CompuServe Messages

Much of Genesis matches the mythology of the neighbors of the ancient Hebrews, with differences. One could argue (and many theologians do, although not fundamentalists) that Genesis is the Hebrew's *response* to the religous world views of their neighbors: i.e. while THEY believe THIS, we believe THAT. You can make a nice table: Neighbors Ancient Hebrews ————————————————————————— Polytheism Montheism Creation by Accident/Battle Creation by Choice Good and Evil elements Creation entirely good in creation …and so on… So it wouldn't at all surprise me if the writers of Genesis took a local flood myth, and used it to illustrate a point about their religon. (Which brings up the possible interpretation that Genesis can be _true_, without being _factual_, and the arguement that what's important about Genesis is not its accuracy as a history book, but the meaning behind the "history". But that probably is better discussed on the RELIGON forum) And, if you go with that interpretation, it's an interesting reflection on the cultures around the Hebrews, like the Sumerians: you get to see the Sumerians through the eyes on another culture as well.