Heaven and Earth

Class Genesis 1 15 Hours

Explore the biblical concepts of Heaven and Earth in Genesis 1 and gain a fresh perspective on the new creation.

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Classroom Heaven and Earth

Class Overview

Debates around how to understand heaven and earth in Genesis 1 often distract us from the significance of the Bible’s opening words. Explore the architecture of Heaven and Earth, first introduced in Genesis 1 and developed throughout the Psalms and the Bible’s wisdom literature. Learn to read the Bible in light of the author’s ancient worldview and discover the rich meaning in Jesus’ message about the new creation.

14hrs 40min
Lecture Time
8
Units
31
Video Sessions
7
Exercises
Dr. Tim Mackie

Your Instructor

Dr. Tim Mackie
Tim Mackie is a writer and creative director for BibleProject. He has a PhD in Semitic Languages and Biblical Studies. He wrote his dissertation on the manuscript history of the book of Ezekiel, with a focus on the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls. What a total nerd! He is a professor at Western Seminary and served as a teaching pastor for many years.

Class Sessions

Unit 00: Get Started
1
Class Objectives
2
Class Handouts
Unit 01: The Meaning of “Heaven” and “Earth”
Unit 1 Introduction
1
Session 1: Our Place in the Universe
23:15
2
Session 2: “Heavens” and “Earth” in the Bible
34:28
3
Session 3: “Heavens” and “Earth” Come Together in Jesus
26:29
4
Session 4: Reflections on New Testament View
19:15
5
Session 5: Scripture, Communication, Language, and Culture
16:13
6
Unit Summary
Exercises
7 Questions
Unit 02: Genesis 1 in its Ancient Context
Unit 2 Introduction
1
Prework
2
Session 6: Genesis 1 is an Ancient Israelite Cosmology
29:01
3
Session 7: The Purpose of Light on Day 1
31:33
4
Session 8: Ancient Egyptian Cosmology
27:55
5
Session 9: Ancient Babylonian Cosmology
17:16
6
Session 10: The "Beginning" and "Nothingness"
28:21
7
Session 11: Genesis 1 Imagery - Jeremiah 4
20:34
8
Session 12: Genesis 1 Imagery - Psalm 104
18:51
9
Unit Summary
Exercises
12 Questions
Unit 03: The Literary Design of Genesis 1
Unit 3 Introduction
1
Session 13: The Structure and Message of Genesis 1
24:37
2
Session 14: Repeated Words in Genesis 1
25:09
3
Session 15: Relationships Between Days
36:28
4
Unit Summary
Exercises
11 Questions
Unit 04: A Tour of the Cosmos
Unit 4 Introduction
1
Session 16: The Waters Above and Below
24:02
2
Session 17: The Dragon in the Waters
31:04
3
Session 18: The Dry Land
37:17
4
Session 19: Reflections on Where All Creation is Headed
30:37
5
Session 20: God as Refuge and Rivers as Life
37:31
6
Session 21: Jesus and Living Water
21:49
7
Session 22: Ancient Cosmology in Psalm 36
27:18
8
Unit Summary
Exercises
12 Questions
Unit 05: The Unity of Heaven and Earth
Unit 5 Introduction
1
Session 23: The Heavens
25:33
2
Session 24: Heaven and Earth United in the Temple
29:48
3
Session 25: Reflections on Heaven Coming to Earth
22:19
4
Session 26: The Rulers Above
39:13
5
Unit Summary
Exercises
7 Questions
Unit 06: Humans and Their Role in the Cosmos
Unit 6 Introduction
1
Prework
2
Session 27: The Rulers Below
23:44
3
Session 28: Humans as the Image, or Idol, of God
41:22
4
Session 29: The Image of God in the Storyline of the Bible
21:31
5
Unit Summary
Exercises
13 Questions
Unit 07: Time and Eschatology in Genesis 1
Unit 7 Introduction
1
Session 30: God "Rests" on the Seventh Day
44:33
2
Session 31: The Sabbath with No End
41:01
3
Unit Summary
Exercises
11 Questions
Unit 08: Final Project
Unit 8 Introduction
1
Class Project
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