Biblical Literature Exam 1 A+
What are the different approaches to studying the Bible? - ✔-We could take a thematic
approach by following key themes throughout the old testament and new...like that of
love or prophecy.
-We could look at major sections, such as the Pentateuch or the Gospels.
-There is the historical approach, following the sequence of historical events portrayed
in the Bible, looking at the various books within that context.
What are the methods and issues in Biblical interpretation? - ✔-The Traditional view:
bible is historical and we must include all the evidence (biggest problem is lack of
evidence, not conflicting evidence)
-Modern View: The Bible is not historical until proven by evidence...they believe that
miracles really can't happen...
The traditional view of God, in contrast to the modern view... - ✔The Traditional view of
God believes He can intervene in space-time history on occasion, and other lesser
spiritual beings can intervene as well. Miracles are to be viewed critically (scientists
can't prove if they're real or not)
The modern view of God believes limited/restricted and that miracles are impossible.
God cannot intervene with space-time history.
Hermeneutics - ✔number of ways to interpret the bible
Who Julius Wellhausen was and what he is known for? - ✔He's known for the JEDP
theory or the Documentary Hypothesis
What does J, E, D, and P stand for? - ✔This is a graphic representation of a modern
assumption of how the OT developed, in contrast to the traditional view.
J: Jahwe= Yahweh E: Elohim (Hebrew word for God) D: Deuteronomy (viewed as a
separate work added at the end) P: written by priests to justify their existence
what type of criticism is JEDP classified as? - ✔"Source criticism" (critically examining
the text to find its literal origins)
The author(s) of the Pentateuch according to the JEDP theory - ✔This theory shows
that Moses could not have written the Pentateuch and that the authors are unknown.
Therefore, what we call the Pentateuch today was a compilation of various documents
from a variety of sources.
What are the various issues that arise surrounding archaeology, dating, history, and
writing in relation to Scripture? - ✔Archeology can't prove the bible. Most ruins, all of the
valuables have been taken. Things deteriorate. If a city was destroyed, it has most likely
been built on top of.
, What are toledots and how do they function in the book of Genesis? - ✔These are
stylistic markers to break the book into sections. This structural indicator clarifies the
author's intention. Often translated as generations. In the book of Genesis, they are
used to lead into a list of descendants and a genealogy follows this introduction.
Cosmology - ✔A description of the origin and structure of the universe
How do the names El and Yahweh show different aspects of God in Genesis 1 and 2,
and which name is associated with which chapter? - ✔⦁ El: used as a "plural of
majesty". Reflects the transcendence of God, His separation from and superiority over
creation. Points out the power and majesty of the transcendent Creator God.
⦁ Yahweh: "to be" "I AM". It denotes the eternally existing quality of God and
emphasizes the personal, eternal, and all-sufficient aspects of God's nature and
character. Shows the relational aspect of God. Points toward the covenant God who is
immanent.
What are the three major views on how to interpret the creation narrative? - ✔-As purely
mythological, poetry in an attempt to explain the origin of the world. Days are simply
literary devices.
- Evolution is a possibility because the Hebrew word for "day" can also mean an
extended period of time. A long period of development that would allow God to use
various tools, such as evolution.
- OR We should take the account as a straightforward presentation. The word day with
a number is used elsewhere in the OT refers only to a literal day.
What are the two key truths to derive from the creation narrative? - ✔1. God created the
universe and He did so in an orderly process.
2. Humankind has been given a key position of responsibility within the created universe
(management and stewardship)
The relationships of creation - ✔-"second creation account"; restatement of certain
aspects of the original account
-Genesis 3 and 4 describe key relationships of the original creation story, shows how
those relationships were broken, and then specifies some of the early consequences of
the breaking of those relationships.
What are some of the aspects of the world as it was originally made? - ✔⦁It had a
temperate climate
⦁Adam and eve had a vegetarian diet
⦁Adam and eve did not fight weeds, thorns, and thistles
⦁Adam and eve had a close relationship with God
⦁Adam and eve had a close relationship with one another
⦁Adam and eve managed only a small portion of the globe
What are the different approaches to studying the Bible? - ✔-We could take a thematic
approach by following key themes throughout the old testament and new...like that of
love or prophecy.
-We could look at major sections, such as the Pentateuch or the Gospels.
-There is the historical approach, following the sequence of historical events portrayed
in the Bible, looking at the various books within that context.
What are the methods and issues in Biblical interpretation? - ✔-The Traditional view:
bible is historical and we must include all the evidence (biggest problem is lack of
evidence, not conflicting evidence)
-Modern View: The Bible is not historical until proven by evidence...they believe that
miracles really can't happen...
The traditional view of God, in contrast to the modern view... - ✔The Traditional view of
God believes He can intervene in space-time history on occasion, and other lesser
spiritual beings can intervene as well. Miracles are to be viewed critically (scientists
can't prove if they're real or not)
The modern view of God believes limited/restricted and that miracles are impossible.
God cannot intervene with space-time history.
Hermeneutics - ✔number of ways to interpret the bible
Who Julius Wellhausen was and what he is known for? - ✔He's known for the JEDP
theory or the Documentary Hypothesis
What does J, E, D, and P stand for? - ✔This is a graphic representation of a modern
assumption of how the OT developed, in contrast to the traditional view.
J: Jahwe= Yahweh E: Elohim (Hebrew word for God) D: Deuteronomy (viewed as a
separate work added at the end) P: written by priests to justify their existence
what type of criticism is JEDP classified as? - ✔"Source criticism" (critically examining
the text to find its literal origins)
The author(s) of the Pentateuch according to the JEDP theory - ✔This theory shows
that Moses could not have written the Pentateuch and that the authors are unknown.
Therefore, what we call the Pentateuch today was a compilation of various documents
from a variety of sources.
What are the various issues that arise surrounding archaeology, dating, history, and
writing in relation to Scripture? - ✔Archeology can't prove the bible. Most ruins, all of the
valuables have been taken. Things deteriorate. If a city was destroyed, it has most likely
been built on top of.
, What are toledots and how do they function in the book of Genesis? - ✔These are
stylistic markers to break the book into sections. This structural indicator clarifies the
author's intention. Often translated as generations. In the book of Genesis, they are
used to lead into a list of descendants and a genealogy follows this introduction.
Cosmology - ✔A description of the origin and structure of the universe
How do the names El and Yahweh show different aspects of God in Genesis 1 and 2,
and which name is associated with which chapter? - ✔⦁ El: used as a "plural of
majesty". Reflects the transcendence of God, His separation from and superiority over
creation. Points out the power and majesty of the transcendent Creator God.
⦁ Yahweh: "to be" "I AM". It denotes the eternally existing quality of God and
emphasizes the personal, eternal, and all-sufficient aspects of God's nature and
character. Shows the relational aspect of God. Points toward the covenant God who is
immanent.
What are the three major views on how to interpret the creation narrative? - ✔-As purely
mythological, poetry in an attempt to explain the origin of the world. Days are simply
literary devices.
- Evolution is a possibility because the Hebrew word for "day" can also mean an
extended period of time. A long period of development that would allow God to use
various tools, such as evolution.
- OR We should take the account as a straightforward presentation. The word day with
a number is used elsewhere in the OT refers only to a literal day.
What are the two key truths to derive from the creation narrative? - ✔1. God created the
universe and He did so in an orderly process.
2. Humankind has been given a key position of responsibility within the created universe
(management and stewardship)
The relationships of creation - ✔-"second creation account"; restatement of certain
aspects of the original account
-Genesis 3 and 4 describe key relationships of the original creation story, shows how
those relationships were broken, and then specifies some of the early consequences of
the breaking of those relationships.
What are some of the aspects of the world as it was originally made? - ✔⦁It had a
temperate climate
⦁Adam and eve had a vegetarian diet
⦁Adam and eve did not fight weeds, thorns, and thistles
⦁Adam and eve had a close relationship with God
⦁Adam and eve had a close relationship with one another
⦁Adam and eve managed only a small portion of the globe
