces start to fit together; but a year of research and plotting would take place before story writing began.
There are giants also living on the earth at this time, products of strange unions of fallen angels and the daughters of man. That interpretation of Genesis 6:4 is supported by many conservative Biblical scholars, as well as in The Torah – where the “sons of God” are referred to as “Divine beings”. The fallen angels somehow selected and took those they wanted. Maybe they looked through the eyes of pterodactyls or other creatures to spot them – as Lucifer was able to enter the serpent - or simply noticed the daughters of men themselves. Angels are usually invisible to humans, so they could have done their own search and procurement, unless protective “good” angels stood in their way. However it happened, they marked certain particularly attractive women. Did they send a hunting party to surprise and seize them, or ploy them personally through their supernatural charms? Perhaps the descendants of Cain were more willing to cooperate than the daughters of Seth / the godly line. But would that not make the forbidden fruit / less available ladies seem sweeter to the “gods”?
How many seizures will it take before Lamech is righteously moved to go after them? Enoch – the one who walked with God – would certainly align his abilities and intercessions to help his grandson. Their warfare has to be different than employed by the Nephilim / giant angelic-human offspring, to come against spiritual forces. They have the guidance of Enoch’s prophetic voice and the power of the blood / prefigured through the animals, which strikes paralyzing fear into the demonic fallen spiritual beings.
Like a puzzle, bit by bit the pieces start to fit together; but a year of research and plotting would take place before story writing began.
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