I hate click-baity listicles, especially the ones that make you click for each new picture. So I figured, why not do a click-baity listicle? These are just as likely to help you lose weight as any of those others, even if I don’t offer “this one weird trick.” So, here you go.
- Genesis 1 really likes the number 7. Can you spot all the multiples of 7 in there?
- As we have it today, Genesis 1 is the work of Israelite priests, not Moses.
- Genesis 1 doesn’t portray the creation of a lone human couple but humanity in general.
- The created humans are commanded to be vegetarian.
- The “days” of Genesis 1 are actual 24-hour days but don’t have anything to do with the age of the earth. Indeed, Genesis 1 isn’t even about physical/scientific origins.
- Genesis 1 is only 1 of 3 creation stories/themes in the Old Testament, and they’re far from consistent with each other
- The Bible devotes more than 12x as much space to the story of Joseph in Egypt than to creation in Genesis 1.
I’ll post a follow-up explaining these. In the meantime, they also get explanations and commentary in the books I’ve recommended.
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January 3, 2018 at 12:29 pm
You’ll be amazed by number 4!
January 3, 2018 at 3:24 pm
I just started reading Priestly Vision of Genesis 1, by Mark Smith. I knew most of the items on your list, and after reading chapter 1 of Priestly Vision, I finally understand what you mean with item number 6. Fabulous book so far. Thanks for the recommendation, Ben!
January 3, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Fortunately, modern revelation has allowed us to have a hamburger now and then.
January 7, 2018 at 11:03 am
They are vegetarians while in the Garden of Eden; after they leave the garden they are omnivores! Ever try plowing, planting, and harvesting by hand on a vegetarian diet? Can’t be done. Do you think they offered meat sacrifices and didn’t eat meat? Think again.
January 8, 2018 at 6:09 pm
In Gen 1 the first 3 days could not be “24 hour periods” because there was no sun to count 24 hours with until day 4.
January 9, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Curious to know your evidence for #5.