Andrew Fuller on Genesis 1 as Scripture

"The account given by Moses relates not to the whole creation, but merely to what it immediately concerns us to know. God made angels; but nothing is said of them. The moon is called one of the greater lights, not as to what it is in itself, but what it is to us. The Scriptures are written, not to gratify curiosity, but to nourish faith. They do not stop to tell you how, nor answer a number of questions which might be asked; but tell you so much as is necessary, and no more."

Andrew Fuller on Genesis 1 and theism

"In this account of the creation nothing is said on the being of God; this great truth is taken for granted. May not this apparent omission be designed to teach us that those who deny the existence of a Deity are rather to be rebuked than reasoned with? All reasoning and instruction must proceed upon some principle or principles, and what can be more proper than this? Those writers who have gone about to prove it, have, in my opinion, done but little, if any, good; and in many instances have only set men a doubting upon a subject which is so manifest from every thing around them as to render the very heathens without excuse, Rom.i.20."

Andrew Fuller

In the last few months I’ve been introduced to the life and writings of Andrew Fuller. Fuller was an English Baptist preacher teacher writer dude around the late 18th / early 19th century. I keep wondering why I’ve not been introduced to Fuller sooner. Why on earth are Fuller and his writings not better known?

I’d recommend Michael Haykin’s selection from Fuller’s letters to anyone who enjoys reading historic letters. I’d certainly encourage any Christian reader to get a copy of the book. It was a real tonic to my weary soul recently.

At the moment I’m reading parts of Fuller’s Expository Discourses on the Book of Genesis. Fuller, in the dedication, describes how the work is the fruit of his expositions through Genesis during Lord’s day morning public worship. The habit of systematic exposition, usually one chapter at a time, allowed for “a more connected view of the Scriptures” compared to sermons on particular passages.

Here is an example of Fuller's writing taken from his exposition of Genesis chapter 4 verses 6,7. The style may not delight but the clarity and depth of Fuller's reflections is brilliant and helpful:

"Observe how things are ordered in the dealings of God with men. Abel was not accepted of God for his well-doing; neither faith nor obedience was that on account of which he was justified, but the righteousness of him in whom he believed. Yet it was in well-doing that he obtained eternal life, Rom. ii.7. Though faith was not the cause of the Lord’s having respect to him, nor his having offered in faith the cause of his having respect to his works; yet each was a necessary concomitant. And this, while it secures the interests of righteousness in the righteous, serves to silence the wicked, and make them feel the justice of their condemnation. Thus, at the last judgment, though every one who is saved will be saved by grace only, yet all will be judged according to their works. Things will be so ordered that the righteous will have nothing to boast of, and the wicked nothing to complain of, inasmuch as the decision in both cases will proceed according to character."