In the Beginning...

 Ever since the Enlightenment, there has been controversy surrounding the primeval narratives in the Biblical corpus.  Usually, the questions involved have to do with whether the texts of Genesis 1-11 should be taken "literally" or "scientifically" or "historically".  Quite frankly, what one reads in these early chapters of the most significant piece of literature in world history doesn't fit well with what we know of modern science or history, though from a literary perspective, these dense narratives are far deeper than they've been credited by some modern critics. The heart of this controversy, if one can call it that, has to do with modern and ancient world views and genres of literature.  If a modern reader can imagine the cultural, historical, sociological, and philosophical perspectives of the writers and editors of these ancient texts, one comes away with a great appreciation for their depth and profundity.  But if, like some "fundamentalists" (whether of the religious or materialist atheist perspective), one is primarily interested in answering either scientific or historical questions, you've come to the wrong place and have brought the wrong kinds of questions to this writing. 

The writers and editors (yes there were multiple people over many centuries involved with the oral recitation, writing, compiling, and editing process of Genesis-Deuteronomy {if not also 1 Samuel - 2 Kings & ff}) of these compelling narratives were completely unaware of modern notions of science.  Therefore, it is anachronistic to approach these texts as works of science.  And even the ancient notion of history differed from our own modern notion of the "art" of historical writing.  These old stories were not meant to be understood as historical, in the modern sense of the word, as that discipline had not yet been developed.  

So, what kind of literature are we engaging with in Genesis 1-11?  We have established that it is not scientific literature.  We have also established that it is not historical literature (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, and Noah were not historical figures...sorry!).  In short, Genesis 1-11 is mythic literature, but not mythic as many imagine.  Every people, tribe. language, and nation are founded upon myths.  Myths are the most true things that describe a people - their origin, their "history", and their significance.  Myths may not give us scientific or (modern) historical descriptions, but they give us the truest form of reckoning with who we are, where we have come from, and where we might go in the future.  They are deeper stories than the shallow descriptions that both modern science and modern history tell. 

Over the next few weeks, I plan to explore the primeval narratives (Genesis 1-11) from their cultural, literary, and theological context.  They are the foundation for the greatest story ever told (Genesis chapter 1 through Revelation chapter 22).  And I believe that they are the foundation for who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.  I hope you'll join me for this epic ride! - Shay