Genesis—It’s Historical Narrative

Have you ever read through Genesis in one sitting? If you do, you’ll notice there’s no change in style between Genesis chapters one through eleven and Genesis twelve. What do I mean?

Well, some Christian leaders say Genesis one to eleven—creation, the fall, the flood, and the tower of Babel—is “mytho-history.” They say “real” history starts with Abraham in Genesis twelve.

But the entire book reads as historical narrative from beginning to end. It all reads as an historical account because . . . it is. And Genesis 11 and 12 both mention Abraham, linking those histories together.

The entire Bible agrees: Genesis is history!

Dig Deeper

• How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 1: Principles for Understanding God’s Word
• How Should We Interpret the Bible, Part 2: Is Genesis 1–11 Historical Narrative?