In the book of Genesis there are two definable superscriptions of creation that occur within the first three segments. Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Genesis 2:4b-3:24 can be viewed and contrasted separately as two different creation theories conveying both similar and different aspects of creation. Both theories of creation are written in a formal writing style and told from a third person narrative account. Statements of facts and dialogue can be found throughout both Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Genesis 2:4b-3:24. Another similarity I found in the two creation stories is that God created both men and women.
One difference between the two stories is in the first creation theory God, made humankind in his image, to hold dominion over the fishes of the sea and all other wild animals. In the second story of creation, God cre
...ated man out of the dust of the earth and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. An additional difference between the two stories occurs in the first creation when God created humankind last after he created: the heavens and the earth, night and day, the seasons, vegetation, great sea monsters and every living creature that moves.
In the second creation, God created humankind first before there was any vegetation or wild animals inhabiting the earth. Another difference I found in the two historical accounts is the role that God intends humankind to play in the world. In the first creation the role of man was to be fruitful, multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it, and to hold dominion over the animals that inhabit the land. In the second creation theory, the role of humankind was to till the land an
maintain the upkeep of the Garden of Eden, and to eat freely from every tree except the tree of knowledge.
Another noticeable difference is the way God introduced the animals into the earth. In the first creation theory, God put wild animals on earth to be held under the dominion of humankind. In the second creation theory, God introduced the animals of the wild as a partner to man and for him to name each of them rather than control or watch over them. In the first creation story, God is portrayed as a divine creator opposed to the second creation story portraying God more anthropomorphically.
One defining point that proves this to be evident is the way it is described in the second creation theory when God breaths the breath of life into the nostrils of man. Further differences that I found to be evident between the two creation theories is the is the fact that in the first story, the main focus of creation is the origin of the world and its surroundings with specific and detailed accounts of God’s creations.
In the second creation story the main focus of creation is the origin of humankind, with a less detailed yet more general facets of what is being created. These many prominent differences between the two creation theories prevent me from believing that the two accounts could be combined into one logical, consistent historical account. The two stories do in fact have some sort of historical ties, but the characteristics of both stories do not have enough similarities to conclude that they could be portrayed as one historical event.
Bibliography Holy Bible
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