The first creation narrative is Genesis 1-2:4 and uses the word "Elohim" for God. "The Yahwist narrative may have been responsible for the backbone of the event line in Genesis involving the creation of humanity, the first rebellious impulses, and the turn to Abraham. This sequence set the parameters of God’s challenge to create a people obedient to him. The Elohist source supplemented this story line, and the Priestly writers added their own episodes and created continuity to the event line by using genealogies" (Brandastra).
When compared with other passages of creation, we see some similarities and some differences. The other accounts of creation can be found in these verses:
- Isa 51:9
- Job 9:4-14
- Job 26:7-14
- Job 38:1-11
- Psalms 8:1-9
- Psalms 74:12-17
- Psalms 89:8-10
- Psalms 104:1-9
- Psalms 136:1-9
- Proverbs 8:22-31
The similarities I found were:
- The use of commanding and using spoken words to create
- The separation of waters from the lands
- God rules the sun, the moon, and the stars
- Humanity is created in God's image to rule over Creation
- God is described at wind
The differences I found were:
- The conquering of mythological creatures (Rahab, Leviathan)
- God as warrior conquering chaos in order to control
Being charged with writing a creation narrative using the differences, I came up with this:
The deep sea consumed everything.
Rahab ruled all.
God struck and tamed all things.
The waters stilled.
They could not go farther than the Lord commanded.
God flowed the waters out revealing the mountains.
God commanded the sun to rise.
God commanded the moon and stars to shine.
Nothing can do anything with out God's command.
God created humanity.
Give thanks.
Thank you for the solid contrast! One of the things I have really appreciated about biblical studies is coming to the realization that there are multiple creation stories (so !much so that this will be the theme of the senior high camp I dean). I have come to understand these creation stories to be a way for ancient people to make sense of their own existence and the order of their world. I really appreciate the piece in communion liturgy that says, "when nothing existed but chaos, God swept over the murky abyss and brought forth life". This gives me hope that God will do the same in my own life!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post. Your findings of similarity and contrast were precise and to the point, “no fluff,” as the saying goes. I also like the theological spin added to your narrative.
ReplyDeleteFunny, as this course has progressed, it’s been startling to see how many of our weekly readings have shown contrast in more than one area of scripture. With this week’s make, it’s apparent that the book of Genesis in comparison to the list of texts reviewed reveals different accounts of the creation story. I assume that this is a reflection of different times, authors, etc., though back in the day, I would notice the disparities without understanding the underlying reasons for it. What a difference a day makes.