Genesis ch 1-11 - Hebrew Scriptures

Genesis is in which part of the Hebrew Scriptures?

The Pentateuch

During which century was Genesis written?

6th

Which historical event impacted the Jews during the century when Genesis was composed?

The Babylonian Exile

In what way does the Jewish understanding of the role of God in the world differ from the Babylonian understanding of the gods' role?

The Jews believe in one God, and the Babylonians believe in many gods. Also, the Babylonians believed that their gods were self-centred and created humans to be their slaves, but the Jews believed that God made humans in God's image and likeness. The Jews thought that God brought goodness and order, and the Babylonian gods created chaos.

What term do we use to refer to belief in one God?

Monotheism

What term do we use to refer to belief in multiple gods?

Polytheism

What are the two sources of oral tradition present in the Genesis creation stories?

Priestly (1) & Yahwist (2)

What term do we use to refer to the way the ancient Hebrews understood the universe?

Cosmology

Give two examples of language in Genesis that reflect this understanding of the universe.

References to the dome, firmament, and basin

What is the literary style of the first creation story?

Hymn-like

What is a key characteristic of this literary style in the Bible?

Repetition

What is the literary style of the second creation story?

Folktale

What is one key characteristic of this literary style in the Bible?

Talking, anthropomorphic animals and God and things that come in threes (pattern of man, woman, snake).

What term do we use to describe God in the second creation story when God created human beings like a potter shaping clay?

Anthropomorphic

What term refers to the first sin of human beings who disobeyed God's will?

Original Sin

What is a theological truth about God in the creation stories?

God is the sole creator of everything, good, loving, personal, and omniscient

What is agape love?

Unconditional Love; love because we exist not because we earn it

What is the meaning of ex nihilo?

Creation of everything from nothing

What is the meaning of the term imago dei?

It means humans are created in the image of God

What is the significance of the rainbow in the story of the flood?

a symbol of God's covenant relationship with humanity and God's promise to never destroy all creatures and human beings by flood again.

What do we learn about the spread of sin and God's relationship with human beings in Genesis 1-11?

Sin spreads from a couple, to their children, to a specific region, to the entire world. There are consequences for sin (disobeying God), but God is Merciful.

How does the Babylonian exile connect to the Tower of Babel story?

reflects the experience of living under Babylonian power during the Babylonian Exile. The Jews were displaced into a different culture and language, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining identity. Babel-Babylonian

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