Genesis: A Theological Commentary (Volume 2)

God is called "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" a total of 18 times in the Bible - and in the New Testament, 6 times. Abraham's name is used 246 times across the Bible. Jesus and the Apostles mention his name 70 times in the New Testament. Why, then, do modern preachers hardly ever mention his name in their sermons? According to the Apostles and Prophets, the Patriarchs and their faith is the very foundation of Christianity. The Apostle Paul tells us that the Gospel was first preached to Abraham. And (Paul goes on to say) if we have the faith of Abraham, we will become his heirs and inherit the Treasures that God first gave to him and the other Patriarchs. There are two ways to interpret the book of Genesis: either as a series of morality lessons, or as spiritual concepts that are far more fundamental to our Christian faith. According to the Apostles, God first gave "the right to become children of God" to the Patriarchs - and we now inherit that same Treasure if we become one of Abraham's Family. Adam failed God in the first Creation, so God is planning to make a new Creation. And Genesis describes the new Son who will live and rule in that new Creation.