analogy/parable/myth

[Ark Guy]

I'm looking for a web site with some sort of authorative explaination of just what the so-called analogy/parable/myth of Genesis is suppose to represent.
By authorative I mean presented by some Theological Seminary, Bible Institute, Denomination, etc.

What does the Dust represent?
What does the rib represent?
What do the six days represent?
What does the seventh day represent?
What does the order of creation represent?
What does the serpent represent?
What does the tree represent?
What does pain in childbirth represent?
What does Cain slaying Able represent?
What does the flood represent?

I think you get the point.

Each so-called analogy should have some biblical reference or fullfillment. I.E.,
GEN 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Could be analogous to Christ defeating Sartan when Christ died on the cross for our sins.

Of course if you can't find a link, your opinions are always welcome. Please present a biblical reference to support your point of view.

 

[seebs]

Well, you got one straight up.

The best place to look for this is probably actually Torah studies; the Hebrews have about a millennium on us in this stuff.

In general, when understanding a story like this, some components are mostly there to make a story out of the claims, and others are actually the claims.

 

[lucaspa]

See Genesis by Nahum Sarna or Bernhard W. Anderson, The Earth Is The Lord's,: An Essay on the biblical Doctrine of Creation, in Is God a Creationist? Edited by Roland Frye, pp. 176-196.

Bernhard Anderson also has books out. This one: Creation Versus Chaos: The Reinterpretation of Mythical Symbolism in the Bible should be just what you want.

Also Understanding the Old Testament (Abridged 4th Edition)also by Anderson

ah, here: http://www.denverseminary.edu/dj/articles2001/0100/0110.php

Anderson is at Princeton Theological Seminary.

 

[lucaspa]

What does the Dust represent?

earth. Adam is Hebrew for Dust.

What does the rib represent?

That men and women are of one flesh. Says so right there. Despite all the differences in psychologies and attitudes. One flesh.

What do the six days represent?
What does the seventh day represent?

They don't "represent" anything in the classical sense. Genesis 1 is structured into a 6 day creation with the 7th day at rest because God had already commanded the Hebrews to keep the Sabbath every 7 days. Remember, Exodus was written before Genesis 1. The Hebrews already knew Yahweh thru the creation of Israel long before they thought of Yahweh as creator of the universe. So the authors made a (to me unnecessary) justification for the Sabbath. God commanded the Sabbath because He created in 6 days and rested on the 7th. I don't see why it wasn't good enough as a Commandment.

What does the order of creation represent?

The best explanation of that I have seen comes from Anderson and Sarna. For this you have to look at the Enuma Elish. The order of creation in Genesis 1 is the order of appearance of the Babylonian gods in the Enuma Elish. The Enuma Elish is online. Look it up for yourself. The waters are separated first because the first gods of Babylon are Tiamet and Apsu, the saltwater and sweetwater oceans. It is their coming together that makes the universe. By separating them Yahweh destroys them as gods.

What does the serpent represent?

Temptation. Duh!

What does the tree represent?

Loss of innocence. Remember, they put on clothes after that? Don't all little kids run around naked and are not ashamed? Don't we have to teach them that this is wrong?

What does pain in childbirth represent?

Nothing. This is just a naive explanation as to why childbirth is painful. Same for the weeds in farming, the loss of legs in the snake, and that humans hate snakes.

What does Cain slaying Able represent?

The murderous tendency of humans. Duh!

What does the flood represent?

That God can destroy the world.

Each so-called analogy should have some biblical reference or fullfillment. I.E.,
GEN 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Could be analogous to Christ defeating Sartan when Christ died on the cross for our sins.

Boy, that is stretching! And you think non-literalists read too much into the text! I'd never think of debasing the text this way.

 

[Talcos Stormweaver]

I find myself in agreement with Lucaspa.