Unit 2 Prehistory Genesis 1-11

lectio divina

method of prayer that involves reading and meditating on a Scripture passage; "divine reading"

Babylonian Exile

6th c. BC, when citizens of the kingdom of Judah were held captive in Babylon; Genesis was likely written during this period

polytheism

belief in many gods

genesis

beginning; origin

myth

literary genre: a traditional story about gods, ancestors, or heroes, told to explain the natural world or the customs and beliefs of a society.

PreHistory

the long period of time before people invented writing; Gen 1-11

PreHistory stories in Genesis

Creation (2); The Fall; Cain & Abel; Noah & the Flood; Tower of Babel

dominion

the power or right to rule or control (given to man over the earth and animals; includes caring for them- stewardship)

Sabbath

a day set apart to rest and worship God; the 7th day of creation story #1; Saturday for Jews and Sunday for Christians

creationists

People who support a literal interpretation of the biblical book of Genesis regarding the origins of the universe and who deny evolution

evolutionists

people who believe that the creation account in Genesis 1 was not intended to be a factual explanation; they accept scientific theory that the universe evolved over millions of years and don't include God

ex nihilo

Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing." It is used to describe how God created the universe

human dignity

the value and worth that humans share because God created us in his image and likeness

transcendent

Extending beyond the limits of all possible human experience and knowledge (God is out there and powerful)

immanent

idea that the sacred/divine exists within the world, within nature; the sacred is not seen as separate from or in the world (God is close and personal)

sin

turning away from God; an attitude or action that weakens or breaks one's relationship with God and other people; causes suffering & separation

original sin

The fallen state of human nature into which all generations of people are born; inherited from our original parents; pride & disobedience

sin of commission

purposely doing an action that is harmful to oneself or another

sin of omission

failing to do the good that we have a moral duty to perform

personal sin

the free choice to disobey God, to do something that is the opposite of the good

envy

a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.

fratricide

the act of killing one's brother (Cain-Gen 3)

nomad

a member of a group that has no permanent home, wandering from place to place in search of food and water

covenant

A solemn agreement and sworn oath between people or between God and humanity involving mutual commitments and promises

oath

a commitment and promise in which God's name is called upon for assistance or blessing

sacrifice

a gift or offering made to God by human beings

holocaust

a sacrifice consumed by fire- burnt offering

ziggurat

pyramid-shaped temples of ancient Babylon

Pentecost

50 days after Jesus' resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles enabling their speech to be understood by people of other languages and empowering them to preach the Good News

shamar

Hebrew: to keep, protect, guard (Adam was supposed to guard the garden & protect his wife)

nachash/nahash

Hebrew: serpent, dragon, leviathan; intimidating creature

7

symbolic number of the Scriptures; represents covenant, perfection

40

symbolic number of the Scriptures; often represents a period of trial or testing

protoevangelium

Gen 3:15; first promise of the redeemer

imago Dei

Latin for in the image of God

Sin is like graffiti covering our likeness to God

St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the effects of sin

allegory

literary device used to convey truth through symbolism

Noah

He did all that God commanded even though he didn't understand

Cain

Envies his brother whose offering was favored by God; commits fratricide

Seth

Adam & Eve's 3rd son; through his line we have Noah

Rainbow

Sign of the covenant with Noah

How we are in God's image & likeness

We are immortal souls; have intellect & free will; were made to love God and each other

enmity

"deep-seated hatred" God said he would put this between the serpent and the woman & their offspring.

pentateuch

the first five books of the old Testament; "five volumed".

Yahwest, Elohist, Deuteronomist, & Priestly

4 Primary sources for the stories found in Pentateuch

Torah

Law or instruction

laws & inspired narratives

2 types of writing in pentateuch

inspired narrative

What type of writing is genesis?

Moses

Traditionally it is believed that who wrote the the Pentateuch?

2

How many accounts of creation are there

rib;one

God formed woman from the man's ___. This implies that they are____.

Marriage

is an image of God's self-giving love & covenant.

The sign of covenant with Adam is the...

sabbath

Gen 6-9 Noah

a portrait of faithfulness; being saved by obedience

Gen 11

The Tower of Babel

Explain The Tower Babel

God scatters the people who are full of pride & arrogance, who want to glorify themselves. Language becomes a barrier.

Gen 3

The Fall. Original Sin.

Gen 1-2

The Creation Stories

fractures; misuse

Sin ___ our relationship with God. It is a ___ of our free will.

opened the "floodgates" of sin.

The first sin not only introduced evil but...

everything

God created_____

word

God created through his_____

nothing

God created out of____

good

God's creation is

man

____ is the crown of God's creation

dominion

Man is given the _____ over God's other creatures.

heart

Woman was created to be close to man's

marriage

_____ is the standard for humanity.

covenant

God established a ______ with Noah and all living beings.

Shem

Which son of Noah was Abram's ancestor?

obeys; saved; not

Whoever hears and ____ God's word will be ____ and whoever does ____ will be lost.

The Fall & Tower of Babel

Sin of Pride was in which 2 stories?

Bridegroom; bride

Christ is called the_____ and the church is called the____

Transcendent

God is above and beyond all of creation.