Extra-Genesis biblical creation references

[Clair B]

Extra-Genesis biblical creation references

• Other references to the creation exist in other books of the bible. Note the similarities of these two, including laying foundations, measurements, line, bases, cornerstones and the allusions to a tent: [UC 9-10]

• Job 38: 4-7

  4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

  5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

  6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

  7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

• Isa. 40: 12, 21-22

  12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

  21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

  22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

[Geoffrey Green]

Not sure what point you are trying to make here.  God's house is a house of order.  All this seems to support that.  Kind of doesn't support the Big Bang theory.

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From: Clair B <cla...@gmail.com>
To: ol...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Fri, February 12, 2010 3:15:07 PM
Subject: [OT] Extra-Genesis biblical creation references

[Clair B]

According to Cassuto, there were other creation epics around when Genesis was put together.  They were written in poetic form.  He believes Job and Isaiah are evidence of this.   Both write about the creation using creation motifs in poetic form, which depict God measuring, building a foundation, spreading a tarp, etc...

That they both use a similar descriptions suggest that understanding was available at the time.

-Clair

[Geoffrey Green]

Gotcha.  My understanding is other cultures as well.  Which begs the question - did the creation occur as described in Genesis and other places, or did one culture liberate from another and modify to meet their needs?

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From: Clair B <cla...@gmail.com>
To: ol...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Sat, February 13, 2010 7:39:54 AM
Subject: Re: [OT] Extra-Genesis biblical creation references

[Clair B]

Geof,

Good question.  I think there were cultural borrowings in all scriptures.  Personally I prefer to view stories in the scriptures metaphorically -- and look to science for a scientific understanding. 

I believe the big bang is how the creation unfolded.  When I read Genesis, I am spiritually moved, and it gives me a template to think about God, our existence and our journey through life.

I think those who insist on literal interpretations, particularly those who continue to honestly explore the roots of their religion, will end up with difficulties.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Geoffrey Green]

I think both are fraught with danger, d/t issues with individual interpretation.  BTW, appreciated your clarification on BS.  My answer to your question comes from a response in a recent priesthood lesson.  "Science is God's way of letting us learn what he already knows.  I also believe that in cultures, as in most of life, we are similar to a spider web.  Nothing happens in isolation.  We use information, note I did not say knowledge, in whatever way suits our needs the best, whether it be varnished or unvarnished.  I believe we have a tendency to varnish things, so it makes us look "more superior" and less dependent on another source and giving them authority, that we may desire.

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From: Clair B <cla...@gmail.com>
To: ol...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Sat, February 13, 2010 9:17:00 AM

[Clair B]

I like the spider-web analogy -- good way to look at things.  The closer, the more influence, the further away, the less.

And varnished vs unvarnished -- also agree.