where did the 7 day week come from?

[OldWiseGuy]

You do know that there are creation stories that predate Genesis that also contain similar references? For example, the Babylonian creation story mentioned above also describes creation over a period of 7 days. As a written record, it came before Genesis.

There are a lot of parallels between older creation stories and what is written in Genesis, suggesting that the authors of Genesis took inspiration from earlier creation accounts.

Or vice versa.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Or vice versa.

How could an earlier story take inspiration from a later story? You're claiming that today I can borrow from the story you will write next week. That's a really silly suggestion.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

It's the authorized version.



But those people drowned. How did they pass the knowledge on?

I'm afraid you are mistaken.

On a lighter, but relevant note:

Sumerians Look On In Confusion As God Creates World

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How could an earlier story take inspiration from a later story? You're claiming that today I can borrow from the story you will write next week. That's a really silly suggestion.

Moses didn't write it as a news story, but as history.

 

[Speedwell]

Moses didn't write it as a news story, just history.

Is that all it is to you? Just history?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I'm afraid you are mistaken.

On a lighter, but relevant note:

Sumerians Look On In Confusion As God Creates World

Perhaps the timeline and influence of Sumer is a bit overblown.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Is that all it is to you? Just history?

Changed "just" to "but".

 

[pitabread]

Perhaps the timeline and influence of Sumer is a bit overblown.

Or perhaps the creationist interpretation of the world's history is a bit overblown.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Or perhaps the creationist interpretation of the world's history is a bit overblown.

Let's agree that we don't actually know for sure, but we have our beliefs.

 

[Speedwell]

Changed "just" to "but".

I was always taught that "history" was the least important thing about those stories.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I was always taught that "history" was the least important thing about those stories.

History is the basis for all other meanings.

 

[Speedwell]

History is the basis for all other meanings.

How do you reach that conclusion?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How do you reach that conclusion?

Biblical metaphors are built on events that are deemed actual. Without the flood story there would be no spiritual lessons drawn from it.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Biblical metaphors are built on events that are deemed actual. Without the flood story there would be no spiritual lessons drawn from it.

So did the prodigal son story happen, or not? What about the other parables?

Can one not draw lessons from The Great Gatsby or the Lord of the Rings?

Manifestly, metaphors need not be backed up by actual events.

 

[Speedwell]

Biblical metaphors are built on events that are deemed actual. Without the flood story there would be no spiritual lessons drawn from it.

Without divine authorship there would be no spiritual lessons to be drawn from it. The literary genre doesn't particularly matter.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

So did the prodigal son story happen, or not? What about the other parables?

Can one not draw lessons from The Great Gatsby or the Lord of the Rings?

Manifestly, metaphors need not be backed up by actual events.

Actual events have more import.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Without divine authorship there would be no spiritual lessons to be drawn from it. The literary genre doesn't particularly matter.

Are you saying that God also authors fiction, then directs spiritual principles from them?

 

[Tinker Grey]

Actual events have more import.

That's not what you said.

Biblical metaphors are built on events that are deemed actual. Without the flood story there would be no spiritual lessons drawn from it.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Are you saying that God also authors fiction, then directs spiritual principles from them?

If there were a god, why not? Again, prodigal son? Indeed, one might say Jesus (atheist caveats) told a fictional story (bunches of them) with the intent of spiritual principles.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

If there were a god, why not? Again, prodigal son? Indeed, one might say Jesus (atheist caveats) told a fictional story (bunches of them) with the intent of spiritual principles.

Or he borrowed a common story from real life, such as the "sower" parable. I'm sure that farming was a real activity then. Most of his parables were instantly recognized as common events.