Sporadic theological and historical musings by Edgar Foster (Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies and one of Jehovah's Witnesses).
Thursday, August 03, 2017
Genesis 1:1: Chaoskampf Story?
While many like to assert a connection between Genesis 1 and Enuma Elish, the story may be more complex than normally assumed. Here is one view of the issue.
The article is by Robin Routledge, published in the Tyndale Bulletin 61.1 (2010) issue.
It usually is known as Enuma Elish or Enuma Elis, a Babylonian creation story. The view that Tiamat and the Hebrew word tehom (Genesis 1:2) are related has been popularized in scholarly lore, but is almost certainly wrong. Plenty of evidence disproves the connection.
Philip, I would also encourage you to enter Tiamat in the jw.org online library and note the results. Insight and other publications discuss the Babylonian epic.
Ok once you mentioned the babylon epic I knew what you were talking about. plus i read about it on wikipedia. Is there really evidence that it is stated before Moses who wrote more 3500 years ago?
You might remember the term "historical-critical scholarship" or critical scholarship from our older publication, The Bible. It is difficult to explain in a few words, but liberal/secular/critical scholarship likes to date the Pentateuch much later than conservative scholars do. A lot of this thinking is rooted in 19th century German scholarship, which should not be uncritically accepted. It has been my experience that archaeology has supported older dates for the Hebrew materials, although trying to assign dates in an absolute sense might not be feasible or wise. One has to consider all of he evidence and not just buy into critical scholarship that is highly speculative.
Yes, I spoken with a retired professor, on a different subject, nevertheless it seems he can't except the supernatural, so they choose to except anything that will belittle the evidences for the supernatural. When I spoke to him about prophecies, he said someone must have traveled thru time to give the prophet the true message of what really happened in the future. Still he didn't want to rule out God, but he wasn't sure what God was.
A lot of my colleagues believe in God because of where I am employed and where I live, but other schools have more secular and sceptical characteristics. Some students also like to question everything, including God's existence However, I like to point out the numerous absurdities of atheism like no foundation for morality and the incoherence of an eternal universe, especially one with no creator. But admittedly, Babylon has supplied much confusion.
This is educational, I really didn't know about Enuma Elish, unless it is recognized by some other name.
ReplyDeleteIt usually is known as Enuma Elish or Enuma Elis, a Babylonian creation story. The view that Tiamat and the Hebrew word tehom (Genesis 1:2) are related has been popularized in scholarly lore, but is almost certainly wrong. Plenty of evidence disproves the connection.
ReplyDeletePhilip, I would also encourage you to enter Tiamat in the jw.org online library and note the results. Insight and other publications discuss the Babylonian epic.
ReplyDeleteOk once you mentioned the babylon epic I knew what you were talking about. plus i read about it on wikipedia. Is there really evidence that it is stated before Moses who wrote more 3500 years ago?
ReplyDeleteYou might remember the term "historical-critical scholarship" or critical scholarship from our older publication, The Bible. It is difficult to explain in a few words, but liberal/secular/critical scholarship likes to date the Pentateuch much later than conservative scholars do. A lot of this thinking is rooted in 19th century German scholarship, which should not be uncritically accepted. It has been my experience that archaeology has supported older dates for the Hebrew materials, although trying to assign dates in an absolute sense might not be feasible or wise. One has to consider all of he evidence and not just buy into critical scholarship that is highly speculative.
ReplyDeleteYes, I spoken with a retired professor, on a different subject, nevertheless it seems he can't except the supernatural, so they choose to except anything that will belittle the evidences for the supernatural. When I spoke to him about prophecies, he said someone must have traveled thru time to give the prophet the true message of what really happened in the future. Still he didn't want to rule out God, but he wasn't sure what God was.
ReplyDeleteA lot of my colleagues believe in God because of where I am employed and where I live, but other schools have more secular and sceptical characteristics. Some students also like to question everything, including God's existence However, I like to point out the numerous absurdities of atheism like no foundation for morality and the incoherence of an eternal universe, especially one with no creator. But admittedly, Babylon has supplied much confusion.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Tehom
ReplyDeletehttp://dssenglishbible.com/psalms%20148.htm
ReplyDeletePsalms 148:7 worth investigation.