Monday, June 29, 2009

Genesis One and Creation

James Spinti keeps posting great quotes from John Walton's latest book The Lost World of Genesis One. I wish I didn't have so much to read already right now because I would really like to get this book. From the quotes James has offered so far, I think that Walton's perspective on Genesis 1 looks like a valuable contribution to the subject.
Viewing Genesis 1 as an account of functional origins of the cosmos as temple does not in any way suggest or imply that God was uninvolved in material origins—it only contends that Genesis 1 is not that story. To the author and audience of Genesis, material origins were simply not a priority. To that audience, however, it would likewise have been unthinkable that God was somehow uninvolved in the material origins of creation."—The Lost World of Genesis One, page 96 (italics original)
James has more quotes from Walton on the temple, dust, the focus of creation, translation, and what constitutes creation. Can I borrow the book when you're done, James? I guess it is pretty cheap though . . . only $10.88 at Amazon ($3.50 cheaper than Eisenbrauns, James!).

(Also see the recent discussion at New Leaven on the purpose of creation.)

8 comments:

  1. Wow, I didn't realize this had already hit the shelves. So much to read, so little time...

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  2. Doug, thanks for this info. Walton and Merrill are along the same lines here. Functional, indeed!

    I too will have to get this book.

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  3. Wow, creation as temple! That is probably not a new idea, but it is one I will need to get into as I wrestle with Ps 24. Thanks for the book tip.

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  4. I don't know if I should thank you, or what...how about if I more than match that ugly river in Brazil? I just set the price to $10.40. Will that do it? : )

    James

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  5. James, I'd buy it from Eisenbrauns at that price! On the one hand, I prefer to buy from you; on the other, Amazon's often a few dollars cheaper. Grad student budget needs those few dollars.

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  6. Doug,

    Here's the link:
    http://www.eisenbrauns.com/item/WALLOSTWO

    James

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  7. Thanks, James! I took advantage of your generosity and placed my order. I'll try to read it by SBL so I can thank you personally (and buy more books).

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  8. I like the buy more books part : )
    James

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