Monday, September 30, 2013

21 Burning Questions for August-September

Well, things have been a bit hectic around here lately, so much so that I haven't been keeping up with this little nascent endeavor of the mind of mine. But here we are to offer a synopsis of our first few posts and ask the 21 Burning Questions that arose in our research in August & September.

1. Why are there differences between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2?

2. Is Genesis 1/Genesis 2 supposed to be viewed as literal, allegorical or something along the continuum in betwixt the two?

3. When God creates man he does so in "our image" and "our likeness" in Genesis 1 & 2. Does this "our" signify multiple gods or is there something in the Old Testament that is foreshadowing the Trinitarian language of later Christianity? Genesis 3 then has God referring to himself as 'us'. Once again is this some sort of multiplicity of gods, a royal we, a literary device or a reference to the Trinitarianism of Christianity?

4. In Genesis 1/Genesis 2 God creates man in the image of God and in the likeness of God. Is there a difference between the two?

5. What is the difference in defining God in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of Genesis? In Genesis 1 God is simply referred to as God. In Genesis 2 God is referred to as the LORD God. Is there a difference? What significance is there here?

6. Why are religions so similar on certain topics like origin stories?

7. Why did Cain & Abel bring sacrifices in Genesis 4 without prompting?

8. Did Cain's sin come from his order of concerns when he is approached by God about what he has done to Abel?

9. Where are the people coming from that Cain is afraid of when he learns of his banishment?

10. Is there something religious in nature about the mark Cain received in banishment? Is there some notion of God/gods being tied to specific geographical regions and this mark an assurance from God that He is with Cain regardless of where Cain is on this earth?

11. What does the story of Lamech have to do with anything in Genesis 4?

12. Where did Cain's wife come from?

13. Worship began in the time of Enosh according to the geneology in Genesis 4.  If this is true then what were the sacrifices offered by Cain & Abel?

14. What is the significance of "human capital contracts"? What are my thoughts on the ethical nature of these endeavors?

15. Adam's son is made in his own image and his own likeness in Genesis 5. Is there something significant about this language being echoed?

16. What are we to make of the ages of the people mentioned in Genesis 5's genealogical record?

17. What is the significance of Enoch and his walking with God?

18. "Sons of God, daughters of man" were marrying in Genesis 5. What does that mean?

19. What/who are the Nephilim?

20. Why had mankind's inclinations become so evil that God wished to destroy them?

21. What did Noah do in order to find favor with God?

These are the burning questions of August-September. Let us hope that October brings about some burning answers.

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