The Discovery of Genesis

What if traces of Genesis have been preserved in one of the world's oldest writing systems?

The Discovery of Genesis by C. H. Kang and Ethel R. Nelson explores the structure of ancient Chinese characters and proposes that many of them reflect ideas found in the opening chapters of the Bible. First published in 1979, this study examines whether early Chinese writing may preserve cultural memories that parallel the accounts of Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel.

Using a method of breaking down classical ideograms into their original pictographic elements, the authors analyze familiar characters and compare their meanings with themes from Genesis. For example, the character for boat combines elements representing a vessel, eight, and people, while other characters suggest imagery of a garden, trees, temptation, and loss. Kang and Nelson invite readers to consider whether these patterns are coincidental or part of a deeper historical connection.

Beyond linguistic analysis, the book also looks at early Chinese religious thought, including references to a supreme heavenly ruler, and explores how ancient cultures may have preserved shared traditions about human origins.

Readers will explore:

Key Chinese characters and their pictographic components Parallels between early Chinese writing and Genesis 1-11 The role of language in preserving cultural memory Ancient Chinese views of creation, morality, and divine authority Questions surrounding history, interpretation, and belief

Accessible to general readers while engaging topics in linguistics, history, and theology, The Discovery of Genesis offers a distinctive perspective on the relationship between language and biblical narrative. It is particularly valuable for those interested in apologetics, comparative religion, and the study of ancient civilizations.