As of January 4th (um, today), I’m starting the Bible Project year-long reading plan (check it out here).
Since it starts IN THE BEGINNING (see what I did there?) this post is for me to compile all of the things I’d like to dive a little deeper into regarding Genesis.
As usual, the ordering of list items is as they occur to me, which may make no sense at all (Ctrl-F if you’re looking for something specific). If I actually write something up, I’ll update this post with links.
- Documentary hypothesis:
- Yahwist vs. Elohist vs Priestly
- Proponents vs. Criticism (and any reputable alternate theories)
- Literal (aka “creationist”) interpretations:
- For whom and why is this a sticking point?
- How do literalists handle the differences?
- Other Ancient Near East creation stories:
- Babylon: Enuma Elish
- “Day by Day” study
- “Image of God” (Gen 1:26):
- Interpretation trajectory –OT author vs. Early Christian vs. modern thought (other time periods? denominational differences?)
- “Dominion” (Gen 1:28) and/or “Cultivate” (Gen 2:15)
- Origin concept of consent: Why is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil even in the Garden?
- Snake symbolism in the Ancient Near East