You may know the biblical story of creation. The Genesis creation account has dominated our shared worldview for almost 19 centuries. The story’s profound impact on theology, beliefs, culture, history and science cannot be overestimated. It continues to influence how people understand the world and their place in it. Some argue that certain interpretations of Genesis conflict with scientific understandings of human development. The Genesis account, interpreted literally, contradicts the theory of evolution and other scientific findings. But how did the author of the Bible arrive at this description? Did they have a model for these cosmogonic myths of human origin and the foundation of the universe? The Genesis account of creation has been seen as remarkably like other ancient Near Eastern creation myths since the end of the 19th century. It now appears that this creation story used a common literary framework, borrowed from earlier Mesopotamian or Egyptian myth literature, that the Israelites would have been familiar with. Gather to analyze these ancient creation origin traditions. Consider connections between the biblical account in the context of other ancient texts. Examine their similarities as well as their differences. Your active participation is invited. Interested in history, literature, the ancient Near East, some or all three? This class is for you!
