The Bible and Its Influence September 20, 2011

Outline: September 16, 2010 Was the beginning, the beginning? Was the beginning, the beginning? –text study –the Leviathan in art Can people read objectively? Can people read objectively? Israel from the Outside Israel from the Outside Israel from the Inside Israel from the Inside The ancient text and our text. The ancient text and our text.

Was the world created ex- nihilo? Look at Gen 1:1-2:4 Look at Gen 1:1-2:4 Psalm 89:6-14 Psalm 89:6-14 Psalm 74: Psalm 74: Isaiah 27:1 Isaiah 27:1 Job 26:5-13 Job 26:5-13

Israel from the outside Pre-Assyrian Pre-Assyrian Assyrian (mid ninth c to 612 BCE) Assyrian (mid ninth c to 612 BCE) Babylonian ( BCE) Babylonian ( BCE) Persian ( BCE) Persian ( BCE) Greek (332 – 63 BCE) Greek (332 – 63 BCE)

Israel from the Inside Pre Monarchic Pre Monarchic United Monarchy BCE United Monarchy BCE Divided Monarchy BCE Divided Monarchy BCE Judean Kingdom Judean Kingdom –586 Temple Destroyed –538 Cyrus allows Judeans to return and rebuild the Temple

Israel from the Inside continued BCE begins period of exile BCE begins period of exile Post exilic period after 538 BCE Post exilic period after 538 BCE

Gen. 2:10-14; Where are these places?

Where are these places today?

The Bible was written over a very long period. 12 Century BCE “Song of Deborah” (Judges 5) is considered one of the oldest sections of the Hebrew Bible. 12 Century BCE “Song of Deborah” (Judges 5) is considered one of the oldest sections of the Hebrew Bible. 2 nd Century BCE “Book of Daniel” considered one of the last sections to be added to the Hebrew Bible. 2 nd Century BCE “Book of Daniel” considered one of the last sections to be added to the Hebrew Bible. How many years? How many years?

The Bronze Age The Bronze Age primarily took place between 3500 BC and 1200 BC. The Bronze Age primarily took place between 3500 BC and 1200 BC. Does the Hebrew Bible accurately reflect the Bronze Age? There is evidence on both sides. The current trend is away from exact dating of the Hebrew Bible. Does the Hebrew Bible accurately reflect the Bronze Age? There is evidence on both sides. The current trend is away from exact dating of the Hebrew Bible.

The Hebrew Bible to teach history? The archeological record sometimes contradicts the biblical record. The archeological record sometimes contradicts the biblical record. –Book of Joshua describes rapid conquest of the land. –Archeological evidence shows a much more gradual change in cultures.

The Bible as History? Reasonable middle position would suggest that the Bible may be used with significant caution, as a source for ancient history just like any other ancient document but it is fundamentally a theological document. Its authors were not interested in accurate portrayal of the past. They saw the past through a theological lens. Reasonable middle position would suggest that the Bible may be used with significant caution, as a source for ancient history just like any other ancient document but it is fundamentally a theological document. Its authors were not interested in accurate portrayal of the past. They saw the past through a theological lens.

Merneptah Stele, 1207 BCE Egyptian claim to have obliterated Israel. “Israel is wasted”. Egyptian claim to have obliterated Israel. “Israel is wasted”.

What is Myth? An essential and constructive element of all cultures. An essential and constructive element of all cultures. Like a metaphor, it may be literally also but profoundly true on a figurative level. Myth conveys something of collective importance. Like a metaphor, it may be literally also but profoundly true on a figurative level. Myth conveys something of collective importance. i.e. George Washington and the cherry tree. i.e. George Washington and the cherry tree.

What is the Garden of Eden about? Please read Genesis 3 with a partner and discuss the following questions: Please read Genesis 3 with a partner and discuss the following questions: 1) Do you know any traditional interpretations of Eve? Have traditional interpretations affected your understanding of women? 1) Do you know any traditional interpretations of Eve? Have traditional interpretations affected your understanding of women? 2) Do you think that popular images of Eve as temptress have influenced your picture of male-female relationships? 2) Do you think that popular images of Eve as temptress have influenced your picture of male-female relationships? 3) Has Genesis 3:16 b, which declares that a woman's man will (or can) rule over her, affected your understanding of marriage? 3) Has Genesis 3:16 b, which declares that a woman's man will (or can) rule over her, affected your understanding of marriage? 4) How might knowledge of the documentary hypothesis affect the way you understand traditional interpretations of Eve? 4) How might knowledge of the documentary hypothesis affect the way you understand traditional interpretations of Eve?

What is Midrash? “The woman was taken from Adam’s body because only when like is joined unto like is the union indissoluble. The creation of woman from man was possible because Adam originally had two aspects, which were separated at the birth of Eve.” “The woman was taken from Adam’s body because only when like is joined unto like is the union indissoluble. The creation of woman from man was possible because Adam originally had two aspects, which were separated at the birth of Eve.”

What questions does this Midrash ask and answer? What questions does this Midrash ask and answer? What does it mean to say that the original being (Adam) had two aspects and that one of those aspects was female? What does it mean to say that the original being (Adam) had two aspects and that one of those aspects was female?

Another Midrash.....the creation of Lilith To Banish man’s loneliness, Lilith was first given to Adam as wife. Like him she has been created out of the dust of the ground. But she remained with him only a short time, because she insisted upon enjoying full equality with her husband. She derived her rights from their identical origin. To Banish man’s loneliness, Lilith was first given to Adam as wife. Like him she has been created out of the dust of the ground. But she remained with him only a short time, because she insisted upon enjoying full equality with her husband. She derived her rights from their identical origin.

Lilith continued.... With the help of the ineffable Name, which she pronounced, Lilith flew away from Adam, and vanished in the air. Adam complained before God that the wife He had given him had deserted him and God sent forth three angels to capture her. They found her in the Red Sea, and they sought to make her go back with the With the help of the ineffable Name, which she pronounced, Lilith flew away from Adam, and vanished in the air. Adam complained before God that the wife He had given him had deserted him and God sent forth three angels to capture her. They found her in the Red Sea, and they sought to make her go back with the

Lilith cont’d... threat that, unless she went, she would lose a hundred of her children daily by death. But Lilith preferred this punishment to living with Adam. She takes her revenge by injuring babies....the only way to ward off the evil is to attach an amulet.... threat that, unless she went, she would lose a hundred of her children daily by death. But Lilith preferred this punishment to living with Adam. She takes her revenge by injuring babies....the only way to ward off the evil is to attach an amulet....

What questions does this Midrash ask and answer? What questions does this Midrash ask and answer?

Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

Detail of the hands

The Temptation of Adam and Eve

Bolshoi Ballet “Creation of the World”

Michelangelo, The Creation of Eve

Group Work: Cain and Abel Working with a partner, please read Genesis 4:1-16. Please compare with Qur’an (5:27-32) Please draw up a list of similarities and differences.