Relationship between Genesis 1-11 & Origins Assignment | Get Paper Help

GENESIS 1-11: BIBLICAL ACCOUNTS OF ORIGINS S2
I. KEY THOUGHTS S3
1. Literary Genre S4
CENTRAL QUESTION: What is the literary genre of Gen 1-11?
• a strict literal word-for-word scientific & historical record of HOW the universe & life,
including humans, ACTUALLY originated
OR
• a complex literature featuring: S5
Spiritual Truths º 1st & foremost
ancient poetry (structured writing)
ancient story & allegory
ancient science
ancient historiography
2. Ancient Historiography Greek historia: history graphô: to write S6
DEF: the writing of history by ANCIENT people
similar to the way ancient people conceptualized the science-of-the-day, they also
conceptualized the history-of-the-day
THEIR understanding of history from THEIR Ancient Phenomenological Perspective
NOTE: S7
ALL Historical Accounts (both ancient & modern) include:
• Historical Facts
as conceptualized from the perspective of the historian
• Metaphysical (Religious) Interpretations of the Historical Facts
EG ancient: Hebrew interpretation of worldwide flood S8
modern: religious interpretations of September 11 S9
Message-Incident Principle: 1 New Application st S10 H42
Ancient Historiography in Gen 1-11 is an incidental vessel that delivers inerrant Messages
Therefore þ SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE
3. Ancient Accounts of Origins S11
Feature Four Components:
ANCIENT COSMOGONY Greek cosmos: universe gonos: birth, creation
origin of the universe & life º science-of-the-day
ANCIENT HISTORIOGRAPHY
origin of humans & the first communities º history-of-the-day
ANCIENT STORY & ALLEGORY S12
accounts of origins are often cast in a story-like or allegory-like format
RELIGIOUS (METAPHYSICAL) INTERPRETATION
spiritual truths & values of a community or civilization
Message-Incident Principle: 2 New Application nd S13 H42
Ancient Account of Origins in Gen 1-11 is an incidental vessel that delivers inerrant Messages
Therefore þ SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE
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4. Genesis 11-12 REAL HISTORY “Boundary” S2-5 H42
Conservative Christian Theologians see real history in the Bible beginning to “phase in”
ROUGHLY around Gen 12 with Abraham
the “boundary” is not sharply defined
Common Concern: S6
IF Gen 1-11 is not historical,
THEN the New Testament & Jesus are not historical
Academic Response: S7
Gen 1-11 is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LITERARY GENRE than the New Testament
K NT is based on eyewitness accounts see SQ 1-3
Genre of NT þ Eye Witness Testimony
See Richard Bauckham, Jesus & the Eyewitnesses (2006)
THEREFORE: S8-9
DON’T USE GENESIS 1-11 HERMENEUTICS
FOR NEW TESTAMENT!
DON’T USE NEW TESTAMENT HERMENEUTICS
FOR GENESIS 1-11!
II. ANCIENT ACCOUNTS OF ORIGINS: INTRODUCTORY CATEGORIES S10
ETIOLOGY Greek aitia “cause or reason for this” S11
DEF: the cause or reason for something/one
ALL accounts of origins (ancient & modern) ask the basic etiological question:
What is the cause or reason for the existence of the universe, life, & us?
ANCIENT MAJOR MOTIFS OF ORIGINS S12
DEF: scientific & historical paradigms-of-the-day in the ancient world
appear in a majority of origins accounts throughout the world
both explicitly & implicitly
NOT literary devices as the term “motif” is often used today S13
BUT
Ancient Cosmogony & Ancient Historiography
K origin of the world & origin of humans
(1) De Novo Creation Motif S14
quick & complete origin of the universe & life, including most times a 1st man & 1st woman
Etiological Question:
What is the cause or reason for the origin of the world & people?
(2) Lost Idyllic Age Motif S15
a something-went-wrong-in-the-world account
points back to the disruption of an original harmony in the world
negative effects of this event continue into the present
Etiological Question:
What is the cause or reason for the bad things in the world?
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(3) Tribal Formation Motif S2
origin of a people or nation from a single founding male individual
Etiological Questions:
What is the cause or reason for the origin of our people? And our enemies?
(4) Great Flood Motif S3
destruction of life thru a flood and the survival of a few humans & some animals in a boat
often found in communities living in regions susceptible to flooding
Etiological Question:
What is the cause or reason for the great flood?
Message-Incident Principle: 3 New Application S4 H4 rd 2
Ancient Major Motifs in Gen 1-11 are an incidental vessel that deliver inerrant Messages
Therefore þ SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE
ANCIENT MINOR MOTIFS S5
DEF: reappearing regional/local symbols, characters, etc. that add detail to major motifs
EG many ANE creation accounts begin with a dark, watery, chaotic pre-creative state
ANCIENT STORY & ALLEGORY S6
The Bible sometimes uses non-historical stories & allegories to reveal Spiritual Truths
K Jesus’ use of Parables S7
DEF: earthly stories with heavenly messages
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-36) S8
Story þ INCIDENTAL
Be Merciful þ MESSAGE OF FAITH
NB the story & characters can be updated for today, preserving the message
See “The Parable of the Good Atheist” SQ 7 & 8 S9
Book of Job S10
Could this be a God inspired story to reveal inerrant Spiritual Truths about suffering?
IF this is a historical account, (Job Chapters 1 & 2)
THEN it means that:
• Satan can just walk into God’s presence & bait him to prove a point
• God allows Satan to murder Job’s 10 children & servants
• God allows Satan to inflict Job with a debilitating disease
QUESTION: S11
Does this sound like something that God would allow?
OR
Is this a story that is used to reveal inerrant Spiritual Truths?
Garden of Eden Account in Genesis 2-3 S12
Features: • fast-talking snake (3:1-5)
• mystical tree that imparts eternal life (2:9; 3:22, 24)
• mystical tree that imparts knowledge of good & evil (2:9, 17; 3:5, 7)
• mystical creatures þ cherubim (composite creatures like Egyptian Sphinx) 3:24
• flaming sword flashing back & forth to protect the garden (3:24)
QUESTION: S13
Does this sound like a historical account about real & actual events?
OR
Is this a story or allegory intended primarily to offer Spiritual Truths?
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HISTORICIZATION S2
DEF: the transformation of a non-historical account into a historical account
IF Gen 2-3 is an story or allegory
THEN the redactor of the Book of Genesis turned Gen 2-3 into a historical account
The Redactor (or Editor) S3 H33 N 136
his intention was to write an account of the origin of: (1) universe (Cosmogony) S4
(2) humanity (Historiography)
10X he adds the subtitle: “This is the account of …” in the Book of Genesis
6X in Gen 1-11: Gen 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10, 11:27
NB Gen 2:4
“This is the account of the heavens & earth”
III. ORIGIN OF GENESIS 1-11: S5
RE-CYCLED & RE-INTERPRETED ANE MOTIFS OF ORIGINS THEORY
(1) Mesopotamians & Egyptians Conceive the Motifs of Origins S6
1st in an oral form
ancient conceptualizations of the origin of the universe, life & their community
K include some actual historical events
EG real floods & real flood survivors
(2) Mesopotamians & Egyptians Write Down their Accounts of Origins S7
roughly over a period from 3000-1500 BC/E
(3) Hebrews Appear Late in ANE & Inherit Motifs of Origins S8
1st archeological evidence for the existence of Israel 1200 BC/E
most likely in an oral form
(4) Hebrews Re-Cycle & Re-Interpret ANE Motifs of Origins S9
inspired by God, they replace pagan theology with inerrant Spiritual Truths
K they include some actual people & actual historical events remembered in oral traditions
EG some people in genealogies
(5) Hebrews Become Literate & Write Down Two Accounts of Origins S10
1st archeological evidence for literacy roughly 1200 BC/E
Jahwist (J) Account of Origins about 1000 BC/E
Priestly (P) Account of Origins about 500 BC/E
(6) Redactor Puts J & P Accounts of Origins Together to Form Genesis 1-11 S11-12 H43
probably around 500 BC/E
COMMENTS:
• Divine Inspiration of the Bible: S13
interactive process between human authors & the Holy Spirit
human authors are NOT simply passive secretaries
God allowed them to use their motifs of origins º ACCOMMODATION
• Parallel between the Two Divine Books S14
Origin of the BOOK OF GOD’S WORKS:
an ordained & sustained natural evolutionary process
Origin of BOOK OF GOD’S WORDS:
an ordained & sustained ancient literary process º literary evolution
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IV. AN EXEGESIS OF GENESIS 1-11 S2
1. Genesis 1:1-3 & the Pre-Creative State S3
Translation Debate S4 H44
• translation of the 1st two words of the Bible is uncertain!
vowel pointing (dots & dashes) in Hebrew is debated
b rç’shît e S5
be (1) in
(2) when
rç’shît beginning & first
• two possible grammatical arrangements: S6
Genesis 1:1 is a Title
1 IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface
of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. Gen 1:1-3
Genesis 1:2 is a Parenthesis S7
1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth,
2 (Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface
of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.)
3 God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. Gen 1:1-3
COMMENTS: S8
• opening scene in BOTH translations is Gen 1:2
K a dark, watery, chaotic earth is already there
• termed the “Pre-Creative State”
NO mention it was created º seems to be eternal
science-of-the-day for Mesopotamians, Egyptians & Greeks
QUESTION S9
Does this challenge Christian Doctrine of Creation-Out-of-Nothing?
K NO
Ancient Epistemology S10
creation-out-of-nothing is NOT part of ANE mind-set
Biblical Revelation is Progressive S11
idea 1 in 2 Mac 7:28 & echoed in Col 1:15-17 & Heb 11:3 st SQ 4-6
Doctrines Develop over Time S12
EG Doctrine of Trinity appeared in late 4th century AD/CE
K creation-out-of-nothing developed in 2nd century AD/CE
• verb traditionally translated to “create” S13
bârâ’ to create, form, separate, divide, split, fashion by cutting
ANE creation accounts feature creation by separation of opposites
EG heaven/earth, earth/water º Gen 1
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Etiology S2-3
What about the chaotic pre-creative state?
Answer: God is in total control of it
Minor Motif
Dark Watery Pre-Creative State
ANE creation accounts º the gods arise out of it
Author S4
P Author
he uses divine name ’Elôhîm God, gods
appears 35 times in Gen 1 (5 X 7)
K P author often uses 5s & 7s and their multiples
Origins Debate Implications S5
YOUNG EARTH CREATION
loses temporal marker from which to date earth
NO mention of when the earth was created in Gen 1 þ destroyed Lamoureux’s YEC
PROGRESSIVE CREATION
attempts to align Gen 1:1 with the Big Bang
BUT Gen 1:2 is the opening scene
water, earth & time already present º NO mention of their creation
NB by only the second verse of the Bible º Scientific Concordism FAILS
Messages of Faith S6
God is in total control of the pre-creative state (Re-Cycle & Re-Interpret)
NO hint that God arises out of it
NO hint any other gods arise out of it
NO hint God battles other gods as seen in some other ANE creation accounts S7-8 H66
2. Genesis 1: The Six Day Creation S9
Etiology S10
What caused the origin of the heavens, earth, plants, animals & humans?
Answer: God created all of them
Major Motif
De Novo Creation
quick & complete º typical of ancient accounts of origins
Minor Motif
Vegetarianism. For both humans (v. 29) and animals (v. 30)
Author
P author. Often uses a Poetic format º very structured writing style
Parallel Panels S11 H45
• built off Gen 1:2 & the two rhyming Hebrew words:
tôhu formless
bôhu empty
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• God solves the problem of the formless & empty earth S2-4 H45
1 three days he forms th st e world (creation by separation of opposites º typical in ANE)
2nd three days he fills the world
• forming & filling days are parallel to each other
Classic “Contradiction” in the Bible S5
1st Day: creation of light
4th Day: creation of the sun
IF Gen 1 is a scientific account, THEN there’s a problem
BUT
IF poetic license/freedom, THEN no problem
K P author certainly knew that light comes from the sun!
Creation Day Formula S6
highly structured & repetitious º typical of P author’s style
Introduction: God said, “ . . .”
Command: “Let it be . . .”
Completion: It was so.
Judgment: God saw it was good.
Time Reference: “There was evening & there was morning–the nth day”
Debate over the Word “Day” S7
yôm (1) 24 hour day
(2) period of time
çìåñá çmera (1) 24 hour day
(2) period of time
In the Old Testament:
when the word “day” is with a number º 24 hour day
Genesis 1:
• uses numbers º first day, second day, etc
• each day ends with: “There was evening & there was morning–the nth day”
THEREFORE:
Days of Gen 1 are 24 hour days S8-9 H 67- 68
Origins Debate Implication S10
PROGRESSIVE CREATION (Day-Age Theory)
The days of Gen 1 are NOT 100s of millions of years long
K Scientific Concordism FAILS
Messages of Faith S11
• There is only one God who is the Creator of the universe & life
• Polemic against astral religion º sun, moon & stars are NOT gods
• Affirms the Sabbath Commandment (4th Commandment º Day of Rest)
• God created humanity in the Image of God S12
Term “Image of God” was used in ANE for kings
kings were believed to be the representatives of the gods on earth
In Gen 1 the term is TRANSFORMED (MORPHED) (Re-Cycle & Re-Interpret)
ALL humans are God’s “kings” & representatives on earth
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3. Genesis 2: The Creation of Adam & Eve S2
Traditional interpretation: Gen 2 offers details of the events on the 6th day in Gen 1
Adam & Eve are REAL HISTORICAL PEOPLE
K most Christians accept Historical Concordism
Etiology S3
Where do humans come from?
Answer: God created them
Major Motif
De Novo Creation
Adam & Eve are created quick & complete º typical of ancient accounts of origins
Author S4
J author º uses free flowing narrative & word play (NOTE: Gen 2-4 is one literary unit)
’âdâm man, human, humankind & personal name “Adam”
’ãdâmâh earth, ground, land º 1st ’âdâm was made from ’ãdâmâh
earthling
Creation Order Conflicts Between Genesis 1 & 2 S5
Genesis 1 (P) Genesis 2 (J)
vegetation (fruit to eat) 3rd Day man v. 7
birds 5th Day vegetation (fruit to eat) v. 8-9
land animals 6th Day land animals & birds v. 19
man & woman 6th Day woman v. 22
Stylistic Differences Between Genesis 1 & 2 S6-7
Genesis 1 (P) Genesis 2 (J)
Literary Style Poetic
Structured & Repetitive
Narrative
Free-Flowing
Scene Setting Cosmic Rural (No Sea)
Divine Name
Hebrew
God
’Elôhîm
Lord God
Yahweh ’Elôhîm
Creative Action Verbal Commands Hands-On
Divine Being Transcendent &
Heavenly
Immanent &
Earthly
Relationship to
Humans
Regal Personal
Food Commands Without a Prohibition
Focus on Sustenance
With a Prohibition
Focus on Obedience
EVIDENCE of two original sources: (1) Priestly source (500 BC/E) º Gen 1 S8
(2) Jahwist source (1000 BC/E) º Gen 2
Juxtaposition of two different, yet complementary creation accounts S9
results in the revelation that God is BOTH: Transcendent (Gen 1) & Immanent (Gen 2)
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Origins Debate Implication S2
Creation event conflicts between Gen 1 & Gen 2 indicate some events definitely:
DID NOT HAPPEN
K Scientific Concordism FAILS
Messages of Faith S3
• God created humanity to be relational with him
ANE: humans are inconsequential & slaves of the gods (Re-Cycle & Re-Interpret)
• God created humanity to be relational among themselves º Marriage
• God set limits on human freedom
• Humans are accountable to God
Excursus: Story, Allegory & Historicization S4
To repeat: S5
Garden of Eden Account in Genesis 2-3
Features: • fast-talking snake (3:1-5)
• mystical tree that imparts eternal life (2:9; 3:22, 24)
• mystical tree that imparts knowledge of good & evil (2:9, 17; 3:5, 7)
• mystical creatures þ cherubim (composite creatures like Egyptian Sphinx) 3:24
• flaming sword flashing back & forth to protect the garden (3:24)
Now add Story/Allegorical type names:
• a man named “earthling”
• a woman named “life” or “mother of life”
J Author
he is using Story/Allegory & Archetypes S6
Archetype Greek arché: first, beginning tupos: type, model, example
DEF: an original type or model from which similar things/beings are patterned
EG Adam & Eve are the archetypally human sinners
K Adam & Eve are YOU & ME
BUT REMEMBER: S7
J author is also casting the Story & Archetypes within the framework of:
Ancient Cosmogony & Ancient Historiography
EG de novo creation of a 1st man & a 1st woman
The Redactor S8
his intention in Gen 1-11 is to offer an account of real events in the origin of the world & people
K he is writing a: Cosmogony of the world
Historiography of humanity & the Hebrews
he takes the Story/Allegory & Archetypes in Gen 2-3 (J) and HISTORICIZES them
MY SPECULATION:
he probably did so unintentionally
like most people today & thru history þ he read Gen 2-3 as an account of real events
BUT REMEMBER: S9 H42
Redactor’s Ancient Cosmogony & Ancient Historiography þ INCIDENTAL
Redactor keeps J author’s spiritual truths þ MESSAGES OF FAITH
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4. Genesis 3: The Fall S2
Adam & Eve eat the forbidden fruit & as a consequence sin enters the world
(1) Humans Sin S3
termed the ‘Fall of Humanity’
accepted as HISTORICAL by most Christians
(2) God Judges Humans for Sin º Suffering & Death Enter the World S4
termed the ‘Cosmic Fall’
accepted as HISTORICAL by most Christians
PHYSICAL CHANGES IN NATURE:
• snake loses its legs
• birth pain increases for women
• ground is cursed º thorns & thistles appear º human work becomes painful
• physical death
Etiology S5
Where does sin come from?
Answer: Adam & Eve
Where do suffering & death come from?
Answer: God’s judgment of Adam & Eve
Major Motif S6
Lost Idyllic Age
a something-went-terribly-wrong-in-the-world account
a disruption of an original harmony in the world
the continuing effects of this past event into the present
Author
J author º Gen 2-4 is one literary unit
Origins Debate Implications S7
YOUNG EARTH CREATION
claims that the Cosmic Fall is historical
this claim can be tested scientifically:
Prediction
IF true,
THEN suffering & death should appear AFTER humans in fossil record
Evidence S8 H52
suffering & death are on earth 100s of millions of years BEFORE humans
Conclusion
Cosmic Fall is NOT HISTORICAL
PROGRESSIVE CREATION S9
claims that Gen 3 refers to the spiritual death of humans
BUT God’s judgment deals with physical death:
“For dust you are and to dust you will return” Gen 3:19
Messages of Faith S10
• Humanity’s greatest problem:
SIN against God º NOT obeying his Commands
• Sin has consequences
• God judges sin
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Genesis 1 Episode 170
Excursus: Genesis 3 & Theodicy S2
Theodicy
DEF: arguments justifying the existence of suffering & evil in a world created by all-loving,
all-powerful, and all-knowing God
QUESTIONS: S3
• Is Gen 3 the FIRST STAGE of biblical revelation on the topic of theodicy, cast in ANE motifs?
Attempts to Answer:
why do we suffer?
why do we die?
Answer at this Stage:
1 st man & 1st woman sinned & God judged them º God launches Cosmic Fall
• Does the Bible have Stages of Revelation? YES S4
Old Testament º New Testament
animal sacrifice º sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
IMPLICATION: S5
more revelation on theodicy to come in the Bible after Gen 3
K Does Jesus offer the Final Stage of biblical revelation on the topic of theodicy? more anon
5. Genesis 4: 1 Family, 1 Murder & 1 Genealogy st st st S6
(Non-Hebrews BEFORE the Flood)
Adam & Eve give birth to Cain & Abel S7
• Cain murders Abel
over a sacrifice to God º theological jealousy!
• Cain marries S8
Classic Problem in the Bible:
Where did he get his wife?
Answer: Cain married a sister
Eve was named “Eve” because “she was the mother of ALL the living” Gen 3:20
Therefore, the children of Adam & Eve married each other
Why is this not mentioned in Scripture? S9
Answer: incest is strictly forbidden in the Old Testament (Lev 18:6-17) SQ 9
K J author doesn’t want to set up an incestuous Archetype
Etiology S10
Where do the Non-Hebrews come from before the Flood?
Answer: the murderous line of Cain
K spiritual & political polemic!
Major Motif
Tribal Formation
origin of a people or nation from a single founding male individual º Cain
ADAM-TO-CAIN GENEALOGY (NON-HEBREWS) S11 H45
embedded in a free-flowing narrative, BUT highly structured & stylised with 7, 10 & 14 (7 X 2)
vicious murderer Lamech º 7th person from Adam
perfect number 7 used to emphasize the perfectly evil person
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Author S2
J author º uses free flowing narrative (Gen 2-4 is one literary unit)
Origins Debate Implications S3
ORIGIN OF CULTURAL ADVANCES S4 H45
APPEAR in ONE generation & in ONE family
animal domestication (v. 20)
harps & flutes (v. 21)
bronze & iron tools (v. 22)
BUT ARCHEOLOGICAL RECORD: S5
flutes 30,000 BC/E
animal domestication 9000
bronze after 3200
harps 3000
iron after 1200
Conclusion:
Gen 4 is NOT historical
origin of cultural advances reflects ancient de novo type thinking º quick & complete
TEMPORAL REFERENT S6
DEF: reference to something/one in an undated text that marks a time period
EG an undated letter referring to a laptop computer º date of letter after 1985
Gen 4:22 “Tubal-Cain forged all kinds of tools out of bronze & IRON”
Iron Age begins 1200 BC/E
K J author of Gen 4 lived AFTER 1200 BC/E
Messages of Faith S7
• Humanity’s 2nd greatest problem:
SIN against humans
• J author echoes the two parts of the Ten Commandments: Gen 3: sin against God (Cs #1-4)
Gen 4: sin against humans (Cs #5-10)
Excursus: Origin of the 1 Genealogies st S8
Two Basic Components:
(1) RETROJECTION & DE NOVO CREATION S9
• ancient people OBSERVED that humans were immutable (they did not change):
a human gives birth to a human, who gives birth to a human, who … etc
• they RETROJECTED this observation backward thru time to the creation of the world: S10
a human today descends from an older human, who comes from an even older human, … etc
• they reasonably CONCLUDED: S11
there must have been a 1st human/s who God/s created de novo (Quick & Complete)
(2) GENEALOGIES IN ORAL TRADITION Notes 47 S12
ancient oral communities remembered important people in their oral tradition
K these genealogies include some real people
BUT human memory limits these genealogies to only about 5-10 generations
Gen 4 & 5 are short º reflecting their origin from oral tradition genealogies
The 1 Genealogies are a Combination of: st S13
(1) individuals who are a product of retrojection (like the 1st human) and who did not exist
(2) some real people from the community who did exist
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6. Genesis 5: Genealogy of the Hebrews BEFORE the Flood S2
Etiology S3
Where do we [the Hebrews] come from?
Answer: the Chosen Line of Seth
Major Motif
Tribal Formation
origin of a people/nation from a single founding male individual º Seth
Minor Motif
Increased longevity BEFORE the Great Flood (Sumerian King Lists, Handouts 11 & 46)
average age of individuals in Gen 5: 912 yrs
Author S4
P author
he often uses a Poetic format º very structured writing style
Symmetrical 10 Individuals
same as Gen 11 (also by P author)
Repetitive Formula
X lived A years and fathered Z
X lived B more years & had other sons & daughters
X lived a total of C years [A + B]
X DIED
Stylistic Numbers S5 H46
15/20 multiples of 5
subtract 7 from non-multiples of 5 º results in multiple of 5
Why 5?
MY speculation: to emphasize the Hebrews are people of the 5 Books (Pentateuch)
Origins Debate Implication S6
YOUNG EARTH CREATION
ages/periods in genealogy are stylistic numbers & NOT real temporal numbers
Therefore:
can’t be added up to date the age of the earth
Messages of Faith S7
• God created the Hebrews
• The Hebrews are special º God’s chosen people
7. Genesis 6-9: Noah’s Flood S8
Etiology S9
What caused the great flood?
Answer: God’s judgment for all the sin in the world
ANE Etiology of great flood:
divine judgment º the gods couldn’t sleep because humans were too noisy!
Major Motif
Great Flood
destruction of life and the survival of a few humans and some animals in a boat
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Genesis 2 Episode 173
Two Authors S2
P & J authors. Redactor intertwines P & J flood accounts
Poetic Structure of P Flood: S3 H47
Chiasm
common ANE literary device featuring mirror images of topics
focuses readers to the centre & main message º Gen 8:1 “God remembers Noah”
stylistic numbers S4 H47
P author often uses 5s & 7s
word “God” (’Elôhîm) is used 15 times (3 X 5) in P flood
7X before chiastic centre & 7X after it
150 day periods to increase & decrease the flood waters (3 X 50)
Origins Debate Implications S5
YOUNG EARTH CREATION
claims Noah’s flood was global
BUT Geology & Archeology º NO evidence for a global flood
Noah’s Global Flood never happened
PROGRESSIVE CREATION S6
claims Noah’s flood was local
BUT Biblical Flood (Gen 6-9) º flood covered Ararat Mts (16,000 ft) Gen 8:4
According to the Bible, Noah’s Flood was not local
RECYCLED & REINTERPRETED FLOOD MOTIF THEORY S7
claims real Mesopotamian flood/s & flood hero/s were MORPHED into biblical flood & Noah
Noah’s flood never happened & Noah never existed
Messages of Faith S8
• Humans are sinners
• Sin has consequences
• God judges sin
• God remembers the righteous person & saves them from his judgement
8. Genesis 10: The Table of Nations S9
After the worldwide flood of Noah, the world was repopulated thru his 3 sons
ALL the nations are ANE nations S10 H47
K Ancient Phenomenological Perspective of the origin of nations
Etiology S11
• Where do all the nations come from?
Answer: they descend from Noah’s 3 sons º Japheth, Ham & Shem
“from them [3 sons] came the people who were scattered over all of the earth” Gen 9:19
• Where does our Hebrew community come from?
Answer: we descend from God’s chosen descendants of Shem
• Where do our enemies come from? S12
Answer: they descend from that sexual pervert Ham
Ham “saw Noah’s nakedness” Gen 9:20-27
euphemism for having sex with his mother! (see Lev 18:7-8)
K Spiritual & Political Polemic
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Genesis 2 Episode 174
Major Motif S2
Tribal Formation
origin of a people or nation from a single founding male individual º Noah
Two Authors S3 H48
P & J authors. Redactor intertwines P & J post-flood table of nations accounts
P TABLE OF NATIONS S4 H48
• very structured & uses very few words
like P author’s Gen 5 & 11 genealogies
• repetitive formula º like P’s Gen 1 creation account and his Gen 5 & 11 genealogies
A Son of Noah
Their Sons
Their Grandsons
Summary & reference to DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
WHY?
P author does not have a Tower of Babel account & confusion of languages
• stylistic numbers S5 H48
P author often uses 5s & 7s
15 (Japtheth & descendants) + 10 (Ham & desc.) + 10 (Shem & desc.) = 35 (5 X 7)
J TABLE OF NATIONS S6 H49
• wordy & free-flowing with little structure
Canaan & 11 sons º foreshadows the 12 tribes of Israel
• NO reference to DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
WHY?
J author has a Tower of Babel account & confusion of languages
Origins Debate Implications S7
NO evidence ancient civilizations were wiped out by a flood & repopulated afterward
NO evidence that ALL the nations of the world descend from Noah’s 3 sons around 2500 BC/E
archeology reveals civilizations living continuously throughout the world:
Mesopotamia from 5000 BC/E
Egypt 5000
India 3000
TEMPORAL REFERENTS S8
appearance in archeological record:
Hebrews (v. 22-25) 1200 BC/E
Philistines (v. 14) 1200
Calah “a great city” (v. 12) 1200
Meshech (v. 2) 1100
Tiras (v. 2) 1000
Sheba & Dedan (v. 7) 1000
J & P authors lived AFTER 1000 BC/E
EG reference to Canada in an undated document
would indicate the document was written AFTER 1867
Messages of Faith S9
• Unity of humanity
we are all part of one family
• Uniqueness of the Hebrews
God chose the Hebrews to be his people
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9. Genesis 11:1-9. The Tower of Babel S2
Humans build a tower in an attempt to reach heaven º they want to be divine S3
K only makes sense in a 3-tier universe with heaven just above our head
Gen 11:1, 9: “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech … the Lord
confused the language of the whole world.” º construction of tower stopped
Etiology S4
Where do all the languages come from?
Answer: God confused an original language
Minor Motif
Sumerians (S. Mesopotamia) had a confusion of language account (Re-Cycle & Re-Interpret)
Author
J author. NOTE: J Table of Nations made no mention of DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Origins Debate Implication S5
God confuses an original language in many languages at one point in time
ARCHEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL RECORDS
ANE languages evolved over a long period of time
BUT into Semitic Cognates (related languages)? S6 H50
Why confuse an original language to look like languages had evolved?
K appearance of different languages at one point in time º NOT historical
Messages of Faith S7
• Humans can’t make themselves divine
• God judges such arrogance as sinful
10. Genesis 11:10-32. Genealogy of the Hebrews AFTER the Flood S8
Etiology S9
Where does our Hebrew community come from?
Answer: after the flood we descended from God’s chosen descendants of Shem
Major Motif
Tribal Formation
origin of a people or nation from a single founding male individual º Shem
Minor Motif
Decrease in longevity AFTER the Great Flood
from 912 yrs (average in Gen 5) to 333 yrs S10-11 H46
Echoes the Sumerian Kings Lists AFTER the flood S12-13 H46
from 31,150 yrs (average Before Flood) to 530 yrs
Author S14
P author. Often uses a Poetic format & stylistic 5s & 7s
Symmetrical 10 Individuals
same as Gen 5 (also by P author)
Repetitive Formula
X lived A years and fathered Z
X lived B more years & had other sons & daughters
Stylistic Numbers S15 H46
12/20 multiples of 5 (15/20 in Gen 5) º emphasize the Hebrews accept 5 Books (Pentateuch)
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Origins Debate Implication S2
ages/periods are stylistic numbers & NOT real temporal numbers
Therefore
can’t be added up and used to date the age of the earth
TEMPORAL REFERENT S3
Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen 11:28, 31)
Ur not called “of the Chaldeans” until 1000 BC/E
K P author lived AFTER 1000 BC/E
Messages of Faith S4
• Hebrews are special º God’s chosen people
• Through Abraham º Hebrews will bless the ENTIRE world (Gen 12:2-3)
11. Genealogical Framework of the Hebrews S5
based on Gen 5 & 11 genealogies & includes Isaac from Gen 21
P author uses Poetic format & stylistic numbers 5s & 7s for important people
SEVENS: S6 H50
Enoch (godly man & did not die) #7 (7 X 1)
Eber (root of word “Hebrew”) #14 (7 X 2)
Isaac (son promised by God) #21 (7 X 3)
FIVES: S7 H50
Noah #10 (5 X 2)
Abraham #20 (5 X 4)
Total Number: 25 (5 X 5) º to emphasize Hebrews accept 5 Books (Pentateuch)
Origins Debate Implications S8
real genealogies DO NOT unfold in such a symmetrical way
Gen 11 genealogy is at the Gen 11-12 Beginning of REAL History “Boundary”
IF Abraham is historical (Conservative Position)
THEN some people in the Gen 11 genealogy are probably historical
V. CONCLUSION: WHAT IS THE LITERARY GENRE OF GENESIS 1-11? S9
ANSWER: S10
Genesis 1-11 is the Ancient Account of Origins of the Hebrews [Incidental],
inspired by the Holy Spirit & revealing inerrant Spiritual Truths [Messages of Faith]
INCIDENTAL FEATURES S11
Ancient
ancient cosmogony º science-of-the-day
ancient historiography º history-of-the-day & historicization of story/allegory
ancient story/allegory º fast-talking snake, mystical trees, cherubim
ancient motifs: (1) De Novo Creation (2) Lost Idyllic Age (3) Tribal Formation (4) Great Flood
ancient poetry º parallel panels, chiasm, genealogical frameworks
ancient stylistic numbers º 5s & 7s and their multiples
ancient methods of redaction º J & P sources S12
ancient oral traditions º limited by memory & expect some incompleteness
ancient epistemology º “pre-logical” mentality & expect some contradictions
ancient notion of causality º divine de novo action (quick & complete)
ancient phenomenological perspective º perfectly logical considering the level of knowledge
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Account S2
etiology º offer causes & reasons for origins
explains & justifies the existence of the heavens, earth, living organisms, humans & Hebrews
of Origins S3
origin of universe & life
origin of humans
origin of suffering & death
origin of Hebrews
origin of other tribes & nations
origin of enemies of the Hebrews º Babylonians, Egyptians, Canaanites
origin of languages
origin of sin º BIG problem of ALL humans º MAJOR THEME
of the Hebrews S4
after roughly 1000 BC/E º temporal referents in Gen 1-11
MESSAGES OF FAITH S5
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
• Foundations of Christian Faith
Gen 1-11 sets the theological base for the rest of the Bible
• Accommodated to the level of Ancient People
uses re-cycled ANE motifs of origins as a vessel & re-interprets with spiritual truths
• Sufficiency of Genesis 1-11
reveals who God is & who we are
• Proficiency of Readers
everyone in every generation is capable of understanding the spiritual truths
Revealing Inerrant Spiritual Truths S6
(1) God created the universe & life (Gen 1 & 2)
(2) the creation is very good (Gen 1)
(3) God created humans in the Image of God (Gen 1)
(4) humans are sinful (Gen 3, 4, 6-9, 10, 11) º MAJOR THEME
(5) God judges humans for their sinfulness (Gen 3, 4, 6-9, 10, 11) º MAJOR THEME
(6) God chose Israel to bless the entire world (Gen 12)
THE BOTTOM LINE: S7
• Gen 1-11 includes poetic, allegorical, & stylistic “dressing up” of the ancient accounts of origins
BUT
Authorial Intentionality of P author, J author, and especially the Redactor
was to write a: (1) Cosmogony &
(2) Historiography
• Gen 1-11 DOES NOT align with the facts of science or the facts of history S8
at best: real local flood event/s with Mesopotamians
some real Hebrew ancestors in the genealogies
SUGGESTION º SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE S9 H42
separate the incidental Ancient Cosmogony & Ancient Historiography in Gen 1-11
from the inerrant Spiritual Truths
EG Pope John Paul II (Roman Catholic) & JI Packer (Evangelical Protestant) SQ 10-12 S10
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MODERN ORIGINS DEBATE S2
I. KEY THOUGHTS S3
1. Anti-evolutionism is alive & well in the United States & Canada S4
GALLUP POLL (1982-2014) conducted 12X
43-47% of Americans accept:
“God created man pretty much in his present form at one time within the last 10,000 years”
ANGUS REID POLL (2012) S5
39% of Canadians reject or are uncertain that:
“Human beings evolved from less advanced forms over millions of years”
ANGUS REID POLL (2007) S6
42% of Canadians accept “dinosaurs & humans co-existed”
21% not sure
2. Factors Contributing to Anti-Evolutionism: S7
• Problem with Public Education
rarely deals with evolutionary biology or the hermeneutics of Gen 1-11
• American Fundamentalist & Evangelical Protestant Tradition S8
Concordist Hermeneutics
ABC PRIME TIME POLL (2004) S9
87% of US evangelicals believe 6 Day Creation (Gen 1) & Global Flood of Noah (Gen 6-9)
are “literally true, meaning it happened that way word-for-word”
Aggressive & Politically Powerful S10
long history of attempting to put anti-evolutionism in public schools
3. Anti-Evolutionism fuels the Origins Dichotomy S11
most people believe that there really is an Evolution vs. Creation Debate
II. CATEGORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE & LIFE S12
THE CHART: S13 H51
• 5 basic origins positions
• 14 categories on left margin S14-15 H51
• Christian bias º but applicable to other religions S16 H51
• Choose & Combine different categories º you create a new position! S17 H51
• could add Agnostics:
Religious Agnostics º uncertain about the existence of God
Scientific Agnostics º uncertain about evolution
THE KEY CATEGORICAL CONCEPT S18 H51
SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE:
(1) God’s Activity in the Origins of the Universe & Life
cosmological divine action in origins
FROM
(2) God’s Activity in the Lives of Men & Women
personal divine action in relationships
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1. Young Earth Creation S2-6 H51
common understanding of the “creationist” position
Scientific Issues S7
• conflicts with every evolutionary science:
cosmological evolution, geological evolution & biological evolution
PEW RESEARCH CENTER (2009)
97% of US scientists accept: “humans and other living things have evolved over time”
QUESTION
are 97% of scientists wrong?
YEC Henry Morris claims they are “blinded by Satan” SQ1
is that reasonable?
• YEC Fossil Pattern Prediction S8 H52
bones of every living organism should be at the bottom of the fossil record
EG humans & dinosaurs should be together see Episode 131 & S12-16
BUT S9 H52
K fossil record does not align with YEC prediction
shows an evolutionary sequence: fish º amphibians º reptiles º mammals
Hermeneutical Issues S10
• accepts strict & literal scientific concordism & historical concordism in Gen 1-11
BUT to be consistent concordists, YECists need to accept a 3-tier universe
BUT
scientific concordism throughout the entire Bible º FAILS S11 H53
scientific concordism & historical concordism in Gen 1-11 º FAILS S12 H53
2. Progressive Creation (Day-Age Theory) S13-17 H51
view of origins often held today by university educated Christians
Scientific Issues S18
• creates a dichotomy between: (1) cosmological & geological evolution (accepted by PC)
(2) biological evolution (rejected by PC)
BUT
97% of US scientists accept biological evolution and cosmological & geological evolution
K they would reject this false dichotomy
• PC Fossil Pattern Prediction S19 H52
claims the order of fossils aligns with the order plants & animals are created in Gen 1
BUT S20
K fossil record does not align with PC prediction
EG Gen 1: birds are created on 5th Day/Age BEFORE land animals on 6th Day/Age
Fossil Record: land animals appeared 200 million yrs BEFORE birds
Hermeneutical Issues S21
• accepts that the days in Gen 1 are periods that are millions of years long
BUT
in the Old Testament when the word “day” is with a number º 24 hr period
Gen 1 uses numbers: first day, second day, etc
each day ends with: “There was evening & there was morning–the nth day”
THEREFORE:
days of Gen 1 are 24 hr days
EG: PC Chart of Geologist Don Daae S22 H54
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3. Evolutionary Creation S2-6 H51
minority view of origins in conservative Christianity
Greatest Issue S7
• conflicts with 2000 yrs of Christian tradition
most Christians throughout history have been anti-evolutionists & concordists in Gen 1-11
Hermeneutical Solution S8 H42
• accept Message-Incident Principle
cosmogony & historiography in Gen 1-11 is ancient º INCIDENTAL
• reject scientific & historical concordism in Gen 1-11 S9 H52
The Bible is not a book of science
K cannot be used to make fossil pattern predictions
Embryology-Evolution Analogy S10
EC believes BOTH are teleological natural processes
information is loaded at conception (DNA) for a person to develop
information is loaded at the Big Bang (fine-tuning of physical constants) for the world to evolve
EC believes BOTH feature cosmological providentialism S11
divine action is through Ordained & Sustained natural processes
EC believes BOTH reflect Intelligent Design S12
self-assembly of humans in the womb
“You [God] knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Ps 139:13-14
self-assembly of the universe & life
EC believes BOTH feature manifestation of Spiritual Realities S13
during human embryology º Image of God & human sin appear in everyone
during human evolution º Image of God & human sin enter the world more anon
Key Categorical Concept S14 H51
direct challenge to the Origins Dichotomy
SEPARATE DON’T CONFLATE:
God’s activity in origins FROM God’s activity in lives of men & women
4. Deistic Evolution S15-19 H51
deism also called “God without Religion”
Comments S20
• Why would an impersonal God create such personal & relational creatures like humans, and not
have a relationship with them?
K deism provides a God with no accountability to him/her/it
BUT are humans accountable to Someone/Something greater than themselves?
• Deism is intellectually titillating for intellectuals S21
BUT fails to meet spiritual needs of most people & transform lives
EG deism did not give birth to any church, school, hospital, etc
• Deism is in effect Practical Atheism S22
No Lordship & No Worship of the deistic God
Ethics = Humanism
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5. Dysteleological Evolution S2-6 H51
common understanding of the “evolutionist” position
Comments S7
• Mass Delusion Problem?
are most people delusional because they believe in God?
EG 90% of Americans believe in “God or a universal spirit” Notes 30
40% of US scientists believe God answers prayer N3
• Epistemological Problem? S8
can we trust our brain regarding metaphysical topics if it has evolved thru nothing but 4Fs?
EG Plantinga’s 4 Fs Brain Argument N14-16
Darwin’s Epistemological Dilemma & “Horrid Doubt” N156
K self-referential incoherence
• Personal & Practical Problem? S9
who can say to someone they love:
“I love you, but in reality I believe that love is nothing but a herd response”?
• Personal Problem with 1 Commandment? S10 st
nothing but a personal preference?
Summary of Chart S11
4 “creationist” positions (YEC, PC, EC, DeE) S12 H51
3 “evolutionist” positions (EC, DeE, DysE)
2 positions that are BOTH “creationist” & “evolutionist” (EC, DeE)
THEREFORE: The Origins Dichotomy is a FALSE DICHOTOMY
Other Features: S13 H51
5% of US & Canada dysteleological
2 positions accept God created life through evolution (EC, DeE)
2 positions reject biological evolution (YEC, PC) º CONCORDISM in Gen 1-11
3 positions accept Conservative Christianity (YEC, PC, EC) S14 H51
Accept:
• teleology
• intelligent design
• God created the universe & life
• personal God & divine action (dramatic & subtle)
• Bible is Word of God inspired by Holy Spirit
• Spiritual Correspondence º inerrant Spiritual Truths
• humans created in Image of God & humans are sinful
• Incarnation & Physical Resurrection of Jesus
• Biblical ethics
Suggestion: S15 H51
let origins be a difference between Christians & NOT a reason for a division between Christians
Supplement: Lamoureux’s Personal Story of Coming to Terms with Evolution S16
Audio-Slide Episode
with diary entries Handouts 55-57
Book chapter from Evolutionary Creation: A Christian Approach to Evolution (2008)
online: www.ualberta.ca/~dlamoure/p_story.pdf
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