Genesis “In the beginning…” Scripture Workshop Episcopal Church of the Resurrection January 14, 2009

Questions? What do you know about Genesis? Who wrote it? When? Why? Where? For whom? What role does it play in our culture today? What is it: History, myth, theology, fact, parable?

Some Big Ideas with there roots (rightly or wrongly) in Genesis Original sin God created us in his/her image Creationism Flood stories God created men first Sodomy is bad Sabbath

Complex Sources Genesis is composed of three main sources, each of which aggregate numerous earlier sources Stories were told and re-told and re-intepreted and re-contextualized before and after they were written down Sources distinguished by style, vocabulary, perspective, name for God, and the stories they tell Combination creates contradictions, inconsistencies, repetition, abrupt changes Combined sources often difficult to separate

Earliest Sources All of the stories that created these sources first existed as oral traditions and over time were written. Some material from within Judaism, some from neighboring civilizations Stories with ancient middle eastern parallels include creation and the flood. Some characters (Nephilim) and notions of God borrow from neighboring civilizations Same 3 primary sources make up Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.

Yahwist (J) Source Refers to God as Yahweh Likely written during 10th C, during reign of David and Solomon, though came from North Oldest and largest source (730 verses) God is personal and transcendent, human and folksy. Helper and opponent Themes: Alienation, judgment, mercy Stories: Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Flood (parts), Babel Establishes much of Genesis’ narrative

Elohist (E) Source Refers to God as Elohim (simply means “God”) Likely written during 9th in North, during period of Elijah’s activity 336 verses Emerged as Israel tried to merge variety of religious trends. Defines clear covenantal relationship Begins at Genesis 15 Much of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph sagas from E Glosses over moral imperfections of Israelites, emphasizes religious (vs. political) nature of Israel

Priestly (P) Source Refers to God as El Shaddai (the Lord) Written during 6th century, durin gthe late exilic period. Only has 153 verses, but forms the outline into which J and E were inserted. Includes first creation story and much of Genesis 1-11. Little narrative tension Concerned with cleanliness and covenant, off spring, land issues, names. Focuses on theological reading of covenants God is distant and more formal

Combined Sources In 9th C J and E were rivals. When North fell a redactor supplemented J with parts of E, and thus E is much less completely preserved Affirmed national political tone of J but permeated it with religious and ethical qualities of E 300 years later the writing of P and combination with J&E was probably a single process. Affirmed J&E religious and political tendencies and subordinated them to ritual concerns of E P was final editor or guide for the final editor

Narrative Blocks First Creation Story Second Creation Story The Flood Tower of Babel Abraham Cycle Traveling, covenant, Sodom & Gomorrah, birth of Isaac, Sacrifice of Isaac Jacob Cycle Jacob & Esau, Jacob & Laban, wrestling with angel, rape of Dinah Joseph Story Sold into slavery, interpreting dreams, brothers journey to Egypt, death

Literary forms within Genesis Legendary narratives Hymns/songs Laments Laws Priestly sayings Prophetic sayings Proverbs Rules Legal Maxims Treaties Requests/wishes Salutations Blessings/curses Novellas Oaths Oracles Judgments Cultic regulations Approvals rejections rebukes Conversations Formal speeches Sermons Prayers Letters Myths Fairy Tales Lists Historical Narrative Biography Speeches Vision reports Riddles Wisdom Parables Fables Allegories Legends Sagas Anecdotes

First Creation Story 1:1-2:4b Before creation earth is formless, dark wasteland and wind swept over waters Creation takes on clear pattern: “Let there be…” Creation Completes the day (Jewish days: Sunset to Sunset) Steps in creation Light; separation of waters; dry land, vegetation; sun, moon, stars; fish, birds; land animals, humans; sabbath

First Creation Story 1:1-2:4b Priestly account: Very orderly. God is distant, not anthropomorphic Similarities between this story and a Babylonian version, but it’s been re-done to reflect Israel’s theology Something exists before creation, but it is chaos –similar to Babylonian accounts Darkness was considered to be evil, and its origin is mysterious God creates through the spoken word – naming something signified power over it

First Creation Story 1:1-2:4b Creation is orderly Some repudiation of claims of other religions Light created before sources of light Humans are culmination of humanity 1:26 uses “us”. Difficult to interpret “Image”: God’s representative on earth? Something else? Humans created male and female in God’s image adam means humanity in Hebrew God is outside of the universe

Workshop Schedule January 14: Introduction January 21: Creation Stories, 1:1-5:32 January 28: The Flood, 6:1-11:27 February 4: Abraham Cycle, 11:28-36:43 February 11: Stephen in Mexico February 18: Jacob Cycle, 25:19-36:43 February 25: Joseph Story, 37:1-50:26