The Authenticity of the Book of Genesis

Title: The Authenticity of the Book of Genesis
Author: Bill Cooper
Major Themes: Ancient Legends, History, Archaeology, Apologetics
Synopsis: An in-depth, well-written work describing the historicity of the book of Genesis and evidence for the truth of its claims.

Several years ago, I remember talking to a friend about Eternity in Their Hearts, a book I had finished recently (and which is still one of my favorite books). She said that she thought a book she had, The Authenticity of the Book of Genesis, was similar to Eternity. I was, naturally, curious—so I borrowed this book from her, and over the next few years, I kept looking at it, thinking I should read it, but it looked daunting enough that it took me quite a while to get around to picking it up. Even after starting the book, it took me a good year to finish it. But I have finally reached the end of the book, and I’m a little sad to have it behind me now, even though I’m eager to move on to something else! This was a great read. Not the kind of book you can take in quickly, but there are many encouraging nuggets of truth in these pages.

The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with the rise of higher criticism, its attempt to destroy believers’ faith in the Bible, and evidence from a wide range of sources that prove details in Genesis to be historically accurate. The second section is devoted to flood legends from around the world. As you travel from one continent to another, meeting various indigenous tribes, Bill Cooper tells the legends that have been passed down over the centuries, most oral traditions, but also a few written traditions as well. I found these stories fascinating! The third and final section is very short and deals with the Genesis Flood Tablet, something discovered and translated by Albert T. Clay in 1910. It also talks about the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is also covered in some depth in other sections of the book.

I started reading this book at least two times. The first time, I barely got beyond the introduction, because there were things I wanted to take notes on…and stopping to take notes slowed my reading down so much that I quickly got bogged down and stopped reading. The second time around, I decided to not stop to take notes, but instead, keep pushing forward and pick up what I could as I went. I feel like I learned a lot…but there was a lot more that I could have learned from this book. It’s the kind of book that would take me multiple re-reads to really grasp everything the author is trying to share—there’s a lot here!

Several things stand out to me, though.

One thing Bill Cooper covers is the king list from Genesis 14. He talks about ancient records that have been discovered that name the same series of kings—maybe different translations of their names, but it is easy to recognize that they’re talking about the same people.

Another point, which I found most intriguing, was his discussion about the priest-king Melchizedek (which, of course, is revealed as foreshadowing Jesus in the book of Hebrews), and how there are historical records of priest-kings reigning in the city of Salem (later Jerusalem) at the time of Abraham. More than that, his discussion about Abraham offering Isaac near Salem (we know Mt. Moriah is where Solomon’s temple was later built) while Melchizedek was still likely reigning as king was fascinating to think about.

I also appreciated the brief biography of George Smith’s life that this book offers. I remember hearing about him in different places, but Bill Cooper goes into some depth about how, even in his short 36 years, Smith did much to encourage the hearts of believers with his discoveries.

Last, but certainly not least, I appreciated the time he spent telling the flood legends from around the world. It was fascinating to read about people groups in whose hearts God’s truths still hold some sway (Rom. 2:15). It was incredible to me how many different peoples from around the world still remember things like the one true God, the names of Noah, (and sometimes his sons), and a vast variety of other details that ring true when compared with the Biblical account of the fall of man, the flood, and the dispersal of the nations after Babel. His discussion about the creation and rise of polytheism was also intriguing.

If you are looking for a book that offers evidence supporting the Bible’s claims and want to be encouraged in your faith, I’d recommend The Authenticity of the Book of Genesis. The name is a mouthful—and the text can be sometimes, too!—but overall, I was blessed by this read, and it’s the kind of book that once you’ve read it, you’ll keep coming back to it to refresh your memory and share with others. I hope I can get it on my shelf someday—it’s a good one! Highly recommended.

WARNING: Human sacrifice is mentioned several times, including one section in part 2, chapter 15 that briefly describes the Aztec’s method of sacrificing people (pretty horrific). Overall, the book is fairly clean.

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The Story of the World series The Timechart History of the World A Child’s History of the World The Story of the World Volume 4: The Modern Age