This Volume of five Papers is a bird's eye view of the world after the Flood, of how these three sons and their wives re-peopled the world, establishing (and destroying) civilizations and cultures as they spread over the earth. It is not a haphazard or chance occurrence for, when seen from the divine point of view, God has sovereignly ordered the unfolding of His purposes for the well-being of all peoples so that the complete potential of the human race might find full expression.

The basic thesis is that the tenth chapter of Genesis, the Table of Nations, is a statement about the origins of the present world population, and of how these descendants of the three brothers spread out over the earth. And it is further proposed that a division of responsiblities to care for the needs of man at three fundamental levels -- spiritual, physical, and intellectual - were divinely appointed to each of these three branches of Noah's family. History bears out the uniqueness of each of these racial stocks in a remarkable way. In these Papers is the evidence for the technological genius of Ham, the intellectual character of Japheth, and the spiritual qualities of Shem.

The interaction of these three contributions is the theme of this history. The final Paper is an exploration of the broader implications of the thesis, and of underlying causes (linguistic, cultural, etc.) that have led each branch to continue to make its unique contribution. Human potential reaches its climax when all three brothers jointly make their common contributions. Thus this three-dimensional view of human history gives insights into the manner in which God ordained that the full potential of the human race should unfold and find expression in the individual and in the nation.

Yet it is contended that if there is meaning to the universe, it is to be found in the birth and death of Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, that God might by a process of Redemption show forth His love toward the First Adam and his descendants whose very existences depend upon the creation of such a physical world. Man, then, is the key to the meaning of the universe.

The current interpretation of human fossil remains challenges the biblical statements of man's origin. Yet the facts of these remains cannot be simply rejected. An alternative interpretation is here presented after examining what is known of man's early history, his culture, his intelligence, the factors which determine the shape of a skull and the validity of anthropological reconstructions and the origin of language, that unique faculty possessed by man alone. And a study of patterns of cultural behaviour help us to understand some incidents in Scripture.

This book is both an anthropological and a biblical study of man as a child of Adam and as a child of God. It is a study of human nature and how it can and cannot be changed. Man suffers from a fatal disease, inflicted by Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. To pretend that human nature has improved or is capable of improvement by natual means is the worst form of deception.   But man has possibilities because he was once stamped with something the Scriptures call "the image of God".

Once this image is restored by an act of re-creation on God's part, there begins a new work: the formation of a personality pleasing to God.   The result is that a man can be an entirely new creation in Jesus Christ, yet be recognizable as the same individual.

This Volume of Doorway Papers is on the subject of Origins, particularly the origin of the earth, of monotheism, and of man himself.

In dealing with the question of the age of the earth and how it came into being, four alternative views are presented with one being discussed in depth ("The Preparation of the Earth Before Man").   Two Papers show that the evidence does not support the evolutionary view in the matter of the origin of religion ("Primitive Monotheism and the Origin of Polytheism") and in the origin of Man ("Convergence and the Origin of Man").   One Paper ("The Survival of the UN-fit") demonstrates the irrationality of the evolutionary faith in the 'survival of the fittest'.

The final Paper, "Is Man an Animal?" is important because it shows that man is not merely quantitatively different from all other creatures, but qualitatively different ? these differences are discusssed in 6 chapters.   The conclusion in the last chapter is that man was created a unique creature because he was to become a "house" for God Himself to be manifested in the flesh, and that this Incarnation really demands a uniqueness in the constitution of man which puts him in a category by himself completely separate from all other animal forms.

This study is about the central message of the Christian faith: the redemption of mankind by the offering of the body of Christ, once for all.   From data both scientific and theological, the author discusses some of the physical effects of the Fall of Adam from eating the forbidden fruit which then necessitated the Redeemer's virgin birth and incarnation, of why and how this Redeemer had to be both human and divine, and the physical aspects of the Redeemer's crucifixion and resurrection.   Our redemption depends upon the kind of physical body possessed by both the First and the Last Adam.   This study reveals how the Plan of Redemption determined just how God had to design mankind and even the very Universe for such an event.

The six Papers in this Volume do not form a connected series but they do have this in common: they all assume Scripture to be the touchstone of truth.   It is demonstrated that Scripture is able to stimulate one's thinking enormously, especially when the mind is informed by the data of current research.   It is also demonstrated how consistent Scripture is, both with itself and with the assured findings of research.   Furthermore, it is shown how one Spirithas clearly directed an supervised and inspired the writing of Scripture throughout.

This miscellany of six biblical studies give insight into the ways of God with mankind as seem in revelation and in history.   Even the most unpromising passages (like genealogies) prove to be a rich source of blessing and spiritual truth.   Attention to grammar and syntax in the Hebrew language supply new meaning to the first chapter of Genesis.   Questions about the reliability of the early portion of Scripture, about contradictions within Scripture, of what is prophecy or merely prediction, of why God intervenes dramatically at times but is silent at other times challenge both the heart and mind.   Answers suggested here are refreshing and thought-provoking.   Scripture thus bears everywhere the hallmarks of true inspiration: its words are for children, its thoughts are for men.   No other such book as this was ever written.

The overriding theme in the four Papers in this book is man's position in the universe.   A clear understanding of what that position really is, seen in the light of evidences of divine forethought in creation, is important not only in his search for meaning and purpose in life, but for his spiritual well-being.

This volume is a miscellany of 8 studies dealing with various aspects of biblical faith and experience.   Three subjects throw light on the inerrancy of Scripture: evidence for the extent of the Flood from the Bible and from Flood traditions; the effect of the curse ("in the sweat of thy brow") as stated in Genesis in the light of scientific studies; and how names are viewed in the Bible and other cultures.   Some of the physical aspects of evil which impact daily life (diseases, earthquakes, wars, etc.) can be viewed as expressions of God's common grace.   Two Papers, which are more personal, are concerned with worship and prayer.   The final Paper defines Christian scholarship.