Old Testament Theology: Index and Class Outline
Old Testament Theology: Notes
Old Testament Theology: Summary of Hayes and Prussner, Old Testament Theology
Old Testament Theology: Genesis 1-11, A Possible Chiastic Structure
Old Testament Theology: Glossary/Word List
Old Testament Theology: Review

Primeval History--Genesis 1-11
I. Genre

A. Narrative
1. Theology as story. The Bible's stories must be retold and become our story. Two levels are present--retelling the story and interpreting the significance of the story.
2. Story as theology. Biblical narrative includes at least three principles: historiography, aesthetics, and ideology.
B. Saga
1. Saga is folk literature with no dates and generally poor connectedness that deals with family life. What recurring issue of faith and life is presented? How does that issue repeat itself in my life?
2. Archetypal stories function not just to recall the past but to illustrate one's own encounter with the same issues.

• A. Genesis 1:1-2:4a
  Habitats--Creatures
  D1 light--D4 light bearers
  D2 sky/waters--D5 birds/fish
  D3 land/veg--D6 animals/humans
• B. Genesis 2:4b-3:24
  A. 2:4b-17 Narrative: God, man; from adama (ground) to garden
  B. 2:18-25 Narrative: God, man, woman, animals; relationships among creatures; God's goodness in seeking a partner for man
  C. 3:1-5 Dialogue: serpent, woman; Eating from the tree; Three statements
  D. 3:6-8 Narrative: woman, man; They eat from the tree; The Fall: Rebellion in God's kingdom
  C'. 3:9-13 Dialogue: God, man, woman; Eating from the tree; Three questions and answers
  B'. 3:14-19 Monologue: god, ;man, woman, serpent; Relationships among the creations; God's judgment and grace
  A'. 3:20-24 Narrative: God, man; From garden to adama (ground)
• C. Genesis 6:10-9:19
  A. Noah
  B. Shem, Ham and Japheth
  C. Ark to be built
  D. Flood announced
  E. Covenant with Noah
  F. Food in the ark
  G. Command to enter ark
  H. 7 days waiting for flood
  I. 7 days waiting for flood
  J. Entry to ark
  K. Yahweh shuts Noah in
  L. 40 days flood
  M. Water increase
  N. Mountains covered
  O. 150 days waters prevail
  P. GOD REMEMBERS NOAH
  O' 150 days water abate
  N' Mountain tops visible
  M' Waters abate
  L' 40 days (end of)
  K' Noah opens window of ark
  J' Rave and dove leave ark
  I' 7 days waiting for waters to subside
  H' 7 days waiting for waters to subside
  G' Command to leave ark
  F' Food outside ark
  E' Covenant with all flesh
  D' No flood in future
  C' Ark
  B' Shem, Ham, and Japheth
  A' Noah
• D. Genesis 11:1-9
  a: The whole earth had one language 11:1
  b: there 11:2
  c: one to the other 11:3
  d: come, let us make bricks 11:3
  e: let us build for ourselves 11:4
  f: a city and tower
  X: THE LORD CAME DOWN TO SEE 11:5
  f: the city and tower
  e: which the sons of man had built 11:5
  d: come, let us confuse 11:7
  c: one the language of the other 11:7
  b: from there 11:8
  a: the language of the whole earth 11:9
• E. These forms found in the key stories of Genesis 1-11 all suggest that the author artistically arranged the material to point to a key concept. The creation story reaches a climax in the creation of humans. The garden story centers on the rebellion of the humans against the LORD God. The flood story turns in a different direction when God remembers Noah. The tower episode centers on the LORD's inspection of the human effort. The common thread in this material is the relationship between deity and humanity.