BIBL 410
Stacy Ghere
BIBL 410-D02
3/23/2020
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 1
An Introduction to Genesis/Days of Creation
1. What is the Documentary Theory?
In Chapter 1 of “Paradise to Prison” it explains the Documentary Theory to be the belief
that there were multiple sources to the authorship of the book of Genesis outside of
Moses. It went from a two sources and developed into a four or more sources that were
considered to contribute to the text. This theory dates the authorship of Genesis past the
time of Moses. (Davis, p. 21-22)
2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory.
A 17th century philosopher, Spinoza sparked doubts with what is known as “higher
criticism” of the bible through a deeper internal analysis of the text. Jean Astruc was a
French physician that became the first one to isolate documentary sources for the
Pentateuch. His findings uncovered two sources which differed with the preference of the
use of Elohim and YHWH to reference God. (Davis, p. 21)
3. What reasons does Davis give to refute this theory?
First, Davis discusses the issue of the use of divine names and that no other religious
document from that time nor location of the Middle East was validated with this type of
consideration. He references the how divine names in other texts, like Gligamesh Epic,
were interchangeable in use. Secondly, he disputes the use of differeing styles and
vocabulary used throughout Genesis as a indicator of differing sources. He sites that
many writers have various styles of writing depending on what they are expressing and to
whom. Thirdly, Davis points out that the documents that comprise Genesis have not been
able to be accurately dated. (Davis, p. 22)
4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The most important reference that Davis cites as external evidence for Mosaic authorship
of Genesis is Joshua 1:7, 8. It is hear that the “the book of the law” is mentioned. Davis
states “This phrase indicates that the Torah had already appeared in literary form and was
accepted as the Word of God revealed” (Davis, p. 23). Joshua was expected to meditate
and obey this text and like many others after him, identitified it as the authoritative Word
of God.
Davis also identifies scriptures that confirm Mosiac authorship, such as: Exodus 17:14
“The Lord then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to
Joshua.”, 24:4 “And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord.”, 34:27 “The Lord also
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
said to Moses, ‘Write down these words, for I have made a convenant with you and with
Israel based on these words”. Davis also points to Numbers 33:1,2 and Deuteronomy
31:9.
The New Testatment also verifies Mosaic authorship, to which many scripture references
came directly from Jesus. Davis highlights Mark 12:26, when Jesus address the
Sadducees with “Have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto
him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”.
Davis poses the question of whether Jesus himself was affirming the authorship to be that
of Moses or if he was just going along with the error. Davis also affirms that the Jews of
Palestine reflect their unanimous belief through “the Samaritan Pentateuch, the
Palestinian Talmud, the Babylonian Talmud, the Apocrypha, and the writings of both
Philo and Josephus” (Davis, p. 24).
5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship.
Davis states the examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship can be found with
the Pentateuch through customs, literary forms, language used, and the unity of the text.
He notes that the author not only was familiar with the desert environment, but must have
authored the text while there. Based on the details presented in the Pentateuch it could be
assumed that the author was an eye witness to the accounts expressed throughout the text.
It would also appear that the author would have known key facts about Egypt because of
the Egyptian words and names used, animals found in that region, and geographical
details expressed. The convenant forms that can be found in the Pentatech have been
dated in the 2nd millennium in both form and style. Moses education and Egyptian
upbringing would have afforded him the intellect and the capability to be the author of
the Genesis. (Davis, p. 25)
6. Does any one specific evidence stand out to you more than the rest? Which one?
Why?
The prodiment evidence of Mosaic authorship of the book of Genesis would most
certainly be the recognition made by Jesus Christ. Jesus being God in the Flesh, who also
was present at the time of creation would certainly know the truth of authorship of the
text. To have made had made any other claim outside the truth would go completely
against the nature of God himself. (Davis, p. 25)
7. Is it important to know exactly how old the earth is? Why or why not?
It is not important to know exactly how old the earth is. It is more important to know the
one true God that is introduced through the book of Genesis (Davis, p. 27)
8. What is considered the most important purpose of Genesis? Why?
Genesis establishes the convenant relationship God has established with man. The text
introduces the God’s attributes of being holy and sovereign, full of majesty and power.
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
Man can then identify the relationship between the Creator and the creation. (Davis, p.
27)
9. Discuss how Genesis is relevant for today.
Genesis reveals the convenant relationship with God established through Abraham, the
promise to redeem, rescue, and restore the relationship God desires to have with his
creation even today. The text explains how the relationship was broken and signifies the
prevelance of a savior, laying the foundation to mans existence. (Davis, p. 27-28)
10. What does the use of the “waw consecutive” normally describe?
The “waw-consecutive” normally describes sequential acts, especially in prose. (Davis, p.
44)
11. The qal stem of the term “bara” is used exclusively in the Old Testament for what?
The qal stem of the term “bara” is used to show God’s activity. The subject of the verb in
never man. (Davis, p. 40)
12. Summarize the main thought of the Gap Theory.
The Gap Theory, described as the ruin-reconstruction theory, identifies an indefinite time
gap between the 1st and 2nd verses in Genesis 1. This theory indicated that in the “dateless
past God created a perfect heaven and earth” and suggests that the earth was inhabited by
a pre-Adamic race, ruled by Satan who dwelt in the garden. Satan’s prideful desire to
become like God caused him to rebel, which in turn caused sin to enter into the world.
God’s judgement is witnessed in the account of the great flood recorded in the time of
Noah, which then led to a global ice age. Science has indicated that the plants, animals,
and human fossils were not genetically related to those that are present on earth today.
(Davis, p. 43)
13. Give evidences against the Gap Theory.
There is no scientific or geological evidence that can confirm that Earth had experienced
two global catastrophes. The Hebrew grammar does not allow a “distinction in the
meaning and function between the two principal verbs meaning ‘create’” (Davis, p. 43).
The word “bara” refers specifically to God’s activity and “asa” refers to the same activity,
which is the point at this the theory would either stand or fall. Davis points outthat the
second verse begins with a disjunctive “waw”, which would introduce a circumstantial
clause, not a a “waw” consecutive, which would indicate a sequential narrative. “Another
major argument for the gap theory is that darkness always symbolizes sin and judgment”
(Davis, p. 45). The claim is the God identified the light as good and the darkness a result
of the God’s judgement against Satan and his angels. However, in Genesis 1 both
darkness and light were deemed to be good for man.
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
14. List several ways the biblical view of creation is different from the Babylonian view.
A significant difference between a biblical view and the Babylonian view is that the Bible
identifies one true God (monothesistic), while the Babylonian view claims multiple Gods
(polythesistic). The Babylonian view says that matter is eternal, where the Biblical view
says that matter and spirit are distinguished. The Babylonian view believes that man was
created by two Gods named Mardul and Ea, from the defeated god named Kingu. The
biblical view says that man was created by one God, in his image and after his likeness.
The Babylonian view says that man was created with an evil tendency, while the Biblical
view states that man was initially created without a moral blemish. (Davis, p. 71)
15. List several ways the biblical view of creation is similar to the Babylonian view.
There are similarities to both the Biblical and Babylonian views. Water was mentioned as
the orginal mass of material. Both mention two bodies of water that were separated by a
firmament. They were both divided into seven parts: Babylonians used seven tablets,
while the Bible speaks of seven days of creation. The beginning of life starts with a living
deity, many gods for the Babylonians and one God for the Bible. Both texts indicate that
the heavens, Earth, and the firmament were created before man. (Davis, p. 71)
16. Describe two ways how “day” is interpreted other than a literal 24-hour day.
The “Day-Age Theory” says that the days of creation were long periods of an indefinite
duration. This theory attempts to correlate the geological ages with the seven days in
Genesis 1, interpreting these days metaphorically rather than literally. The contension is
that the expression “evening and morning” is a figure for “beginning and ending”. The
belief is that the creative works of the six days seem to require more that a 24 hour
period. Also, the law of limitation of solar measure was not established untilthe fourth
day, so days of creation could well have been much longer than 24 hours. (Davis, p. 51)
The “Revelatory Day Theory” suggests that the days mentioned in Revelation were not
days of creation, but day of revelation. This theory states that days are a mean of
communicating to man the great fact that God is creator of all. Those that back this theory
point to the fact that God reveals unknown future events through visions, therefore it
would only make sense that He would reveal the unknown past by these same means.
(Davis, p. 51-52)
17. Why do some feel the need to interpret “day” other than a literal 24-hour day?
The alternative theories have been formed in response to the pressure of the scientific
opinion. (Davis, p. 54)
18. How are the first three days of creation related to the second three?
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
Stacy Ghere
BIBL 410-D02
3/23/2020
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 1
An Introduction to Genesis/Days of Creation
1. What is the Documentary Theory?
In Chapter 1 of “Paradise to Prison” it explains the Documentary Theory to be the belief
that there were multiple sources to the authorship of the book of Genesis outside of
Moses. It went from a two sources and developed into a four or more sources that were
considered to contribute to the text. This theory dates the authorship of Genesis past the
time of Moses. (Davis, p. 21-22)
2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory.
A 17th century philosopher, Spinoza sparked doubts with what is known as “higher
criticism” of the bible through a deeper internal analysis of the text. Jean Astruc was a
French physician that became the first one to isolate documentary sources for the
Pentateuch. His findings uncovered two sources which differed with the preference of the
use of Elohim and YHWH to reference God. (Davis, p. 21)
3. What reasons does Davis give to refute this theory?
First, Davis discusses the issue of the use of divine names and that no other religious
document from that time nor location of the Middle East was validated with this type of
consideration. He references the how divine names in other texts, like Gligamesh Epic,
were interchangeable in use. Secondly, he disputes the use of differeing styles and
vocabulary used throughout Genesis as a indicator of differing sources. He sites that
many writers have various styles of writing depending on what they are expressing and to
whom. Thirdly, Davis points out that the documents that comprise Genesis have not been
able to be accurately dated. (Davis, p. 22)
4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The most important reference that Davis cites as external evidence for Mosaic authorship
of Genesis is Joshua 1:7, 8. It is hear that the “the book of the law” is mentioned. Davis
states “This phrase indicates that the Torah had already appeared in literary form and was
accepted as the Word of God revealed” (Davis, p. 23). Joshua was expected to meditate
and obey this text and like many others after him, identitified it as the authoritative Word
of God.
Davis also identifies scriptures that confirm Mosiac authorship, such as: Exodus 17:14
“The Lord then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to
Joshua.”, 24:4 “And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord.”, 34:27 “The Lord also
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
said to Moses, ‘Write down these words, for I have made a convenant with you and with
Israel based on these words”. Davis also points to Numbers 33:1,2 and Deuteronomy
31:9.
The New Testatment also verifies Mosaic authorship, to which many scripture references
came directly from Jesus. Davis highlights Mark 12:26, when Jesus address the
Sadducees with “Have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto
him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”.
Davis poses the question of whether Jesus himself was affirming the authorship to be that
of Moses or if he was just going along with the error. Davis also affirms that the Jews of
Palestine reflect their unanimous belief through “the Samaritan Pentateuch, the
Palestinian Talmud, the Babylonian Talmud, the Apocrypha, and the writings of both
Philo and Josephus” (Davis, p. 24).
5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship.
Davis states the examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship can be found with
the Pentateuch through customs, literary forms, language used, and the unity of the text.
He notes that the author not only was familiar with the desert environment, but must have
authored the text while there. Based on the details presented in the Pentateuch it could be
assumed that the author was an eye witness to the accounts expressed throughout the text.
It would also appear that the author would have known key facts about Egypt because of
the Egyptian words and names used, animals found in that region, and geographical
details expressed. The convenant forms that can be found in the Pentatech have been
dated in the 2nd millennium in both form and style. Moses education and Egyptian
upbringing would have afforded him the intellect and the capability to be the author of
the Genesis. (Davis, p. 25)
6. Does any one specific evidence stand out to you more than the rest? Which one?
Why?
The prodiment evidence of Mosaic authorship of the book of Genesis would most
certainly be the recognition made by Jesus Christ. Jesus being God in the Flesh, who also
was present at the time of creation would certainly know the truth of authorship of the
text. To have made had made any other claim outside the truth would go completely
against the nature of God himself. (Davis, p. 25)
7. Is it important to know exactly how old the earth is? Why or why not?
It is not important to know exactly how old the earth is. It is more important to know the
one true God that is introduced through the book of Genesis (Davis, p. 27)
8. What is considered the most important purpose of Genesis? Why?
Genesis establishes the convenant relationship God has established with man. The text
introduces the God’s attributes of being holy and sovereign, full of majesty and power.
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
Man can then identify the relationship between the Creator and the creation. (Davis, p.
27)
9. Discuss how Genesis is relevant for today.
Genesis reveals the convenant relationship with God established through Abraham, the
promise to redeem, rescue, and restore the relationship God desires to have with his
creation even today. The text explains how the relationship was broken and signifies the
prevelance of a savior, laying the foundation to mans existence. (Davis, p. 27-28)
10. What does the use of the “waw consecutive” normally describe?
The “waw-consecutive” normally describes sequential acts, especially in prose. (Davis, p.
44)
11. The qal stem of the term “bara” is used exclusively in the Old Testament for what?
The qal stem of the term “bara” is used to show God’s activity. The subject of the verb in
never man. (Davis, p. 40)
12. Summarize the main thought of the Gap Theory.
The Gap Theory, described as the ruin-reconstruction theory, identifies an indefinite time
gap between the 1st and 2nd verses in Genesis 1. This theory indicated that in the “dateless
past God created a perfect heaven and earth” and suggests that the earth was inhabited by
a pre-Adamic race, ruled by Satan who dwelt in the garden. Satan’s prideful desire to
become like God caused him to rebel, which in turn caused sin to enter into the world.
God’s judgement is witnessed in the account of the great flood recorded in the time of
Noah, which then led to a global ice age. Science has indicated that the plants, animals,
and human fossils were not genetically related to those that are present on earth today.
(Davis, p. 43)
13. Give evidences against the Gap Theory.
There is no scientific or geological evidence that can confirm that Earth had experienced
two global catastrophes. The Hebrew grammar does not allow a “distinction in the
meaning and function between the two principal verbs meaning ‘create’” (Davis, p. 43).
The word “bara” refers specifically to God’s activity and “asa” refers to the same activity,
which is the point at this the theory would either stand or fall. Davis points outthat the
second verse begins with a disjunctive “waw”, which would introduce a circumstantial
clause, not a a “waw” consecutive, which would indicate a sequential narrative. “Another
major argument for the gap theory is that darkness always symbolizes sin and judgment”
(Davis, p. 45). The claim is the God identified the light as good and the darkness a result
of the God’s judgement against Satan and his angels. However, in Genesis 1 both
darkness and light were deemed to be good for man.
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
, BIBL 410
14. List several ways the biblical view of creation is different from the Babylonian view.
A significant difference between a biblical view and the Babylonian view is that the Bible
identifies one true God (monothesistic), while the Babylonian view claims multiple Gods
(polythesistic). The Babylonian view says that matter is eternal, where the Biblical view
says that matter and spirit are distinguished. The Babylonian view believes that man was
created by two Gods named Mardul and Ea, from the defeated god named Kingu. The
biblical view says that man was created by one God, in his image and after his likeness.
The Babylonian view says that man was created with an evil tendency, while the Biblical
view states that man was initially created without a moral blemish. (Davis, p. 71)
15. List several ways the biblical view of creation is similar to the Babylonian view.
There are similarities to both the Biblical and Babylonian views. Water was mentioned as
the orginal mass of material. Both mention two bodies of water that were separated by a
firmament. They were both divided into seven parts: Babylonians used seven tablets,
while the Bible speaks of seven days of creation. The beginning of life starts with a living
deity, many gods for the Babylonians and one God for the Bible. Both texts indicate that
the heavens, Earth, and the firmament were created before man. (Davis, p. 71)
16. Describe two ways how “day” is interpreted other than a literal 24-hour day.
The “Day-Age Theory” says that the days of creation were long periods of an indefinite
duration. This theory attempts to correlate the geological ages with the seven days in
Genesis 1, interpreting these days metaphorically rather than literally. The contension is
that the expression “evening and morning” is a figure for “beginning and ending”. The
belief is that the creative works of the six days seem to require more that a 24 hour
period. Also, the law of limitation of solar measure was not established untilthe fourth
day, so days of creation could well have been much longer than 24 hours. (Davis, p. 51)
The “Revelatory Day Theory” suggests that the days mentioned in Revelation were not
days of creation, but day of revelation. This theory states that days are a mean of
communicating to man the great fact that God is creator of all. Those that back this theory
point to the fact that God reveals unknown future events through visions, therefore it
would only make sense that He would reveal the unknown past by these same means.
(Davis, p. 51-52)
17. Why do some feel the need to interpret “day” other than a literal 24-hour day?
The alternative theories have been formed in response to the pressure of the scientific
opinion. (Davis, p. 54)
18. How are the first three days of creation related to the second three?
This study source was downloaded by 100000808701186 from CourseHero.com on 06-18-2022 19:46:56 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/58823786/Wk-1-Study-Questionsdocx/
