Abstract

Table of Contents

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

 

Volume 1: The Doorway Papers Series

NOAH'S THREE SONS:
HUMAN HISTORY IN THREE DIMENSIONS

Abstract: 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.

See also the Ph.D. Thesis   Does Science Transcend Culture?

    This Paper is a bird's eye view of the History of Man as outlined cryptically in Noah's prediction in Genesis 9:24-27. It sets forth the basic concept that from Noah's three sons have arisen three divisions of the human race, whose decendants re-peopled the earth after the Flood.
     It is further proposed that a kind of division of responsibilities to care for the specific needs of mankind at three fundamental levels - the spiritual, the physical, and the intellectual - was divinely appointed to each branch with appropriate capabilities. Thus the contribution of Shem, in terms of both true and false religious conceptions, has been in the realm of the spirit. The contribution of Ham, in whom are all the coloured races
and who are the originators of the ancient civilizations of both the Old and the New World, has to do with technology which has been unsurpassed. Japheth's contribution has been in the realm of thought. Where
Japheth has applied his philosophical genius to the technological genius of Ham, science has emerged. Where Japheth has applied his philosophical genius to the spiritual insights of Shem, theology has emerged. Thus
human potential reaches its climax when all three brothers (in their descendants) jointly make their contribution.
     The interaction of these three contributions is the theme of this Paper. History bears it out in a remarkble way and it is reflected throughout Scripture.

     The tenth chapter of Genesis is a list of names: it is a record of the families of Noah's three sons from whom (it is plainly stated in verse 32) arose all the nations of the world. This Table of Nations has been questioned as to its validity, its date and its comprehensiveness. From his study of ethnology, cultural and physical anthropology, and history, Custance shows the origins, relationships, and patterns of dispersion of all racial stocks.
     This Paper also explores th evidence that fossil man, pehistoric cultures, primitive peoples (ancient and modern), and modern man are all to be derived from these three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

    Why Noah should curse his grandson, the innocent party, instead of his son, the guilty one, has been a puzzle. From his study of Cultural Anthropology, Custance suggests a new - and simple - explanation.
     It shows how necessary it sometimes is to be able to escape one's own culture and enter into the spirit of another culture that is structured differently in order to see the real motives which lie behind even our own judgments at times.
     It also demonstrates how wonderfully the Scriptures can encompass all kinds of behavioural patterns and yet hold together with an inner concordance that still renders it its own best interpreter.

     If you enjoy reading catalogues, then you may enjoy this Paper, for it is a list of basic technological achievements. And what a wide ranging list it is! And these inventions are traced back to the first originators.
    What is surprising - indeed, incredible - is that the originator turns out to be, not a westerner, but a member of the coloured races - every time!
     They have been inventors par excellence, being peculiarly ingenious in finding practical solutions to practical problems which are simplicity itself - a hallmark of genius. By building on their genius, we westerners have greatly advanced civilization. Why they didn't, and we did, is discussed in Part I and in Part V.
      We have been great borrowers and are somewhat tardy, and remiss, in acknowledging our debt, for our ethnocentrism in writing history has obscured the fact demonstrated in this Paper -- the great service the Hamitic people have rendered to mankind. 

      Everyone needs a purpose or 'explanation' to give significance to daily existence. This continuing search for meaning encompasses not only this present life but past and future, origin and destiny. Down through the centuries histories of Man have been written from varied points of view with varied explanations. This Paper is from a biblical point of view.
     The thesis is that God wished to show forth that aspect of His being which angels have never comprehended, namely, His love; yet without surrendering that part of His being which they do comprehend, namely, His holiness. Centre stage in this grand Plan is Man, having such a nature and in such a situation that he would need to be redeemed - which could only be achieved by the Incarnation and Self-sacrifice of the Creator Himself on behalf of this Man. This Man must have the capacity to respond to this love, an inventive genius to build a civilization within which that love could be demonstrated, and an intellect to understand his need of such a love.
      History, personal existence, the world, the universe - all find meaning and significance when seen from God's perspective: the redemption of mankind. Man, then, becomes the key to the Universe!

Introduction

Chapter 1. Man: The Key to the Universe

Chapter 2. Man's Life: Spiritual, Intellectual, and Physical

Chapter 3. Man's Potential: In Shem, Ham, and Japheth

Chapter 4. Religion, Philosophy, and Technology

Chapter 5. Theology and Science

Chapter 6. The Inventive Genius of Ham

Chapter 7. The World: A Stage for the Drama

Chapter 8. The Universe: A Setting for the World

 

1975 published by Zondervan Publishing Co.
1997 published online
2001 2nd Online Edition – corrected, edited and re-formatted