Essay on The Holy Bible - The Authorship of Genesis
explanatory Essay
981 words
The Authorship of Genesis
Is the book of Genesis real or fiction? This is an age-old question. There are many thousands of Christians, who believe that Genesis is the absolute word of God. Many of these people believe that Moses wrote the book of Genesis, and believe that God himself told him what to write. Those who believe Moses wrote it really believe that God created the heaven and earth as well as all living things including man.
Then there are those who believe Genesis is nothing more than fiction. They do not believe that Moses or anyone else wrote Genesis. They do not believe that God created the heaven or earth. They believe we evolved from either fish or monkeys. They believe Genesis is nothing more than a fairytale written a long time ago. That is why when we look at the age-old question about the authorship of Genesis. We most look at three very important perspectives about, which may or may not have written Genesis. The first perspective we will look at is the belief that Moses is the author of Genesis. The second perspective we will look at, is the belief that Moses and many other authors wrote the book of Genesis. The third perspective is that Moses didn’t write Genesis at all, many historians and theologians believe that different writers contributed to the writings of Genesis.
When looking at that perspective that Moses was the sole author of Genesis. We must understand that this belief is deeply held by many conservative scholars and most of the Christian world. Those who believe that Moses was the author of Genesis, believe there are three ways which Moses transmitted Genesis. The first method was by direct revelation from God. Those who believe this believe that God spoke and told Moses what to write. These people believe that, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of god," (II Timothy 3:16). They also believe the Bible is infallible word of God and cannot lie, so when Jesus Christ himself stated, " And at the beginning Moses and all prophets he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in all the psalms concerning me" (Luke 24:27,44).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thousands of christians believe that genesis is the absolute word of god. many believe moses wrote the book of genesis, and believe god himself told him what to write.
- Explains that the age-old question about ship of genesis is based on three perspectives.
- Explains that many conservative scholars and most of the christian world believe that moses was the sole author of genesis.
- Explains that oral tradition and stories write down the second way, in which they believe moses transmitted the book of genesis, on tablets of stone. they believe that moses was guided by the holy sprit when he wrote genesis.
- Explains that although moses wrote some of the book of genesis, he did not all of it. many believe that toke writings were handed down from father to son via the line of patriarchs listed in genesis.
- Explains that the "j, e, d, p hypothesis" is the earliest discernable tradition in the pentateuch.
- Explains that they have given three different perspectives on ship of genesis.
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- authors who wrote first five books of the Bibleexplanatory essayOne more thing that proves that Moses is not the author of first five books of the Bible is that in Num.12:3 it is said that Moses is a very humble man. So, if he is humble, he could not write these words about himself, it has sense if it is written by E author.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the documentary hypothesis that there were several authors who wrote first five books of the bible. they will discuss j, p, and e - authors of genesis, exodus and numbers.
- Opines that documentary hypothesis is useful because it answers many questions. how can we imagine that god who loved the world gave his one and only son could give commandments?
- Explains that was identified as j for using the word yahweh or jehovah for the name of god.
- Explains that p author protects priests' rights in the bible. he wrote two stories about creation of the earth and one of them was written by p.
- Explains that p and j's passages are parallel while in e, there are stories that differ from these two authors. p is levite priest descendant of aaron, so aaron is as important as moses.
- Explains that e author uses word elohim for the name of god in his passages.
1757 wordsRead More - The Bible: The Origin Of Humans In The Bibleanalytical essayAfter wisdom is turned on, a lot of people start thinking about human origins. Many great people have tried to explain the origin of human, they also proposed a variety of unusual ideas and explains, but most people are not accepted their idea. However, the first part of the Bible have a good explanation of the origin of human. There are two different theory about the origins of humanity in the Bible. God according to his own image to create a human, designed to allow humans to communicate with him, to respond to his love, and to serve as managing the affairs responsibilities.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the bible has a good explanation of the origin of human.
- Explains that the bible's first story is called "six days of creation and the sabbath". s use the jews known to god (called elohim) and mention that god made man first, then animals, and finally man and women.
- Explains that of the first original creation story is likely to come from people living near the sea, who are convinced that gods can control everything and live in heaven among the tall.
- Explains that god creates human beings according to his attributes and image. if humans violate his will, they will lead a life of emptiness and failure.
- Analyzes the purpose of creationism, which is to allow people to obey the will of god.
- Explains that everything god created is good, and all evil is due to the people. people must be responsible for the evil, because it is people themselves choosing crime.
- Analyzes how the first chapter of genesis solved a lot of problems to people. it eliminated the cosmic gods, and the deification of nature.
608 wordsRead More - The Genesis Creation: Creation As A Creation Storyexplanatory essayThe Genesis creation narrative is diverse. Many religions have its Theory of the creation and for some, it is still a myth. However, Genesis introduces the God or Elohim in the Hebrew as the creator of the world, humans, and nature. The tree chapter mainly focuses on how God has created the heavens, earth, animals, and humankind.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that eve is created from adam’s left side of the body, but the book calls it a creation from dust.
- Explains that the fall of man is the start of the transition of adam and eve from a summary
- Explains that genesis introduces the god or elohim in the hebrew as the creator of the world, humans, and nature.
- Analyzes how the three chapters of genesis clearly talk about a week or seven days, but the length of the days are not explained or compared.
- Explains that creatio ex nihilo or the notion that god created everything is one of the most controversial philosophies of all time. some scholars and theologians argue that the act of creation involved pre-existent matter.
- Explains that dust tells us that man is mad of dust, women or eve is made out of man or adam, but when it comes to the day, night, globe it doesn't mention any pre-existent or substance.
- Explains that genesis supports the idea of divine creation out of nothing and tells us that god ordered and created everything. adam and eve were forbidden to eat fruit from the tree of life and the knowledge of good and evil.
- Explains that eve and adam were living in the garden of eden with god, but they have abounded because of their guilt. some religious scholars argue that sin is passed to us as the decedents and children of adam and eve.
- Explains that the controversial interpretation of "he (your husband/adam) shall rule over you" is also a consequence of disobeying god's order.
883 wordsRead More - Many non-Christian scholars believe that the accounts of Genesis are borrowed from Babylonian material. Hill and Walton suggest that “comparative studies demand that we examine both the similarities and the differences” between the writings of Genesis and ancient Near Eastern literature (HW 80). We need to keep in mind that the author of Genesis is never confirmed, but is believed to have been Moses or someone after him. With this in mind the book of Genesis is being written many years after creation began. We also need to remember that God “chose to use human authors to write the Bible leading us to expect some similarities to other literature of the same time period” (HW
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the genesis narrative is set apart from the other ancient near eastern creation/flood stories because the narrative comes from monotheism.
- Argues that comparative studies demand that we examine both similarities and differences between the writings of genesis and ancient near eastern literature.
399 wordsRead More - Theogony: The Creation Of The Greek Poet Hesiodanalytical essayThe Greek poet Hesiod wrote the poem Theogony circa 700 B.C., which depicted a theory to the earth’s conception. It portrays three generations of gods and how the Olympians came out victorious from the war against the Titans with Zeus as their leader. This founded the main belief system for the Ancient Greeks and was publicized through word of mouth. This polytheistic understanding to creation differs from that of the Old Testament. To this day, it is still unknown who authored Genesis, the first book of the Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible, but it was likely written by more than one person, particularly three writers: Jehovist or Yahwist, Elohist, and Priestly, also known as the “Authors of Genesis.” In this interpretation, there was a
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the greek poet hesiod wrote the poem theogony circa 700 b.c., which depicted a theory to the earth’s conception. the polytheistic understanding to creation differs from that of the old testament.
- Analyzes how god's depiction in the old testament is not as illustrative of that of the greek gods. hesiod often wrote about the actions zeus took and why those decisions occurred.
- Analyzes how mythology views zeus and god as almighty and supreme beings. however, their relations to humankind contrast from one another.
- Explains that both gods served a purpose to humankind at one point or another. their individual existences reflect on different times of human society, allowing us examine how myth applies to present-day life.
729 wordsRead More - Biblical View of Creationanalytical essayDavis refuted this theory based on several factors. First, no other Ancient Near Eastern religious document is known to have compiled in this way. Isolating sources based on divine names is an extremely insubstantial practice. Davis points out that the author of Genesis might well have chosen certain divine names over others at certain points because of theological emphasis, rather than due to source documents. Second, it is irrational to argue the Document Theory based on differences on style. As Davis notes...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the documentary theory fails to adequately explain the origin of the pentateuch.
- Analyzes how spinoza questioned mosaic authorship of the pentateuch and developed what is known as "higher criticism." astruc singled out two sources, one which preferred the divine name "elohim"
- Argues that davis refuted this theory based on several factors, including the fact that no other ancient near eastern religious document is known to have compiled in this way.
- Explains that the new and old testaments ascribe authorship to moses. moses wrote down everything the lord had said in exodus 17:14.
- Analyzes how the detailed information provided in the pentateuch indicates that must have been familiar with the desert, and probably writing while there.
- Explains that jesus affirms mosaic authorship of the pentateuch. if we do not accept the absolute truthfulness of jesus' words, we cannot be sure what if true or false.
- Explains that the date for the writing of the book of genesis is significant because certain grammatical structures within genesis contradict a late redactor.
- Explains that the precise age of the earth from scripture is impossible to determine because the genealogies provided are abridged, and the geological record is not conclusive.
- Explains that genesis reveals the living god, the creator of the universe.
- Explains that genesis sets the foundation for the old and new testaments. the covenant between abraham and god is introduced, and the problem with humanity is explained.
- Explains that the word "waw consecutive" indicates a sequential narrative, but not what is found in genesis' first verses.
- Explains that the word transliterated "asa" seems to be interchangeable with "bara." it is used in genesis to indicate god created the heavens and earth.
- Explains that the gap theory interprets genesis as allowing for an indefinite amount of time between verse one and two.
- Explains that hebrew grammar does not permit the interpretation which supports the gap theory.
- Analyzes how the gap theory attempts to reconcile genesis with the geologic record, alienating them.
- Compares the biblical view of creation with the babylonian view. genesis teaches creation from nothing by means of the word of god.
- Argues that the bible teaches one god, whereas the enuma elis explains multiple gods. the babylonian account speaks of animate water, gods who exert great energy to create, and man created with an evil tendency.
- Compares the babylonian account with the genesis creation account. both refer to an original mass of water and two separate bodies, separated by firmament.
- Explains that some interpret the "days" in genesis to represent indefinite periods of time, while others interpret them to be revelatory in nature.
- Explains that the pressure to interpret "day" in a different way than literal, twenty-four hour period has come largely from science.
- Explains that the ancient oriental view was that giving a name meant one was invoking sovereign right over the thing being named. when god names the land and sea, he is demonstrating his sovereignty over them.
- Explains that the first three days of creation provide the form, or general outline of what is to come, while the second three provide incredible detail to god’s creation.
- Analyzes how god uses "threes" several times in the creation account. he creates three types of plant life; the grasses, the herbs bearing seeds, and the trees.
- Explains that god created man in his own image, in the image of god.
- Explains that the most significant change to the formula structure occurs in the evaluation.
- Cites john j. davis' paradise to prison and scott phillips' "genesis: introduction." liberty university.
2535 wordsRead More - The Bible And Contextualism Essayexplanatory essayTo begin with, what does it mean when someone says that the Bible is the inspired word of God? It means quite a few things. While god did not directly write the Bible, he certainly had a hand in its creation. To be blunt, God divinely influences the human authors of the Scriptures in a way that they wrote the very Word of God. The Bible is written by people who are inspired by God to write the scriptures. He does not directly control what they write, but he nudges them in the correct direction with his divine influence. He is not controlling them, but inspiring. God inspired people to write the very words of himself.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that while god did not directly write the bible, he certainly had a hand in its creation. the bible is written by people who are inspired by god.
- Explains the church's view that the bible is without error. the story of adam and eve was important and real.
- Explains that the catholic church officially teachers the "contextualist" approach, which means that unlike fundamentalists, they do not follow the bible word for word.
524 wordsRead More - Drscoll Essayanalytical essayGenesis chapter 1-3 shows just how awesome God was in his creation. These chapters sum up the seven days of creation as well as sin and evil. No one but God can speak and everything on earth comes into existence (universe, heaven, seas, water, dry land, the sun, the moon and creatures). The Bible should be read on a literal perspective than on a figurative perspective. When we do this, no one will have to debate on whether or not what we read is true or fictional. After all, accord...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mark driscoll, the pastor at mars hill, discusses six different views in his article, "what are the various views on creation?" they include historic and young earth creationism, gap theory, literary framework view, day-age view and theistic evolution.
- Explains that historic creationism deals with the "beginning" in genesis 1:1. this verse does not speak of god using a blueprint to start creation.
- Explains that genesis chapter 1-3 shows how awesome god was in his creation. it sums up the seven days of creation as well as sin and evil.
- Analyzes how mark driscoll explains that genesis 1:1 can help christians realize the miraculous act of god by which he brought the universe into existence.
- Opines that the data in genesis 1-11 cannot be reconciled with an old-earth view. driscoll discusses how many individuals do not see the creation in historical terms.
- Explains that darwin contributed to the evolutionary theory by observing micro-evolution, which is an adaption of a species to its environment.
668 wordsRead More - A Comparison of Early Civilization Articlesanalytical essay"The Book of Genesis" tells us how "God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and the cattle after their kind", (The Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, pg. 13). It also tells how "God created Man in his own image", (The Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, pg. 13). This explains that one God created the Earth, the animals, and finally, Man.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the similarities and differences between the people from mesopotamia, the quiche' indians, and "the book of genesis" which offers a christian or biblical explanation of how our own civilization originated
- Explains that all three civilizations believed that the earth, all the animals, and man was created by one or several gods.
- Explains that all three civilizations saw that their gods had their best interest, safety, and security in mind.
- Explains that the quiche' indians lived in a beautiful coastal land, full of lush greenery, cypress and pine trees, mountains, valleys, and rivers.
905 wordsRead More - Contrasting Genesis I and II of the Holy Bibleanalytical essayContrasting Genesis I and II Where Genesis I describes a more ordered creation - the manifestation of a more primitive cultural influence than was responsible for the multi-layered creation in Genesis II - the second creation story focuses less on an etiological justification for the physical world and examines the ramifications of humankind's existence and relationship with God. Instead of Genesis I's simple and repetitive refrains of "and God saw that it was good" (Gen 1:12, 18, 21, 25), Genesis II features a more stylistically advanced look at "the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens" (Gen 2:4). While both stories represent different versions of the same Biblical event, Genesis II is significantly more complex than its predecessor and serves both to quantify the relationship between God and his creations and lay the foundation for the evolving story of humankind as well.
In this essay, the author
- Compares genesis i and ii, where genesis ii focuses less on etiological justification for the physical world and examines the ramifications of humankind's existence and relationship with god.
- Compares the two creation stories. the first describes a detailed, six-day process in which god first delineates day and night, establishes physical world, and then creates man.
- Explains that the lord god formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
- Analyzes how the second account differs from the first story in three important distinctions: the indication of creation in a single day, the creation of man "from the dust of the ground" rather than "in our image"
- Analyzes how the single-day creation indicates a combination of separate biblical traditions and implies that the society of the second creation placed less value in god's creation than in the role of humankind in that environment.
- Explains that the lord god commanded the man, "you may freely eat of every tree of the garden."
- Analyzes how the introduction of the tree of knowledge of good and evil signifies both hebrew culture's shift from a primitive society grounded in etiological reasoning to an ordered society.
- Analyzes how god creates man in "our" image, indicating either the remnants of polytheism or the holy trinity found later in christianity.
- Analyzes how the role of women in genesis ii is inherently submissive, but it serves as an accurate representation of the development of hebrew society.
- Explains that god blessed them and said to them, "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it."
- Explains that genesis ii has few provisions for man and woman's existence other than the requirement that woman be a companion to man, and that their nakedness together not be shameful. the idea of shame in nudity and attraction to the opposite sex lends to an developed hebrew society.
- Analyzes how genesis i and ii address early humanity's desire to quantify and comprehend the world around them, yet the two versions of creation are startlingly different in style and content.
1204 wordsRead More