Kion Bolden (L28280435) BIBL 410-D02
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 1
An Introduction to Genesis/Days of Creation
Answer thoroughly the following questions based on this module/week’s Reading & Study
material:
1. What is the Documentary Theory?
Document Theory suggests that there were 4 sources who authored Genesis. Moses was not
the author of Genesis. (Davis, 21-22)
2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory.
Spinoza doubted Mosaic authorship and launched the “higher criticism” of the Bible. Astruc
was the first to isolate documentary sources for the Pentateuch.. (Davis, 20)
3. What reasons does Davis give to refute this theory?
It does not, in this writer’s opinion, solve the problem of Genesis’ origin. Difficulties to
consider are the divine names, style and vocabulary and the documents. (Davis, 22)
4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The Pentateuch contains a number of references to Mosaic authorship of large portions. The
New Testament also holds numerous references that allude to Mosaic authorship, which
includes many direct quotes from Christ. Joshua 1:7-8. Mark 12:26. (Davis, 23)
5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The author’s thorough familiarity of the desert and the presumption that the book was written
while in the environment. Given the innumerable details included in the Pentateuch, the
author must have been an eye withness. Owing to the familiarity with Egyptian names and
fluency of Egyptian words. (Davis, 24)
6. Does any one specific evidence stand out to you more than the rest? Which one?
Why?
Irrefutable evidence is found externally in Mark 12:26 when Jesus is quoted asking the
Sadducees, “have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush,
how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?”
Here, Jesus clearly lets us know who the author of the book is. (Davis, 24)
7. Is it important to know exactly how old the earth is? Why or why not?
No, “Had the author of Genesis intended these genealogies to be used for chronological
purposes, he probably would have provided a numerical summation at the end of each list.”1
(Davis, 28)
8. What is considered the most important purpose of Genesis? Why?
God’s majestic power is expressed in the beauty of creation and the awesomness of divine
judgement. The Book of Genesis is extremely important for modern man’s understanding of
1
John J. Davis (2017). (p. 28). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
A++
WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 1
An Introduction to Genesis/Days of Creation
Answer thoroughly the following questions based on this module/week’s Reading & Study
material:
1. What is the Documentary Theory?
Document Theory suggests that there were 4 sources who authored Genesis. Moses was not
the author of Genesis. (Davis, 21-22)
2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory.
Spinoza doubted Mosaic authorship and launched the “higher criticism” of the Bible. Astruc
was the first to isolate documentary sources for the Pentateuch.. (Davis, 20)
3. What reasons does Davis give to refute this theory?
It does not, in this writer’s opinion, solve the problem of Genesis’ origin. Difficulties to
consider are the divine names, style and vocabulary and the documents. (Davis, 22)
4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The Pentateuch contains a number of references to Mosaic authorship of large portions. The
New Testament also holds numerous references that allude to Mosaic authorship, which
includes many direct quotes from Christ. Joshua 1:7-8. Mark 12:26. (Davis, 23)
5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The author’s thorough familiarity of the desert and the presumption that the book was written
while in the environment. Given the innumerable details included in the Pentateuch, the
author must have been an eye withness. Owing to the familiarity with Egyptian names and
fluency of Egyptian words. (Davis, 24)
6. Does any one specific evidence stand out to you more than the rest? Which one?
Why?
Irrefutable evidence is found externally in Mark 12:26 when Jesus is quoted asking the
Sadducees, “have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush,
how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?”
Here, Jesus clearly lets us know who the author of the book is. (Davis, 24)
7. Is it important to know exactly how old the earth is? Why or why not?
No, “Had the author of Genesis intended these genealogies to be used for chronological
purposes, he probably would have provided a numerical summation at the end of each list.”1
(Davis, 28)
8. What is considered the most important purpose of Genesis? Why?
God’s majestic power is expressed in the beauty of creation and the awesomness of divine
judgement. The Book of Genesis is extremely important for modern man’s understanding of
1
John J. Davis (2017). (p. 28). Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis.
A++
