For many Christians today, there’s a growing tendency to sideline the Old Testament, particularly Genesis, in favor of focusing on the New Testament. The argument often sounds something like this: “Jesus didn’t talk much about the details of creation, so why should we? Isn’t Genesis just a bunch of mythological stories?” But this line of reasoning misses the profound connection between the Old and New Testaments—a connection that is foundational to our faith.
Does the New Testament’s lack of detailed explanations about Genesis mean those early chapters of the Bible are less important for Christians? Or could the very fact that they aren’t discussed in great detail actually be a powerful testimony to how central Genesis was to Jesus, the apostles, and the early church?
Why Would Jesus Need to Explain Genesis?
When Jesus walked the earth, He preached primarily to Jewish audiences—people who already believed in the Old Testament as an authoritative record of history. When debating religious leaders, Jesus often referenced Genesis, assuming His audience’s agreement on its authority. For instance, in Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus pointed to the creation of Adam and Eve when teaching about marriage:
"Haven’t you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Jesus didn’t need to explain or defend the historical accuracy of Genesis—His audience already accepted it. His use of Genesis in such a straightforward manner confirms its foundational role. The absence of long explanations about the creation account or Adam and Eve’s fall is not evidence of its unimportance; rather, it shows that these were accepted truths for His listeners.
Did the Apostles Ignore Genesis?
Some argue that since the apostles didn’t often delve into the specifics of Genesis, perhaps it wasn’t critical to the Christian message. But a closer look reveals something different. The apostles frequently referenced Genesis to make key theological points, assuming their readers would understand the significance.
Consider Paul’s comparison between Adam and Jesus in Romans 5:12-21. Paul uses the story of Adam’s sin as a framework for understanding Jesus’ redemptive work:
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned … so also through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:12, 19)
If we dismiss the historical reality of Adam, Paul’s argument collapses. The contrast between Adam’s disobedience and Jesus’ obedience is essential to understanding the gospel. Without Genesis, we miss the very foundation of why humanity needs salvation in the first place.
What About Evangelizing to Gentiles?
When Paul preached to Gentiles, did he avoid using Genesis because they lacked Jewish knowledge? Not at all. When addressing the philosophers at the Areopagus in Acts 17, Paul begins his message by referring to God as the Creator of the world:
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands." (Acts 17:24)
He then roots human history in a single origin, stating: “From one man he made all the nations” (Acts 17:26). Even when speaking to a non-Jewish audience, Paul draws on Genesis as the foundation for his explanation of who God is and why humans need redemption.
Genesis is not just for Jewish audiences—it is the story of all humanity. It reveals the origins of the world, the fall of humankind, and God’s plan for redemption, all of which are necessary to grasp the full message of the gospel.
A Missing Genesis Means a Missing Gospel
The New Testament is clear: Jesus and the apostles believed in the historical truth of Genesis. They didn’t need to explain it in detail because it was already a foundational part of the Jewish faith. Yet, whenever they talked about sin, salvation, or God’s plan for humanity, they referenced Genesis as a key part of that story.
Consider Jesus’ teaching on His second coming in Matthew 24:37-39:
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away."
Jesus points back to the flood, treating it as a historical event that helps His followers understand what His return will be like. If the flood were a myth, this comparison would make little sense. But because it was a real event, Jesus uses it to illustrate the suddenness and seriousness of His return.
The Full Picture of Scripture
The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. When Paul wrote to Timothy, he affirmed the importance of all Scripture, including the Old Testament:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
To neglect Genesis is to neglect the very beginning of God’s story—the story that Jesus came to fulfill. Genesis reveals who God is as Creator, the nature of sin, and the need for a Savior. Without it, the gospel becomes detached from its historical and theological foundation.
Why Should We Believe Genesis Today?
Some Christians today argue that Genesis is merely symbolic or mythological. But if we believe in the authority of Jesus and the apostles, we cannot dismiss Genesis. They treated it as historical truth, and so should we.
How can we understand the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice without understanding the fall of Adam?
How can we grasp the full meaning of redemption without knowing how sin entered the world in the first place?
If Genesis isn’t reliable, how can we trust the rest of Scripture?
What the New Testament Doesn't Say Speaks Volumes
The New Testament’s silence on many of the details of Genesis isn’t a sign of its unimportance—it’s a testament to how universally accepted it was among Jesus and the early believers. It was foundational to their understanding of God’s work in the world and His plan for redemption.
If Genesis was good enough for Jesus and the apostles, it should be good enough for us. Instead of dismissing it, we should treasure it as the beginning of God’s beautiful story of salvation. From the first chapter of Genesis to the final chapter of Revelation, the Bible reveals one cohesive narrative that points to Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer.
Are you willing to dive into the full story of Scripture, starting with Genesis? The truth is there, waiting to be unlocked.
Scriptures Referenced:
Matthew 19:4-6
Romans 5:12-19
Acts 17:24-26
Matthew 24:37-39
2 Timothy 3:16
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