Creation and Blessing

by Allen P. Ross

Publisher:

Baker

, 1998

Overview

According to the author, his purpose is to “help the reader appreciate the major literary and theological motifs that form the theological ideas in the narratives, and to demonstrate how these theological ideas can be developed into clear and accurate expository ideas.” To accomplish this goal, Ross introduces four approaches to the study of Genesis—literary-analytical, form-critical, traditio-historical, and rhetorical-critical—which he utilizes to expound on the theological ideas manifest in this first book of the Bible.

Ross divides his exposition of Genesis into four basic narratives—The Primeval Events (chapters 1–11); The Patriarchal Narratives about Abraham (chapters 11–25); The Patriarchal Narratives about the Descendants of Abraham (chapters 25–36); and The Story of Joseph (chapters 37–50). Within these narratives are more than sixty chapters where Ross discusses different theological ideas, explaining their structure and synthesizes their message. Included in the text are exegetical and expository outlines, four appendices and a bibliography listing commentaries and monographs on Genesis.

Key Features

• Indepth treatment of the entire book of Genesis
• Step-by-step analysis of each narrative unit in Genesis
• Thorough treatment of various approaches to studying Genesis

Contents

Top Highlights

“But humans are far more than animals. The text shows that human life was set apart in relation to God by the divine plan (‘let us make man’), by the divine pattern (‘as our image’), and by the divine purpose (‘let him have dominion’).” (Page 112)

“These plurals do not explicitly refer to the triunity of the Godhead but do allow for that doctrine’s development through the process of progressive revelation.” (Page 112)

“It is interesting that three times the Word of the Lord is quoted, but never appropriately: once it is questioned in a misleading way, once it is paraphrased with major changes, and once it is flatly denied.” (Page 132)

“The ‘way of Cain’ (Jude 11), then, is unbelief that may manifest itself in envy of God’s dealing with the righteous, in murderous acts, in denial of responsibility for one’s brother, and in refusal to accept the punishment.” (Page 153)

“Those who truly believe the Word of the Lord will forsake all else to become worshipers of the Lord and to serve in his program to bring blessing to the world.” (Page 268)

Praise for the Print Edition

. . . an informative and thoroughly sound exposition of the Bible’s key book…can be read with genuine interest and profit…not only details the divine miracle of creation but also throws light on baffling passages . . .

—John D. Jess, Director, Chapel of the Air

. . . one of the very best commentaries...a narrative style that is most helpful to the reader…deals carefully with the exegetical problems…many 'extras' from the author’s fields of expertise . . .

—Charles C. Ryrie, Professor of Systematic Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis
• Author: Allen P. Ross
• Publisher: Baker
• Publication Date: 1996
• Pages: 744

About Allen P. Ross

Allen P. Ross is professor of divinity and Old Testament at Beeason Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. He has been teaching there since 2002. Ross is the author of Creation and Blessing and Introducing Biblical Hebrew, as well as commentaries on Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, and Proverbs.