Lesson Nine: Hebrew Creation Narratives in Jewish and Christian Traditions

LESSON NINE

HEBREW CREATION NARRATIVES IN JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS

Lesson Overview:

The early chapters of Genesis present two accounts of cosmic and human origins in the language and ideas of the ancient Hebrews. This lesson explores the differences between the two historical accounts of creation according to the Jewish and Christian traditions and the literary style of the ancient Hebrew biblical narratives. Key Concepts: cosmic and human origins, foundational Abrahamic religions, biblical allusions, idioms

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

 Read and summarize the main ideas of the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis.  explain terminology associated with the literary elements of biblical text.  distinguish between the figurative and literal textual expressions.  write an effective reflection paragraph on Genesis, Chapters 1-2.  edit writing to correct errors standard English usage.  participate in class discussions.

Learning Outcomes

At the end on this lesson, students will be able to:  demonstrate a general knowledge of the creation narratives in the Book of Genesis.  use terminology associated with the literary elements of biblical text.  distinguish between the figurative and literal textual expressions.  recognize biblical allusions in idiomatic expressions.  write an effective reflection paragraph on a given topic.  edit writing to correct errors standard English usage.  participate in class discussions.

Duration: 3-4 hours

Materials:

 a Hebrew Bible  a computer with internet access, email, and editing capability  video: The Book of Genesis-Part 1

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOUV7mWDI34)  chart (below): An Overview of Genesis, Chapters 1-2  notebook/paper/pen  internet access/e-mail/computer editing ability

Procedure (Assignment one):  Read Genesis, Chapters 1-2 (any translation).  Watch the video: The Book of Genesis-Part 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOUV7mWDI34)  Review the chart of Genesis, Chapters 1-2.  Note details from assigned readings not mentioned on the chart.  Use a dictionary or other credible online sources to define unfamiliar vocabulary terms.  Respond in full sentences to the study questions on the overview chart.  Post questions about the assignment on the discussion board to receive help in completing the assignment(s).  Respond to all study questions related to the lesson.  Respond to the reflection questions in complete sentences.  Edit writing to correct errors.  Post the reflection(s) and extended assignment(s) on the discussion board

Genesis, Chapter 1

Title of the Narrative Literary Themes Plot Summary Study Questions

“The First Creation Account” (Gen. 1:125)  The Origin of the

Universe  Order in Creation  Goodness in

Creation  God’s Sovereignty  The Self Existence of God  Boundaries Genesis means “origins.” The first account of the origin of creation begins with its famous declaration of God creating the heavens and the earth. During the six days of creation, everything that is now a part of the world has its existence from a sovereign God. In a series of affirmations, Genesis declares the goodness of God’s creation. With the creation of humanity as the climax, the work of creation ends. The theme of goodness of creation is central to the Book. 1. What is the state of the earth before the

Creation narrative begins? 2. How does God show

His sovereignty in this narrative? 3. What is “good” about God’s the Creation of the world? 4. How does God set boundaries in His

Creation?

“Humanity  Man Created The high point of this creation 1. In what ways is the

Created” (Gen. 1:2631)

in the Image of God  Equality between

Male and

Female narrative is God’s creation of humanity. It is at this point that the Bible introduces the only creature to bear the image of God. The Hebrew word cited in this passage for “man” is humanity in general, rather than as a male human being. Genesis depicts humanity, male and female, as created in the likeness of God (1:2627). creation of humans the apex of God’s

Creation? 2. Define the use of the expression “man” in the second Creation narrative. 3. Explain the concept of humans created in the “image” of God.

Genesis, Chapter 2

Title of the Narrative Literary Themes Plot Summary Study Questions

“The Second Account of Creation” (Genesis 2)  God’s

Sovereignty  God’s Love for

Humanity  Man-Created in the Image of God  Goodness of

Creation  Orderliness in the

World  Boundaries  The Sabbath The second account of creation (Genesis 2:4b–25) describes how God creates man, and the Garden of Eden. Then, He makes Adam a female companion. In Genesis 2:4b–25, “the LORD God formed man from the dust of the earth. He blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) This anthropocentric account differs from the cosmos centric account in the first narrative. 1. How does the second

Creation narrative differ from the first? 2. What is God’s plan for humans after the

Creation? 3. How does Adam respond to his companion? 4. What is God’s plan for all creation? 5. What does this narrative reveal about

God’s character?

Study Questions

1. What are the two main parts of Genesis, Chapters 1-11? 2. What is the meaning of primeval history? 3. Which of the following is not a part of the Bible’s primeval history? a. the two creation accounts in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2 b. the fall of humanity into sin and punishment in Genesis, Chapter 3 c. the universal flood as punishment for sin d. the scattering of the people in the “Tower of Babel” e. all the above are examples of biblical primeval history.

Are the following statements (A) CORRECT or (B) INCORRECT?

4. Noah is the tenth and last of the pre-Flood patriarchs in the traditions of Abrahamic religions. 5. The antediluvian period is the period chronicled in the Bible between the fall of man and the Genesis flood narrative in biblical cosmology. 6. A deluge is an overflowing of land by water. 7. Genealogy is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. 8. Longevity is a long duration of individual life. 9. A biblical allusion is a very quick or indirect reference to something in the Bible, such as a particular scripture, character, or story. 10. An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. 11. Various people listed in the Bible’s genealogies lived long lives. 12. The name Methuselah is in the fifth chapter of Genesis. 13. Methuselah holds the title of being the oldest-known human (969 years old). 14. “Old as Methuselah” is an idiom used to refer to someone’s old age. 15. Methuselah’s death was antediluvian? 16. “The Mark of Cain” is an idiom that associates one to disgrace or public disapproval over a crime, wrongdoing, personal failure, or controversial behavior. 17. “The Mark of Cain” alludes to the biblical Cain, the oldest son of Adam and Eve who murdered his brother because of jealousy and is cursed by God. 18. To “raise Cain” means to cause trouble, to create a great commotion, or to behave in an uncontrolled, disruptive way. 19. Adam and Eve are the only people who disobey God in the Book of Genesis. 20. The disobedience of humanity toward God is a dominant theme in the Book of Genesis.

For Reflection:

Compare the two accounts of Creation in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2. Find at least three similarities and three differences in the details. Proofread your writing before posting your reflection on the discussion board. Label the reflection: Three Similarities and Differences in the Creation Narrative in the Hebrew Bible.

A Closing Thought:

“In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since.”

― Voltaire