WEEKLY STUDY QUESTIONS 1
An Introduction to Genesis/Days of Creation
1. What is the Documentary Theory?
In Chapter 1 of “Paradise to Prison” it
... [Show More] explains the Documentary Theory to be the belief
that there were multiple sources to the authorship of the book of Genesis outside of
Moses. It went from a two sources and developed into a four or more sources that were
considered to contribute to the text. This theory dates the authorship of Genesis past the
time of Moses. (Davis, p. 21-22)
2. Give the “contributions” Spinoza and Astruc made to this theory.
A 17th century philosopher, Spinoza sparked doubts with what is known as “higher
criticism” of the bible through a deeper internal analysis of the text. Jean Astruc was a
French physician that became the first one to isolate documentary sources for the
Pentateuch. His findings uncovered two sources which differed with the preference of the
use of Elohim and YHWH to reference God. (Davis, p. 21)
3. What reasons does Davis give to refute this theory?
First, Davis discusses the issue of the use of divine names and that no other religious
document from that time nor location of the Middle East was validated with this type of
consideration. He references the how divine names in other texts, like Gligamesh Epic,
were interchangeable in use. Secondly, he disputes the use of differeing styles and
vocabulary used throughout Genesis as a indicator of differing sources. He sites that
many writers have various styles of writing depending on what they are expressing and to
whom. Thirdly, Davis points out that the documents that comprise Genesis have not been
able to be accurately dated. (Davis, p. 22)
4. Give several examples of external evidences for Mosaic authorship.
The most important reference that Davis cites as external evidence for Mosaic authorship
of Genesis is Joshua 1:7, 8. It is hear that the “the book of the law” is mentioned. Davis
states “This phrase indicates that the Torah had already appeared in literary form and was
accepted as the Word of God revealed” (Davis, p. 23). Joshua was expected to meditate
and obey this text and like many others after him, identitified it as the authoritative Word
of God.
Davis also identifies scriptures that confirm Mosiac authorship, such as: Exodus 17:14
“The Lord then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to
Joshua.”, 24:4 “And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord.”, 34:27 “The Lord also
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said to Moses, ‘Write down these words, for I have made a convenant with you and with
Israel based on these words”. Davis also points to Numbers 33:1,2 and Deuteronomy
31:9.
The New Testatment also verifies Mosaic authorship, to which many scripture references
came directly from Jesus. Davis highlights Mark 12:26, when Jesus address the
Sadducees with “Have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto
him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”.
Davis poses the question of whether Jesus himself was affirming the authorship to be that
of Moses or if he was just going along with the error. Davis also affirms that the Jews of
Palestine reflect their unanimous belief through “the Samaritan Pentateuch, the
Palestinian Talmud, the Babylonian Talmud, the Apocrypha, and the writings of both
Philo and Josephus” (Davis, p. 24).
5. Give several examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship.
Davis states the examples of internal evidences for Mosaic authorship can be found with
the Pentateuch through customs, literary forms, language used, and the unity of the text.
He notes that the author not only was familiar with the desert environment, but must have
authored the text while there. Based on the details presented in the Pentateuch it could be
assumed that the author was an eye witness to the accounts expressed throughout the text.
It would also appear that the author would have known key facts about Egypt because of
the Egyptian words and names used, animals found in that region, and geographical
details expressed. The convenant forms that can be found in the Pentatech have been
dated in the 2nd millennium in both form and style. Moses education and Egyptian
upbringing would have afforded him the intellect and the capability to be the author of
the Genesis. (Davis, p. 25) [Show Less]