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The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One: A Multi-Layered Approach Paperback – November 16, 2021

by Gregg Davidson (Author), Kenneth J. Turner (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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See and celebrate the multilayered grandeur conveyed by the first chapter of Genesis

The first chapter of the Bible's first book lays the foundation for all that follows about who God is and what God is like. Our technology-age fascination with the science of origins, however, can blind us to issues of great importance that don't address our culturally conditioned questions. Instead, Genesis One itself suggests the questions and answers that are most significant to human faith and flourishing. Geologist Gregg Davidson and theologian Ken Turner shine a spotlight on Genesis One as theologically rich literature first and foremost, exploring the layers of meaning that showcase various aspects of God's character:
• Song
• Analogy
• Polemic
• Covenant
• Temple
• Calendar
• Land

Our very knowledge of God suffers when we fail to appreciate the Bible's ability to convey multilayered truth simultaneously. The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One offers readers the chance to cultivate an openness to Scripture's richness and a deeper faith in the Creator.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Kregel Academic
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.46 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0825445442
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0825445446
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“In The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One, Gregg Davidson and Kenneth Turner attempt what rarely occurs in biblical studies. Instead of devoting their energies to debunking interpretations of Genesis One with which they disagree, and then triumphally claiming the higher ground, they seek to capitalize on the strengths of divergent points of view to create a more colorful, variegated, and nuanced understanding. Approaching the biblical creation account from a thoroughly orthodox and evangelical perspective, they offer guidance in both substance and tone for pastors and lay readers. Some may not agree with some of their interpretations, but all should welcome this invitation to conversation and reflection on a rich text that has engaged scholars and ordinary people for thousands of years.” -- Daniel Block ― Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College Published On: 2021-07-09

“What a friendly and helpful book Gregg Davidson and Kenneth Turner have given us! With a clear commitment to Scripture, solid knowledge of their subject, and a gentle manner, they have offered us many ways to enrich our understanding of Genesis One and to quell our fears of its “conflict with science.” They handle objections thoughtfully and persuasively, and they even provide discussion questions after each chapter. This should serve the church well.” -- C. John Collins ― Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary Published On: 2021-07-09

“Gregg Davidson and Kenneth Turner have written a superb book devoted to understanding the riches and beauty of Genesis One and its wide-ranging implications. They show how this opening and foundational chapter to Scripture is richly textured, multi-layered, and theologically robust. It is a feast for mind and heart!” -- Paul Copan ― Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University Published On: 2021-07-09

“In The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One, Davidson and Turner persuasively describe the literary beauty and rich theological message of the opening chapter of the Bible. Genesis One proclaims that God created everything, but its message goes much deeper and further in scope. Davidson and Turner masterfully unpack Genesis One to reveal seven interlacing and complementary layers of meaning. This book is a must read for everyone who wants to know Scripture, and therefore God, better.” -- Tremper Longman, III ― Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College Published On: 2021-07-09

“The authors of this book contend that while it is sometimes helpful to explore competing views on a particular topic, there is also value in appreciating complementary models to gain an appreciation of a variety of productive vantage points. They serve readers well by presenting a collaboration of perspectives that together unpack an understanding of Genesis One that is more robust than any single approach can achieve. Their clear writing and their literary, cultural, and theological sensitivity provide a multi-dimensional expansion of interpretative insights that not only enrich our view of the creation narrative but suggest ways that we can finally move beyond some of the persistent squabbles that have divided Christians.” -- John Walton ― Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College Published On: 2021-07-09

About the Author

Gregg Davidson is the Chair of Geology & Geological Engineering at the University of Mississippi. He has written a number of articles and the book When Faith and Science Collide. Davidson is an active national speaker on the subject of faith and science with Solid Rock Lectures.

Kenneth J. Turner (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at Toccoa Falls College. His other works include The Death of Deaths in the Death of Israel.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kregel Academic (November 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0825445442
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0825445446
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.46 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

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Gregg Davidson

Gregg Davidson

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Gregg Davidson has been a professor of Geology & Geological Engineering since 1996, specializing in hydrology and geochemistry, and serving for many years as the department chair. His professional writing is divided between the purely scientific (usually tied in some way to water), and the intersection of science and Christian faith. On the strictly science side, he loves to get away from the office with some regularity, whether wading chest deep in a cypress swamp, or rushing to the levee when the mighty Mississippi spills over its banks. On matters of faith and science, Gregg has a passion for understanding and communicating the harmony (or at least lack of conflict) that exists between the Bible and modern science.

Gregg’s works of fiction are the product of an early morning routine that includes a hot mug of coffee and an hour of self-indulgent writing. No contracts or deadlines. Just the fun of starting with the barest idea of a story, and becoming a participant in the plot as it unfolds in unexpected ways.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
33 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Paul Lundquist
5.0 out of 5 stars I feel like I learned something new on just about every page
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: Gregg is an old friend going back to college days. But if the book he co-authored was no good, or even less than stellar, then I would simply maintain a discreet silence about it the way I've done with other friends' books that might have benefitted from having been left unwritten. In this case though, it seemed wrong to withhold an enthusiastic review just because I knew one of the authors. "Manifold Beauty" really is that good. I want everyone who has an interest in Genesis 1 to read it. It's deep enough to swim in, clear enough to see into, and pure enough to drink. And you'll LEARN things. I can't count the number of times the thought occurred to me, "Huh. I didn't know that." What makes such learning a double joy for me is that I can personally vouch for the soundness and nobility of Gregg's character. (I don't know Ken Turner from Adam, but I have no reason to believe he isn't a great guy too.)
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Eryn Lynum
5.0 out of 5 stars I have a new and deeper understanding of Genesis 1 (and the whole Bible!)
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
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I am so grateful for an entire book devoted to the first chapter of the Bible! After reading, I feel I'm better equipped to study the rest of Scripture with a clearer context of God's heart in creation and for Sabbath rest. I highlighted so many great takeaways and will be revisiting it as a much-needed resource for my personal Bible study and in my writing and teaching.
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US customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
I was very excited to see there was a book based solely on Gen. 1 but it isn't really what I expected. I was hoping for a book which dealt with the subject from a theology or a scientific approach, perhaps showing what we do know about creation from astronomy, etc. The text goes more into textual matters and because the different chapters deal with Gen. 1 from separate viewpoints, I find there is a fair amount of repetition. Gen. 1 is like the end of Beethoven's Ninth - it leaves you overcome by the beauty and vastness and I was hoping for more about that.
One person found this helpful
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Dale
5.0 out of 5 stars Theology or History
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
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This is an excellent book! Too much ink has been spilled seeking the single correct interpretation of Genesis one. With a gracious voice, Davidson and Turner demonstrate that Genesis one contains many theological takeaways that are all simultaneously valid. This book will be useful to students of the Bible and theology and those interested in science. Like Genesis itself, it doesn't spend much space addressing the scientific debate but that, I think, is the point. The authors want us to see that Genesis is theologically deep and wide but should not be seen primarily as a historical chronicle.
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NT Student
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for all who seek to understand Genesis.
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021
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This book reminds us that the creation story is more than we ever thought. Genesis one is a marvelously crafted story with intricately designed wording and complex stories about God and his desires and plans. We so often limit it to merely some sort of creation story. It is so much more.
The authors have challenged me to go back and plumb out the rich text. I have missed so much.
One person found this helpful
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S. Hancock
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2022
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Very interesting. Thought provoking. Great questions at the end of each chapter. I wish it came with a study guide. Would love to do a book study with a Sunday school type group.
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Pat J. Sikora
4.0 out of 5 stars The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One: A Multi-Layered Approach
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2022
Authors Gregg Davidson (a geologist) and Kenneth J. Turner (a theologian) partner to demonstrate that Scripture can have many layers and all can be true simultaneously. Their basic approach in "The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One: A Multi-Layered Approach" (Kregel Academic) is that the many layers of Scripture can complement rather than compete with one another. They counter the argument that if a book or passage can be true with one interpretation, it can’t be true using another. Therefore, their primary thesis is that Genesis 1 contains multiple layers of truth and that Truth is not dependent on all of the proposed layers being accepted or even that every element within each layer be affirmed.

Explores Divergent Points of View

Rather than debunking interpretations of Genesis 1 with which they disagree, they explore the strengths of divergent points of view to create a poli-variegated, nuanced understanding of the chapter, and in the process, the full body of Scripture. They seemed to be using Genesis 1 as an example, pro forma if you will, by which to approach all of the Old Testament.

That being said, there was a fair amount of redundancy, and it was easy to get bogged down in the various arguments. The authors also spent a lot of time in other passages of the Old Testament by way of example, which made it a challenge to see the clean arguments applied to Genesis 1.

All True, All at the Same Time

The layers they pursue in depth include song, analogy, polemic, covenant, temple, calendar, and land. We studied all of these in seminary but applied them to different passages, different books. Here they suggest that all are found in Genesis 1 and all are true. All at the same time. And if you happen to disagree with one, that’s OK. Keep looking and you’ll find a layer more suitable to your design.

A Book for Such a Time as This

The book is deep. Not your average Sunday afternoon read. It will be appreciated by those who love to study the deep nuances of theology. But it is probably a book, and an approach, that many of us should consider in the current climate of cancel culture. It simply reminds us that not one of us has a monopoly on Truth. And that’s a good thing.
One person found this helpful
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