Week 1: A Brief Genesis Introduction

Week 1: A Brief Genesis Introduction

          The book of Genesis like most books of the Bible, began as an oral tradition of many stories.  The purpose of this books is to lay the foundation of God's chosen people.  Who they are, where they come from, and how God chose them from among all the peoples of the world.  Although the name Genesis means "genealogical origins" the intent of the author is not to describe the scientific development of the creation of the world and evolution of the species.  As St John Paul II said in his Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1981

"The Bible itself speaks to us of the origin of the universe and its makeup, not in order to provide us with a scientific treatise but in order to state the correct relationship of humanity with God and the universe. Sacred Scripture wishes simply to declare that the world was created by God." 

As Catholics we are still free to look interpret Genesis as a literal completely historically and scientifically literal book (six 24 hour day creation, and humans living for over 900 years, etc) but we are not obligated to do so since the book was not written as a science book. As such I approach the creation narratives as revealing information about God and not so much information about science. The two are complimentary, not opposed.  

Structure:

         The literary structure of Genesis can be separated into 9 parts and I will study these 9 parts over the next 9 weeks as follows:

Authorship: 

          Some believe that Moses wrote down these traditions in the first five books of the Bible called the Pentateuch.  Others believe that the early books of the bible came from four main sources (J, E, P, D) and may have been written down separately prior to the Babylonian exile in 586, but a master redactor from the "P" (priestly) source combined them in the post-exilic period.  I tend to side with the four source theory because each source uses a different form of literature and has a different theology.  This does not mean that Moses could not have written the books using these distinct styles and emphasizing distinct theology within the given paricope (fancy short word referring to short story or section from scripture).  I find it easier to grasp the overall message of the author when I attempt to see the text from their theological point of view.  The four source theory makes it simple to do that.  Whoever the historical author really was this books is still divinely inspired and it reveals much about who God is, his profound love for us, and the great lengths he went through to win our love. 

          The "J" or Yahwistic source is likely the earliest source (some say 10th or 9th century BC).  The Yahwists prefers to use the tetragrammaton (mean "the four letters") YHWH (from "I am that am" Ex 3:14 you may have seen it as Yahweh for pronunciation) when referring to God.  God is anthropomorphic for the Yahwist.  This author stress the experience of a very intimate and personal God. 

          The "E" or Elohist source (probably after the J source sometime around 9th century BC) is much like the Yahwist source but this source overwhelmingly prefers to use the name Elohim (means "God") for God.  For the Elohist God appears in dreams and prophecy is of great concern.  Great stress on morality and emphasizes role of Jacob and covenant over kingship. 

          The "D" or Deuteronomic (likely written around 8th or 7th century BC) source is found primarily in the book of Deuteronomy.  The experience of revelation for this source is the covenant of love with God, the emphasis on family, and the centralization of sacrifice and worship.

          The "P" or Priestly source was probably the last contributing source and is the easiest to recognize (some say as late as 6th century BC or as early as 8th century).  The author had a very dry and formulaic style emphasizing ritual observance, dates, numerology, ritual purity and holiness.  The revelation to this author seems to be the supremacy of God and the utter unworthiness of humanity.  Often God can seem less intimate and even distant in the priestly source.  Some think that it was a priest who acted as the redactor for the four sources combining them in a beautiful single narrative.   

          If it helps better understand the passage I will attempt to cite the source as we come across it by using the letter associated with the source.  If you believe that Moses wrote it at different times in his life then later redacted it into a single narrative himself then simply consider the labeled source letters as reflecting that particular emphasis that he was attempting to make.

Themes in the Book

          Genesis is a fairly long book and follows the stories of many different people, but there are some central themes in the book that stick out.  There is an emphasis that God is creator of a good creation, but it was that creation (particularly humans) who constantly break relationship with him.  But God does not break his relationship with us, rather he pursues us through covenants he makes with those who were open to encountering his presence.  

The Commentary on Genesis 1:1-2:3 will follow before Friday.