Subject: Genesis Creation, a practical example? |
Bible Note: Clarification.................................. Dear Tim, I wish that I could explain better why the Genesis Creation is poetry. However, I am not anywhere near an expert on this subject. My only knowledge is based upon a lecture given many years ago by an Old Testament professor at a Christian college. He had many complicated reasons how it fit with an ancient form of poetry based on many things (not just the use of days). It was a completely foreign kind of poetry from what we use today (ie. it didn't rhyme, or even have a very good flow to it). The style was not as important as particular content that was required for it to qualify as poetry. My opinion was that it stunk, and I'd never write a love poem to my wife like that. But that's beside the point. Suffice it to say, that I respected this professor's knowledge of ancient languages and cultures, and have nothing to contradict his reasoning that the account was poetry. Yet at the same time, I disagree with his interpretation of much of pre-Abrahamic Genesis. He did not believe in a 6-day creation (or a worldwide flood for that matter). P.S. I'm sorry for picking the hardest example. I only choose the Genesis Creation, because, I know that there are some on this forum who interpret it figuratively while interpreting other passages literally. |