The Discovery of Genesis

Can elements of the Genesis account be reflected in the structure of one of the world’s oldest written languages?

In The Discovery of Genesis, C. H. Kang and Ethel R. Nelson examine ancient Chinese characters and explore how their earliest pictographic forms may correspond to themes found in Genesis 1–11. First published in 1979, this work studies whether aspects of early Chinese writing preserve cultural memories that align with the biblical accounts of creation, the fall into sin, the flood, and the spread of nations.

By carefully analyzing the components of classical Chinese characters, the authors highlight patterns that appear to echo familiar biblical imagery. For example, certain characters incorporate elements representing a vessel, eight persons, trees, a garden, or themes of temptation and loss. Kang and Nelson present these observations not as definitive proof, but as a thoughtful inquiry into how language may carry forward shared human history.

The book also considers the religious context of early China, including references to a supreme heavenly ruler, and reflects on how ancient cultures understood creation, morality, and divine authority.

Readers will:

• Examine Chinese characters and their original pictographic elements
• Explore parallels between early Chinese writing and Genesis 1–11
• Consider how language can preserve cultural memory over generations
• Learn about early Chinese views of divine authority and creation
• Reflect on connections between history, language, and Scripture

Approachable and thought-provoking, The Discovery of Genesis invites readers to explore an unusual intersection of linguistics, history, and theology. It serves as a conversation partner for those interested in the reliability of Scripture, the study of ancient cultures, and the ways in which human language bears witness to God’s work in history.