Lecture on Genesis 2-3

August 27, 2012 By 5 Comments
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I have recorded a lecture covering some of the topics I normally discuss in class about  Genesis 2-3, and whether there is one creation account or two. Let me know if you find it interesting/useful, and any and all feedback is appreciated!

Filed Under: Bible, education, Genesis Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments
  • Just Sayin’

    Both of your Genesis mini-lectures are excellent, in my opinion. They’re pitched at just the right level for me, an interested amateur who has made the journey from fundamentalism to progressive evangelicalism (evangelicalism of the non-U.S. variety).

    The sound on the second lecture seems less good than on the first one and I had to hoick my volume up quite a bit to listen to it.

    If I was doing a self-directed educational study on Genesis, a complete set of your lectures on the book would be just the job.

    Am I right in saying that both Elohim and YHWH are translated as LORD in older translations of the Bible? Also, why is it concluded that Genesis 2-3 compositionally predates Genesis 1?

    • http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/ James F. McGrath

      Elohim is translated as “God” in most instances, and YHWH is rendered as “LORD” (all caps).

      On Genesis 2-3 being earlier, that conclusion is drawn in part because of the more explicitly monotheistic (or at least proto-monotheistic) outlook of Genesis 1, and its attribution to what is known as the Priestly source or author, whose work is usually dated to the exilic or post-exilic period, whereas the source to which Genesis 2-3 is usually assigned is dated to sometime in the period of the monarchy.

      • Just Sayin’

        Thanks!

  • lisa

    Any chance of getting this in written format? Loved it-

    • http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/ James F. McGrath

      I’m afraid I don’t have it written out. Sorry! I have been teaching this for so long, I tend not to even use notes other than the outline from my Powerpoint slides. But I have explored many of the details before on this blog, and so you might find at least some of the points covered in writing, with a bit of searching.