1. Thinking about God An exploration of the divine

2. The Creation In (the) beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters In (the) beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters

3. Notes God is the first subject of the text God is the first subject of the text The time of creation is not specified – it is at a beginning The time of creation is not specified – it is at a beginning Tohu and bohu -- not creatio ex nihilo or creation from nothing Tohu and bohu -- not creatio ex nihilo or creation from nothing Tehom or the deep is related to the Akkadian word tiamat – the goddess of the ocean in the Mesopotamian Enuma Elish Tehom or the deep is related to the Akkadian word tiamat – the goddess of the ocean in the Mesopotamian Enuma Elish Ruach is wind, breath, or spirit Ruach is wind, breath, or spirit

4. An Orderly Creation Day 1 – Light Day 1 – Light Day 2 – Waters separated by heaven as a barrier Day 2 – Waters separated by heaven as a barrier Day 3 – Dry Land and Vegetation Day 3 – Dry Land and Vegetation Day 4 – Sun, Moon, and Stars Day 4 – Sun, Moon, and Stars Day 5 – Birds and Fish Day 5 – Birds and Fish Day 6 – Animals and Humanity Day 6 – Animals and Humanity Day 7 – rest Day 7 – rest Days go by Jewish order: evening and morning Days go by Jewish order: evening and morning

5. Hebrew Cosmology

6. View of God First Subject – always exists; no beginning and no end First Subject – always exists; no beginning and no end Can order the forces of chaos with words alone Can order the forces of chaos with words alone Judges the outcome and declares much of the work “good” or “very good.” Judges the outcome and declares much of the work “good” or “very good.” Proverbs 8 says wisdom is the master worker God creates first Proverbs 8 says wisdom is the master worker God creates first

7. Compare the second view of God Gen 2:4b-3:24 Gen 2:4b-3:24 God fashions a human from the ground and breathes life into it (2:7) and then planted a garden God fashions a human from the ground and breathes life into it (2:7) and then planted a garden Tries (and fails a lot) to create a partner fit for the human (2:18-20) Tries (and fails a lot) to create a partner fit for the human (2:18-20) Builds a woman out the man’s rib (2:21-25) Builds a woman out the man’s rib (2:21-25) Walks around in the garden (3:8) Walks around in the garden (3:8) Does not seem to automatically know what is going on (3:11) Does not seem to automatically know what is going on (3:11) Dispenses consequences (3:14-19), but fears the power of the humans (3:22) Dispenses consequences (3:14-19), but fears the power of the humans (3:22)

8. The Fickleness of God Gen 6:5-6 The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Gen 6:5-6 The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Compare Gen 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. ….etc. Compare Gen 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. ….etc. Gen 8:21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth, nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.” Gen 8:21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth, nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.”

9. Chagall – The Flood

10. A Penchant for Destruction??? Gen 18:17 “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” Gen 18:17 “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” The bargaining between Abraham and God The bargaining between Abraham and God –Starts at 50 –Goes to 45 –Then to 40 –Down to 30 –On to 20 –Finally to 10 Destroying the righteous with the wicked is the issue Destroying the righteous with the wicked is the issue V 25 concludes: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” V 25 concludes: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

11. Demanding Tells Abram to leave country and kin – and he does without question Tells Abram to leave country and kin – and he does without question Promises him a child, but makes him wait until almost impossibly late Promises him a child, but makes him wait until almost impossibly late Once Isaac is born, asks for the sacrifice of this child: “….God tested Abraham” …..”Take your son, your only one whom you love, Isaac….” Once Isaac is born, asks for the sacrifice of this child: “….God tested Abraham” …..”Take your son, your only one whom you love, Isaac….”

12. Another Image