Introduction to Genesis, Days of Creation WEEK 1 QUESTION and ANSWERS with all CORRECT SOLUTIONS [GRADED A+]

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 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)