Scott Lanser interviews Henry Smith about a major ABR research initiative: The Genesis 5 and 11 Genealogy and Chronology Research Project. Here in Part 2, we will be discussing the chronology and lifespan of Abraham, the Father of Faith. We will see how the meticulous chronological details embedded throughout the patriarchal narratives require a literal, historical interpretation of Abraham's chronology and lifespan. This has major implications for our understanding of the lifespans of his predecessors, and for biblical anthropology.

It is no surprise that liberal/critical scholars reject the historicity of the patriarchal narratives, and particularly the begetting ages and lifespans of the men listed in Genesis 5 and 11. Esoteric interpretations such as secret numerical systems or dependence upon Sumerian sexagesimal numbering are found throughout the academic literature.

In recent times, many evangelical scholars have argued that the numbers do not refer to actual ages, but are intended to bring honor to these great men of old. This is particularly the case for Genesis 5, but in some instances, this kind of interpretation has now been extended to include Abraham’s lifespan of 175 years (Genesis 25:7–8). This particular perspective requires that the sacred text cannot be understood properly without modern, specialized knowledge of ancient Near Eastern archaeological discoveries and texts. Dependence on these outside "authorities" is a deeply flawed hermeneutic that not only places the external evidence in a position of authority over the sacred text, it violates vital doctrines of Scripture: authority, clarity, and sufficiency. This construct necessarily means that the Church and her Jewish predecessors were unable to properly understand vast portions of the Genesis narratives, since they had no access to the “keys” which unlock the real meaning of the sacred text. The true meaning of the numbers in Genesis 5 and 11 (and now, even Abraham’s numbers) has been beyond the reach of God’s people until modern scholars came along to reveal the truth to us. This hermeneutical “key” to the numbers in Genesis 5 and 11 is not derived from Scripture itself, but is entirely based on fallible and fallen human interpretations of pagan mythologies and other ancient texts and material culture from the ANE. Moreover, systematic and biblical theology must be pushed aside to make way for the hermeneutical priority of modern scholarly interpretations of ANE literature and material culture (and all the attendant and often erroneous assumptions that are bound up with that perspective). This is a modern form of Gnosticism dressed in PhD garb.

Dr. Todd Bolen joins us again for our second episode exploring the archaeological evidence for the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586/7 BC.

Dr. Todd Bolen will join us for two episodes as we explore the archaeological evidence for the Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem in 586/7 BC. In part one, we’ll discuss Judah’s final decades and the destruction of Lachish. Don’t miss it!

Dr. Todd Bolen joins us to talk about the Karnak Temple. One of the most important complexes in all of Egypt, the Karnak Temple at Luxor enhances our understanding of Egyptian history, and helps us to connect it to several events recorded in the Old Testament.

Dr. Todd Bolen joins us to talk about Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Built in the 8th century BC, this major feature in Jerusalem was built to bring water into the city during the Assyrian invasion. We hope you join us for this fascinating, visual journey into Hezekiah’s tunnel!

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling which overrode the authority of individual states to regulate the practice of abortion in America. Hosts Scott Lanser and Henry Smith will complete a two-part episode discussing this decision and the larger topic of abortion in American culture, and how the church is commanded by Christ in Holy Scripture to respond to it.

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling which overrode the authority of individual states to regulate the practice of abortion in America. Hosts Scott Lanser and Henry Smith will begin a two-part episode discussing this decision and the larger topic of abortion in American culture, and how the church is commanded by Christ in Holy Scripture to respond to it.