Genesis

This marks the first time that I have picked up a bible in my life!

I enjoyed ch1-3 but from ch4 onwards, I found numerous contradictions and/or inconsistencies. This made it really hard to follow the text (especially the genealogy parts).  I understand that the stories within this text were passed down orally, hence when reproduced in written form, gaps in continuity become a prominent feature.  However, that said, I do not understand how anyone can take the bible literally given the numerous inconsistencies within this story. e.g. God said that man would live 120 years yet later in the story, man would live much beyond this age.

I do not fully understand the symbolism within the story, nor am I familiar with biblical knowledge/history but I find it interesting that the serpent is a symbol of evil in Genesis yet in other cultures, the serpent represents something positive.  I wonder if Christianity as it is written in the current form of Genesis co-opts older religions in which the serpent is a positive symbol (e.g. Ouroboros) and changes it into a negative symbol to 'entice' people to embrace Christianity.

The change in tone is also very interesting.  In ch2, nakedness was not something to be ashamed of (25) yet later on, it is. (20-25) Lines from this text have been used by various groups to promote their own cause.  e.g. Nudists using verse 25 to promote their lifestyle noting that this is the way we are supposed to be, as we were in the Garden of Eden.

God in Genesis appears to me to be childish, hateful/vengeful, women-hating.  Stories are always open to individual interpretation, of course. The is no right or wrong (or is there?)  This God seems to seek obedience (or revenge) on mankind by any means necessary!

Genesis is to me many things including:
1. a creation myth (how we have night/day, earth/sky, man/woman, etc.).
2. a myth to justify the "Chosen People" based on the genealogy story.
3. a story to guide gender relations (in favour of men).
4. a story of what we can do to nature and other creatures on earth (some read 'dominion' as the right to conquer.  Others read it as stewardship over earth and its creatures).


After class thoughts: Both reason and passion guide me in spirituality although it may be argued that reason trumps passion in this case.  I find the story of Genesis to be highly convoluted.  I am not able to reason myself into using this text as a philosophy to guide my life.  I think a better understanding of the roots of Genesis and more generally, Christianity would help to alleviate my confusion.  I thought it interesting that the question of whether astronomy and/or astrology factor into the story of Genesis - something that I have never given any thought to.