Author: Austin McCollum

Genesis 16-25: Ishmael was NOT antithetical to Israel

While reading through Genesis and studying Abraham, it was very apparent that Ishmael needed to be studied as well. After taking a closer look, the truths within the story of Ishmael are very profound and answer a lot of questions about him while correcting the misconceptions many of us have. Understanding Ishmael helps to reinforce and develop our understanding of God and the story of salvation.

Conception/Birth of Ishmael

Ishmael’s conception was … Read the rest

Genesis 14: Melchizedek, Eternal Priesthood of Christ

Introduction

Reading through Genesis 14, we read Abram’s epic battle with five kings, then we meet Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High (see Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek is mentioned once here, and not again until Psalm 110, then silence until the Letter to the Hebrews. My curiosity about this mysterious man led me through several hours of research and studying to understand his significance in the story of salvation. … Read the rest

Genesis 12-22: Abraham journeyed by faith, follow him

Abraham is the Father of Faith yet many details of Abraham’s story are often overlooked. We will journey through the story of Abraham to build up to the Sacrifice of Isaac, where everything in Abraham’s journey culminates so that Abraham becomes the Father of Faith. During our journey through Abraham’s story, we will focus on Abraham’s relationship with God and Abraham’s deepening faith as we end in the climax of the sacrifice … Read the rest

Genesis: the misunderstood foundations of the Bible

The book of Genesis is the first book in the Bible and forms the foundation for the story of salvation. Sadly, Genesis is also the most misunderstood book of the Bible resulting in confusion and misconceptions of the entire story of salvation within the Bible. Personally, I was one of these people which is why I was an atheist for 16 years. After understanding God does exist and spending numerous hours studying the … Read the rest

Genesis 11: Tower of Babel, Translating ancient truths

After people read the story of the Tower of Babel, they think they understood it because it was translated into their language, however more often than not, they do not understand it all. This is quite ironic because of the core meaning of this short story, which actually has little if anything to do with the origins of language.

Summary

We are all familiar with the story of the tower of Babel, … Read the rest

Genesis 6-9: The misunderstood truth of Noah’s Ark

The story of Noah’s Ark is scientifically impossible. There cannot be an entire global flood. This fact causes many to write-off Christianity because the statement that “nothing is impossible for God” isn’t always received well. But we have to ask, what does the story actually mean? What may the flood have looked like? And, wouldn’t the Ark be somewhere?

To summarize the story of Noah’s Ark, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind … Read the rest

Genesis 4: Cain and Abel show us how to love God

We need to be like Adam, not Cain. I know Adam committed the first sin, pretty terrible thing, but Cain was the first sinner. Doesn’t sinning make one a sinner? Well, Adam eventually repented to God, but Cain on the other hand, let sin consume him, making him the first sinner, the first person consumed by sin, and even worse, the first unrepentant sinner.

For a brief summary, Cain … Read the rest

Genesis 3: What is the Garden of Eden & talking snake?

 The account of the Fall of humanity in Genesis chapter 3 is often misunderstood by the secular world, even being cited as a reason for not being Christian. My favorite line from reddit is, “Thankfully there is a talking snake so we know it’s not real.” In reality, this is all real but the disparity between the modern world and the ancient causes many to lack an understanding on … Read the rest

Genesis 1-2: SCIENCE & CREATION, do they work together?

When someone in the 21^st century opens the Bible to Genesis chapter 1 and reads the universe was created in just six days, it is easy to simply write it all off as bologna and slam it shut. I almost did that. This is due to a lack of understanding of how to read the creation story.

There is also a huge divide between seculars and Christian surrounding evolution and … Read the rest