Genesis And Other Creation Myths

[Theologian in Training]

I also posted this under Open Mic. I am merely looking for resources and nothing more...that is, no arguments, debates, etc.

Before you jump on me about the title, understand that it is for a paper that I have to write for my Pentateuch class. I need to find out where the correlation exists between ancient creation myth narratives and the Pentateuch. In particular, I have to define the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh, Akhenaten's Hymn to the sun, and four other Creation stories that are associated with Egyptian cultic centers.

All i need from you guys are some good resources, net or otherwise on this, and would be much appreicative for it.

Thanks a lot

God Bless

[cmotherofpirl]

When is it due?

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Apr 3 2004, 07:51 PM'] When is it due? [/quote]
Monday...I kinda forgot about it, and now have been doing research all day for it. I have found a lot, and have a basic gist of most of those terms I have to define, but I thought I would just drop it in here to see if any might have some resources that would be helpful.

Don't worry, if you don't have anything, it does not seem that a lot of people either know what I am talking about or know of any readily available resources. In fact, all I know is that the majority of them are ancient Egyptian creation myths that are attributed as being primary sources, at least in part, for the narratives in Genesis. The difference being that Genesis stripped them of their pagan overtones and Christianized them as was common practice. Also, copyright laws did not exist, so they did not need to get permission if they wanted to use other texts.

I know that this may confuse some, which is why I responded in the Debate Table, since I would assume that most here would have some common knowledge of the J,E,P, and D sources as well as understanding inspiration in the Catholic context. However, if this is foreign to whomever reads it, I would ask that they form a new thread to deal with those difficuties as I am not trying to start a biblical exegesis war, but trying to acquire some resources for a paper.

God Bless

[popestpiusx]

[url="http://www.kolbecenter.org"]http://www.kolbecenter.org[/url]
This is pretty good I think.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='popestpiusx' date='Apr 3 2004, 08:17 PM'] [url="http://www.kolbecenter.org"]http://www.kolbecenter.org[/url]
This is pretty good I think. [/quote]
Thank you, though [url="http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/gilgamesh.html"]this[/url] seems to be more what I need. Like I said, I need to define each of these things, and then show how they are relevant to Pentateuchal studies.

Thank you though, I will check this out when I have some time.

God Bless

[willguy]

Can't help you much bro, though I would be interested in seeing what you find. I wouldn't even know where to begin for this.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='willguy' date='Apr 3 2004, 08:42 PM'] Can't help you much bro, though I would be interested in seeing what you find.  I wouldn't even know where to begin for this. [/quote]
Yeah, it is heavy biblical study, which is what we have reached in my Pentateuch class since we have already completed the understanding of convenant theology in light of Scott Hahn's book, and other texts, respectively. We have to read "Who Wrote the Bible? " by Richard Friedman and better understand the Pentateuch in light of the J (Yahwhist) E (Elohist) P (Priestly) and D (Deuteronomic) sources in order to get the historic and scholarly perspective.

Thanks for your concern.

God Bless

[popestpiusx]

Do you believe the JEPD theory? (I'm not trying to start a debate, just curious. NOTE TO ALL: THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO START DEBATE)

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='popestpiusx' date='Apr 3 2004, 09:24 PM'] Do you believe the JEPD theory? (I'm not trying to start a debate, just curious. NOTE TO ALL: THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO START DEBATE) [/quote]
Admttedly, I have struggled a bit in whether or not to accept it, and have even gone beyond our expected research in order to view it fron other perspectives as well. I like some of the things that they have to say about it, and have read some really good analyses about it from Fr. William Most as well as a few Catholic Biblical commentaries. However, I am still unable to make a final judgment with regard to it. So, I guess you can say the jury is still out on this one, and when the jury decides to return I will be sure to let you know as well.

God Bless

[cmotherofpirl]

Theo can you post your paper when done? It sounds very interesting. I haven't studied the Gilgamesh epic in many years.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Apr 3 2004, 09:42 PM'] Theo can you post your paper when done? It sounds very interesting. I haven't studied the Gilgamesh epic in many years. [/quote]
Actually, my paper is supposed to be a tighly compact one page paper defining the above Creation myths and somehow showing their importance in Pentatechual studies. I actually got an email from my professor that I hadn't seen, and it turns out he has provided links to all the material I need. it is now up to me to condense the definitions enough to fit onto one page. I will post my paper, and I will post the links, as they are quite interesting, and would offer someone interested in OT exegesis, Pentateuchal, in particular, many interesting insights.

Right now I am stuck on Baal/Yam-Baal/Mot cycles. Have no idea what these are.


God Bless

[cmotherofpirl]

[url="https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/ane/2003-April/008212.html"]https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/ane...ril/008212.html[/url]

[url="http://www.bibleorigins.net/MapofPihahirothEthamShurYamSuph.html"]http://www.bibleorigins.net/MapofPihahirot...hurYamSuph.html[/url]

[url="http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books/genesis/genesis1_blowing.htm"]http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books...is1_blowing.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.therightchristians.org/archives/week_2003_10_05.html"]http://www.therightchristians.org/archives...2003_10_05.html[/url]

[url="http://www.teol.lu.se/gt/litt/The_Riddle_of_Resurrection.pdf"]http://www.teol.lu.se/gt/litt/The_Riddle_of_Resurrection.pdf[/url]

[url="http://www.angelfire.com/pa/WoundedDove/canaanite1.html"]http://www.angelfire.com/pa/WoundedDove/canaanite1.html[/url]

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Apr 3 2004, 10:24 PM'] [url="https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/ane/2003-April/008212.html"]https://listhost.uchicago.edu/pipermail/ane...ril/008212.html[/url]

[url="http://www.bibleorigins.net/MapofPihahirothEthamShurYamSuph.html"]http://www.bibleorigins.net/MapofPihahirot...hurYamSuph.html[/url]

[url="http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books/genesis/genesis1_blowing.htm"]http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books...is1_blowing.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.therightchristians.org/archives/week_2003_10_05.html"]http://www.therightchristians.org/archives...2003_10_05.html[/url]

[url="http://www.teol.lu.se/gt/litt/The_Riddle_of_Resurrection.pdf"]http://www.teol.lu.se/gt/litt/The_Riddle_of_Resurrection.pdf[/url]

[url="http://www.angelfire.com/pa/WoundedDove/canaanite1.html"]http://www.angelfire.com/pa/WoundedDove/canaanite1.html[/url] [/quote]
The last link was perfect. Thank you.

I did find what I was looking for with him though, it turns out there is also a Baal epic, and that is where the battle between Yam and Mot come into play. I had not known about Asherah, who also happens to be on my list, but thank to that last link I now do.

God Bless

[Laudate_Dominum]

Are you just interested in links? Or are you open to being blasted with an excessive bibliography? I can think of books that apply to this topic, such as Alexander Heidel's "The Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels".

And if you ask me I think that what is more important than the similarities between these things is their differences. This aspect is more interesting to me at least. What sets the Biblical accounts apart, its quite striking and profound really.

God bless.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' date='Apr 3 2004, 10:58 PM'] Are you just interested in links? Or are you open to being blasted with an excessive bibliography? I can think of books that apply to this topic, such as Alexander Heidel's "The Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels".

And if you ask me I think that what is more important than the similarities between these things is their differences. This aspect is more interesting to me at least. What sets the Biblical accounts apart, its quite striking and profound really.

God bless. [/quote]
Whichever you prefer. Also, even though it would be more intresting to focus on their differences, I need to show what relvance they have to Pentateuchal studies. Therefore, highlighting the differences does not really focus on what they have to do with the Pentateuch. Besides, like I said, it has to be one page, so I have to condense definitions and show how they are important to Pentateuchal studies. Therefore, I don't have much room for making points as much as I do in defining and connecting.

Thanks

God Bless