Theology for the Masses

cheapham March 3rd, 2008

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2

Does the Bible, specifically Genesis 1:1-2, support a doctrine of creatio ex nihilo (creation from nothing)? Would such a doctrine have made sense to ancient Israelites/early Christians? How does Gen. 1:1-2 fit into the schema of it’s contemporary ancient mediterranean understandings of the creation of the world? If something was there, then what was/is it? Further, what is really at stake in the answers to these questions?

I’m currently reading a lot about this in one of my classes and have some thoughts…but I’d like to see what you guys have. Certainly, those familiar with Hebrew could contribute much to our understanding of what the text itself (may) say(s).

• Creationism , Genesis , God , Hermeneutics , Myth , Nature of God , The Bible , Theology , translation issues
• Comments(18)

Honzo January 22nd, 2008

I would like to open up a free for all forum on the topic of the term myth and the ramifications the term has for biblical studies and theology.

Possible conversation starters:

• Can a myth be real? In what sense?
• How did the ancients see history? myth?
• When looking at texts that were written by the ancients, what perspective should we assume? Should we view the texts as they did, or should we approach the text in the same manner as we would one with similar features that was written today? (i.e. it looks like history, it is history)
• What unsaid connotations go along with the word myth? How does this impact
  Is there a difference between myth as a technical term and myth as a popular concept? How does this distinction in the minds of the laity impact scholar’s and theologians use of the term?
• If myth, in its technical usage, is too problematic of a term for use with the laity, what can be done about it? New term? Better educated laity?
• Most importantly, what is at stake in using the term myth?

There are just some starter questions - feel free to address any or none of the points.

• Literature , Myth
• Comments(21)