Supporters of the Documentary Hypothesis draw on quite a few sources as evidence. Firstly, they argue that the use of divine names. The Elohist document refers to God as “Elohim”, while Jahwist refers to God as “Jehovah”. It is argued that this inconsistency signals that Genesis 1 and 2 were written at two different times by two different groups of people. The next argument is the proposed continuous narration in the J document and E document. The fact that these documents can stand alone as their own pieces of literature has the potential to negate the idea that the books were written during the same period, let alone by the same person. The parallel passages also offer a higher critical argument for the Documentary Hypothesis. The “doublet” account of Creation traces Genesis 1 to the Priestly source during or after the Exile and Genesis 2 to the Jahwist source of the 9th century. While the passages seem to be describing the same story, the inconstancies create a problem for single authorship. The lack of continuity in literary style of the Pentateuch also offers evidence for the division into documents. Each document seems to carry its own traits and characteristics that define it from another document. For example, the J document features a much more active God in the Creation story. The E document, alternatively, has a more transcendent quality in how it depicts God’s role in the Creation. The differences in style offer no support that a single author was responsible for
If ten bystanders were to witness the same crime, how many different interpretations of the scene would there be? All the opinions and viewpoints that arise from one scenario are very dependant on different variables. The same can be applied when analyzing the book of Genesis. One controversial topic is whether to take it literally or figuratively. Some of the different arguments supporting and opposing either side include; the original beliefs of the interpreter, the historical time frame, the different genres of writing in the book, and more. There are many perceptions of the book of Genesis being literal or figurative.
To study Genesis in terms of its literary and historical content is not to say that we are in any way being irreverent in our reading of this part of the Old Testament. In other words, it is possible to read Genesis in both a spirit of appreciation for its position as the opening exegetical narrative of the Bible and as a document that reflects literary and historical realities and influences during the time when it was being written down. This paper examines some of the contemporary sources that influenced the two sets of writers who recorded the events of Genesis.
The documentary “Fed Up” provides some important and disturbing details of the food industry. The 1977 heart disease and diet study known as the McGovern Report warned that the obesity rate was increasing rapidly due to American diets in fatty meats, saturated fats, cholesterol, and sugar. The food industry vehemently denied these claims, but the American people still demanded lower fat food products. The food manufacturers found that the fat removal made the food bland and unpalatable so to address this they replaced the fat content with sugar. Both the documentary and the Harvard Nutrition Source discuss the role sugar has in health conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. They both link the consumption of sugar as the causality for
Joseph Blenkinsopp is the most contemporary scholar to date, that debates the highly contested issue of the Documentary Hypothesis. This theory relates to the origins of the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, meaning ‘instruction’, and is part of the Hebrew Bible, including the following five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Documentary Hypothesis questions the authority of the author and source of the Torah. The Documentary Hypothesis is also known as the Julius Wellhausen proposition. This theory essentially proposes the notion that the Torah was actually derived from at least four independent, original narratives that, when combined, make up this one codex. Thus refuting the original and
* Mosaic Authorship * Dating of Genesis * Purpose of Writing * Theological Themes of Genesis
The revelation of the Dead Sea confirmed that the Jewish and Christian researchers who for hundreds of years duplicated, transcribed and passed along the documents that we call the Bible did so devotedly with care and intention. It remains true that we almost definitely do not have any documents or fragments of a manuscript that is the original writing of the document in question. However, it is equally true that
For many, the Hebrew bible is read and accepted without question. It plays a significant role in the practice of many religions and yet not many dare to wonder who wrote such sacred writings that would still be read to this very day. For generations, it was almost unheard of to ask or even fathom the identity of the author. Richard Elliot Friedman, a biblical scholar and graduate from Harvard University, explores, studies, and analyzes the bible to discover who wrote it. Having earned a master degree in theology, B.A degree in Philosophy, and master degree in Hebrew literature, Friedman proves to be a knowledgeable expert in his field of studies. From the years of work he invested into, Friedman aims to provide convincing evidence that the book is written by four persons through historical, archaeological, logical proof.
In closing, the unity of the Biblical text and empirical evidence are two of the most convincing arguments related to the validity of the Bible. Historians cannot ignore the supernatural cohesiveness of the Bible, especially considering the varying biblical contributors. They also cannot neglect the plentiful fulfilled prophecies highlighted throughout the Word. In the end, these are both incredible arguments pointing to the reliability of
Since the 1600’s, Biblical writers, scholars, linguists and interpreters have concluded that the Bible was written by different people, with multiple revelations. The result is a compilation of stories that, in a written format, present the voice of God. The evidence for such a hypothesis is contained in the writing of Carr and Conway’s An Introduction to the Bible, as well as Richard Horsley’s In the Shadow of Empire. Both authors refer to source texts identifying “Yahwistic Sources (J) as a derivative form the German language, and (E) the “Elohistic Source derived from the divine name Elohim, which means ‘god’ in Hebrew” (Carr Pg. 165). The mystery of this name was often considered so
The Dutch documentary Armadillo (2010) directed by Janus Metz Pedersen takes its audience into the world of the platoon of Dutch soldiers as they complete a tour of duty in Afghanistan against the Taliban. Majority of the dialogue in the film was spoken in Dutch, as well as Arabic spoken by the Afghanistan citizens, the use of English subtitles translated for understanding. The documentary begins with 4 men and then the introduction of other comrades, the documentary moves forward as the actions and effects of war is put into focus. This is some of the few decisions made by the film maker, as the message intended for the audience is made through the structure decided by the director. The narrative structure of a documentary can be explained through several modes that can be present within the documentary. Modes include Actuality, Expository, Observational, Rhetoric and Participatory. The use of camera work, editing, and sound can help with the narration and better understanding of the overall documentary. All of the modes, supported by the use of visual and oral techniques, help the director express his perspective of the Dutch troop duty tour of the Afghanistan and the intended message.
Canonization of the Bible was a varied process that occurred over a very long span of time and involved many different scholars, but it resulted in an enduring book to be studied not only as literature, but also as God’s word (“Lecture 2,” 2015). Though the Bible has endured for hundreds of years, there are were and are disagreements about what canon is and research is ongoing.
“The Persuaders” is a 90-minute documentary which draws on experts in and observers of the world of marketing to explore how the culture of marketing influences what Americans buy, how they view the world around them, and their expectation of themselves. The beginning of the film explains how marketers are looking for new ways to increase not the usefulness of a product, but it’s image. Once, advertising showed the public what the product did, but now it persuades them to purchase the identity of the item – what it means to buy or use it. The second half of the film offers insight into how the new ‘identity’ marketing is being applied to politics, and it’s effect on the democratic process.
It is widely accepted through the theological study of the Bible that the gathering and the selection of information included in the final compilation was an extensive and controversial process. Specifically, the events and movements that were influential in the recognition of the canonical books. According to Britannica, the canonical books are recognized as the quintessential corner stone of the New Testament, which also means that they are a foundational part of the current beliefs and practices of most of today’s Christians. Even more important is the process, culmination, and the compilations of events that lead to what Christians currently accept as the Word of God.
For over two thousand years, many people thought the Pentateuch was founded by Moses. (New Jerome 4) Not until sometime in the eighteenth century, however, did Exegetes used the techniques of source criticism and redaction criticism to propose that four authors made the Pentateuch.(smp) The authors are the Yahwist, the Elohist, the Deuteronomist, and the Priestly Writers.(smp) Using the abbreviations of the sources, the Exegetes have called this theory the four-source theory or the JEDP theory. (New Jerome 4) The theory states that each source is by a particular community, not just by one writer. (New Jerome 4)
The Bible is one of the bestselling books in the world, for this reason it is incredibly important for Christians and non-Christians alike to examine the reliability of the text. Because the nature of this paper is rather short, the historical evidence outlined will be brief and not all-inclusive. This paper will examine the writings and thoughts of many great people including Joshua McDowell, J. Walter Wallace and William Craig. For the purpose of clarity when discussing the Bible or Scriptures this paper is referring to the Christian Bible which totals of 66 Books. Additionally, the goal of this paper is not to prove the Bible is the Word of God, a message from God, or inerrant, meaning without error, or even that it is a