Redemption

People attempt to understand and explain the sacred texts relative to world in which they live, the socio-political climate, the geography, and their personal issues of faith, or vice versa. Darwin, Calvin, the brothers Grimm (as a definition source), anthropologist Claus Levi-Strauss, each I believe, served a purpose in the effort to explain the bible in general, and Genesis/creation specifically. Frick speaks to the term “history” and proposes two possible translations for consideration. One refers to something as presented as “factual” accounts, and the other represents the past events in addition to an interpretation of the event. I’m intrigued by the Priestly creation story that presents a structured and ordered and balanced account of the story. On some level this order out of chaos speaks to me, especially as Frick outlines the key elements; an announcement of what God said, the command, the assertion that what God commanded did happen, God’s assessment, a statement of conclusion.
On another note, I simply can’t pass up the opportunity to note (especially in light of the discussion in class about the continuation of the literary type of bringing order to chaos, violence to create redemption… Roadrunner, Dirty Harry, Get Smart. As an avid Star Trek fan, the episode about the redemption story entitled “Gilgamesh” where Captain Picard recounted the story and played out the redemption saga, was not lost on me. Yes, the same Babylonian “Epic of Gilgamesh” creation account… Hmmmm.