Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Ishnian" <ishinan AT comcast.net>]

From: Rolf 
To: Ishnian ; b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org 
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 1:05 AM
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] ] A VISUAL EXPRESSION OF A THEOLOGICAL IDEA OF 
THESKY/HEAVEN ( Rolf's Response 4)


Dear George,

I do not want to discuss the age of the earth. My words were that the 
creation of the earth is undated in the text, and therefore the text does not 
contradict the ages given by different scientists. My point was that the 
creation account do not start with chaos, and that the words of Genesis 1:1-2 
are not mythical, but they accord with modern science.  I will say that the 
same is true for the whole creation account in Genesis 1 and 2. it can be 
given an interpretation that accords with scientific finds, and no part of it 
needs to be mythical.

There is one exception, though. The creation by God is a metaphysical 
proposition, and metaphysics is a priori excluded in a scientific 
explanation. If theologicans follow this stirct scientific principle, the 
creation must be viewed as mythological before we start examining it.

I am aware that b-hebrew primarily is a forum for the discussion of the 
Hebrew text and its meaning. And a discussion of the creation account in 
Genesis 1 and 2 with the question whether it is mythical or not, should of 
course be centered around the meaning of the Hebrew words.


Best regards,


Rolf Furuli
Stavern
Norway




Best regards,


Rolf Furuli
Stavern
Norway



Onsdag 5. September 2012 22:53 CEST skrev George Athas 
<George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>:


  Let's avoid getting into discussions of science and the age of the earth 
here. B-Hebrew isn't a forum for that discussion, interesting though it is.

  Ishinan, I think you've slightly misunderstood Jerry's post. He is arguing 
that Gen 1 specifically envisions a situation of chaos/disorder/vacuum (תהו 
ובהו) from which God creates an orderly universe. This is not to deny that 
there are other texts in the Hebrew Bible that see a creatio ex nihilo, but 
Gen 1 may not be one of those texts.


  GEORGE ATHAS
  Dean of Research,
  Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
  Sydney, Australia