Genesis

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the creation story/myth as found in the Book of Genesis in the Revised King James Version is one of the most hotly-debated books of the Old Testament. The writer points out that currently, there are two groups of opinion as to the book's authorship, one accepting the suggestion that Moses was the author and/or compiler, the other denying this claim. Generally speaking, the writer maintains that the creation story may have been received as a direct revelation from God; on the other hand, it may be nothing short of an account of creation based on earlier stories. The writer examines two specific accounts of the creation by contrasting and comparing them in order to more fully understand how this story/myth came about, namely, the traditional account of the creation and that traditionally assigned to the priestly writers or scribes, circa 500 to 400 B.C.E. in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

From the Paper:

"Thus, the exact origin of the Book of Genesis remains a mystery."
"Obviously, it is rather difficult to obtain any historical evidence to compare to the Book of Genesis, especially chapters one through eleven, the main body of the creation story/myth. In the creation account as found in the Old Testament, it is not possible to discover exactly how God made man and neither archeology nor anthropology can provide definite answers as to the time, place or means of man's origins as outlined in Genesis."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kvam, K., L. Schearing and V.H. Ziegler. Eve and Adam: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Readings on Genesis and Gender. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999.
• Missler, Chuck. "Genesis 1:1 Refers to God as a Plural Being." Internet. 2007. Retrieved from http://www.direct.ca/trinity/elohim.html.
• Williams, Derek, Ed. New Concise Bible Dictionary. Downer's Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1989.

More papers on Genesis:

• Comparison Essay # 32506 : "Gilgamesh" and "Genesis"
• Analytical Essay # 74232 : "Criticism Of Genesis"
• Comparison Essay # 109009 : "Genesis and Incest"
• Comparison Essay # 74592 : "Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" vs. "Genesis"

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