Subject: Re: Liberals vs conservatives
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 10:27:46 +0800
From: Nigel Mitchell < 
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian
On Thu, 11 Nov 1999 4:58:28 +0800, Darren R Middleton wrote (in message < >):

> I’m familiar with the liberal take of Genesis - as I’m sure you’re
> familiar with the evangelical take.

You make it sound as though each were equally viable.
Do you think Moses wrote the Pentateuch?
Could you convince a person who did not share your 
prior assumptions about the nature of scripture that 
Moses wrote the Pentateuch?

> 
>> 2. I have no doubt that the authors of Genesis 1 did not intend the word
>> “day” to mean anything other than a 24 hour day. I would be very
> surprised if
>> any world class scholar in any major University thought differently.
> 
> 
> I’d be interested in what Dr Barr has to say - not to mention a survey of
> scholars on the issue of what the intention of the *original author* was
> concerning the days of Genesis. Have you got some info that would support
> your belief Nigel?

This is interesting, Darren. Do you think that 
the “Yom” means something other than 
“24 hour day” in Genesis 1. If you do, 
then you and I and Dr Barr agree.

I will make a note to ask him the question.

>> 3. I am equally sure that the authors of Genesis did not believe that
> they
>> were writing an historical account of what actually happened. They were
>> writing an Israelite version of the Babylonian Creation myth, and thereby
>> expressing their faith in the one God who created all that is, and who
> chose
>> them to be his people.
> 
> Now with all due respect that’s is absolute speculation 
It would be absoloute speculation if I were simply saying that on my own account, but as you know it is mainstream Biblical scholarship and has been for the past 100 years.
> - have you
> actually read the Babylon creation myth?

Yes. I have it right here.

> Explain the similarities...

As you know, many books have been written on 
this subject, but briefly, the sequence of 
events is the same, viz;
Genesis
God creates all matter, but is independent 
of it Earth is in darkness and chaos over 
the deep (Tehom).

Enuma Elish
The Divine Spirits and cosmic matters 
coexist and are coeternal. There is a 
primeval chaos in which the gods war 
against the deep (Tiamat).

Genesis
1st day the creation of light

Enuma Elish
Light emanates from the gods

Genesis
2nd day the dome of the sky is created

Enuma Elish
creation of the firmament (dome)

Genesis
3rd day creation of dry land

Enuma Elish
creation of dry land

Genesis
4th day creation of heavenly lights

Enuma Elish
creation of heavenly lights

Genesis
5th day creation of animals

Enuma Elish
-

Genesis
6th day creation of man

Enuma Elish
creation of man

Genesis
God rests and sanctifies the sabbath

Enuma Elish
the gods rest and celebrate with a banquet

I am sure you have looked at all this 
before, Darren, but for anyone else who 
is interested an useful comparison can 
be found at the following sites 

http://www.cumber.edu/acad/rel/hbible/HebrewBible/hbmisc/enumaeli.htm 
http://www-relg-studies.scu.edu/netcours/hb/sess4/enuma.htm 
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/7418/lk11.htm 
http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/RTOT/CH1/CH1_TC.HTM 
a contrary view is presented at 
http://www.creationresearch.org/creation_matters/98/cm9801.html 

> Although the Babylonian creation myth is pulled out as if it was
> some sort of lay down misere - it is most unconvincing.

...to you. I will continue to accept and 
teach it until I see a more convincing 
explanation.

cheers
N+