Genesis
History, Fiction, or Neither?: Three Views on the Bible’s Earliest Chapters
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15
History, Fiction, or Neither?: Three Views on the Bible’s Earliest Chapters
Ratings1
Average rating2
The nature of the Genesis narrative has sparked much debate among Christians. This book introduces three predominant interpretive genres and their implications for biblical understanding. Each contributor identifies their position on the genre or genres of Genesis, chapters 1-11, addresses why their interpretation is respectful of and appropriate to the text, and contributes examples of its application to a variety of passages. The positions include: Theological History(Genesis can be taken seriously as both history and theology) – defended by James K. Hoffmeier. Proto-History (the early Genesis narratives consist of a variety of literary genres; which, nonetheless, do not obscure the book's theological teaching) – defended by Gordon J. Wenham. Ancient Historiography (an understanding of Genesis that seeks to reconcile the limitations of its human authors with the nature of it being the Word of God) defended by Kenton L. Sparks. General editor and Old Testament scholar Charles Halton explains the importance of genre and provides historical insight in the introduction and helpful summaries of each position in the conclusion. In the reader-friendly Counterpoints format, this book helps readers to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed conclusions in this much-debated topic.
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The three views put forth in this book are as follows:
James K. Hoffmeier: Theological History
Gordon J. Wenham: Proto-History
Kenton L. Sparks: Ancient Historiography
All three of these MEN are Evangelical scholars.
Chapter One is “Genesis 1-11 as History and Theology” by James K. Hoffmeier. Hoffmeier holds a literalist view of Scripture and I reject his flat reading of Genesis that tries to treat it as a history or science book.
Chapter Two is “Genesis 1-11 as Protohistory” by Wenham. Wenham has a slightly more nuanced reading of Scripture, acknowledging different literary genres within the text, but he rejects the term “myth” for any part of Genesis. He argues that the purpose of the text is to provide theological truths. Wenham uses the term “protohistory” to categorize Genesis, explaining that “proto” refers to origin stories meant to explain why things are the way they are.
Chapter Three is “Genesis 1-11 As Ancient Historiography” by Sparks. I agree much more with Kenton L. Sparks who says much of Genesis is unhistorical and mythic. He talks about the Documentary Hypothesis. He points out how science and modern approaches do not support a literal global flood or the events described in the story of the Tower of Babel.
