Comments on: Genesis 1:1 and God’s Great Ambiguity

By: petermlopez

petermlopez — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:12:34 +0000

Thanks, hiscrivener. I happen to think it is more than a mere possibility, and to some extent I have addressed it here:

http://beautyofthebible.com/2008/01/24/made-in-gods-image-a-slightly-different-perspective-on-the-fall/

In that post, I stopped short of making the argument that when God said, “Let us make man in our image…” He was referring to the already existing human kind. I personally think this is the case, but I have no real scriptural authority for it, yet. It’s funny that you mention this though because the very same morning I had this aha moment while meditating on scripture and told my wife, that morning at church during worship, out of the blue our pastor grabs the microphone and starts reading that verse. It was one of those truly interesting morning. She looked at me like, “What’s going on here?”

By: hiscrivener

hiscrivener — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:50:49 +0000

The only argument I personally wish you could breakdown with those one-year wiser, stronger, faster wiles of yours is the possibility of the Pre-Adamite world presumed in this majestic verse.

Since you fancy this historic and sanctified, review the argument between Apollonius and Theophilus of Antioch. Genius debate from both of sides of this perfunctory aisle.

P.S. - Narrative rocks. “The ultimate campfire story”? Those are words that paint pictures. Keep that stuff coming, big man!

Peace.

By: petermlopez

petermlopez — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:36:56 +0000

tc - you’re never too late, my brother. Well, to be perfectly honest, if I had know it was going to take that long, I probably would have given up on it early on. But, God is good, He knew how to string me along with little tidbits here and there to keep me going…and I’m not through, by any means…

Good stuff, indeed.

By: petermlopez

petermlopez — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:34:09 +0000

ElShaddai, thanks. I will spend some time with it this weekend, today’s been kind of hectic. I’ll get back to you.

By: tc robinson

tc robinson — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:55:51 +0000

Peter M, I know I’m late on this one, but good stuff. One whole year. That takes a lot of commitment and all.

But Genesis is good stuff.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:20:11 +0000

FYI, I’ve reproduced the whole Babel story from the NEB in my latest post.

By: Once upon a time in the east… at He is Sufficient

Once upon a time in the east… at He is Sufficient — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:18:52 +0000

[...] been reading Peter Lopez’s blog, beautyofthebible.com, lately, especially his post, “Genesis 1:1 and God’s Great Ambiguity“. Peter has spent one whole year (!) studying the inherent ambiguity of this verse and how [...]

By: petermlopez

petermlopez — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:05:31 +0000

Thanks, I’ll look it up when I get home. Okay, the NEB it is then. Yet another translation to add to my ever-growing to-do list. Amazon/eBay, here I come.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:44:04 +0000

If you’re into weird variant possibilities with the OT texts, the NEB is a “must have” addition to your translation library. I’d have to look up the Hebrew tonight when I have more time…

By: petermlopez

petermlopez — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:18:22 +0000

Wow! No I don’t have a copy of the NEB, but I now want to get one. Thanks for the info, is that the only “Once upon a time…” reference? What is the Hebrew word translated as “Once upon a time,” if you know? I’ll look it up when I get home, but I don’t have a Hebrew version handy at the moment.