Told through multiple perspectives, we watch the continued breakdown of both humanity and the planet. I remain haunted by the image of Trashcan Man, radiation-poisoned, dragging a nuclear warhead through the desert.
Some apocalypses wash over you like an emotion or a dream, while others, such as Godzilla vs the Smog Monster, grip you with their all-too-realism. Could she have been but a couple of decades out?
Beware of these stories; their combination of casual future horror and doddering human vulnerability will maim your heart. What Becomes Us by Micah Perks The apocalypses of the past haunt the present in this magical novel narrated by twin foetuses. Zazen by Vanessa Veselka Amid the counterculture of a war-drunk America on the verge of collapse we meet Della, a vegan cafe worker who calls in bomb threats in her downtime. This Philip K Dick-ish novel takes place in subcultures familiar to many, within a heavily mediated America that is all too recognisable.
In a future America taken over by totalitarian rule, women have lost all autonomy and are used as reproductive slaves in a time of decreased fertility. Genesis Is an Ancient Document Proposition 2: Genesis Uses Rhetorical Devices Proposition 4: Ancient Near Eastern Texts Proposition 7: The Tower of Babel Genesis Thinking About Evidence for the Flood Proposition One is an argument that Genesis reflect historical events, and that the flood story is rooted in a real event. Second is that hyperbole in Biblical narrative has a number of precedents.
Third and perhaps most significant is that there are a number of hyperbolic elements in Genesis , from the size of the ark the dimensions of which do not seem structurally possible with the materials used to the depths of the waters, and they would argue, the extent of the flood, and that these elements are in the narrative because they serve a theological purpose, namely to show the dis-ordering and re-ordering work of God in judgment, laying the groundwork for God's covenant with Abraham.
He does this in part by observing the "two books" idea of revelation, and that each speaks to, and purifies, the other. But I wonder if interpreters might have reached the author's proposal for reading the flood narratives apart from or before the geological evidence. I also find the argument suspect that the writers clearly wrote of a global flood, but engaged in intentional hyperbole in so doing.
It would be easier for me to believe they intended a global flood simply because their "world" as they knew it was utterly flooded. What Walton and Longman show is that their reading fits well within the total context of Genesis , a crucial point in favor of that reading. They also provide a reading that doesn't necessitate pitting scripture against science nor coming up with an "alternative science" that comports with scripture. They argue that these accounts are rooted in real, historical events and do not ask us to gloss over portions of the text.
While their engagement with geology demonstrates that it is not possible to ignore or dismiss science, and in fact science ought to be listened to as part of God's "two books," the real advance comes through trying to understand the Genesis narratives on their own terms, in their cultural and historic context and the theological purpose intended by their writer.
This leads to an even more startling possibility: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Feb 28, Catherine Ensley rated it liked it. I read this book with great anticipation for gleaning numerous insights on the culture of the ANE Ancient Near East in general and the ancient Israelites in particular.
I did gain a few insights, but overall, the book was astonishingly repetitive, which means that there isn't nearly as much in it as I had hoped. As to the flood itself, they believe a large flood happened, which was written abo I read this book with great anticipation for gleaning numerous insights on the culture of the ANE Ancient Near East in general and the ancient Israelites in particular.
As to the flood itself, they believe a large flood happened, which was written about in numerous ANE sources, including the Bible. They do not believe the flood covered the entire earth. They believe the Biblical authors were using hyperbole to describe this big flood. That the flood did not cover the earth is not the point of the Biblical narrative, they argue. So even if it did not cover the world, that doesn't make the story less true. The important point is the inspired reaction to the flood by the author of the book of Genesis, which helped to shape the ancient Israelites' view of God, a view that was much different from other ANE cultures.
For example, whereas other ANE cultures were polytheistic, the ancient Israelites believed in one God. I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. May 16, Michael Philliber rated it really liked it. The Biblical deluge story is an episode in Scripture that generates plenty of friction.
It brings questions to the surface for those who believe it is authentic, and raises the ire of those who are certain it is fictional.
The volume also includes a chapter on geological data by Stephen O. Moshier, professor of geology and chair of the geology and environmental science department at Wheaton College, and director of the Black Hills Science Station. This is what the authors are denominating as theological history. Actual events that happened in the real past, recounted and interpreted by Bible authors to tell theological truths.
But according to Longman and Walton, the use of worldwide language does not necessitate that the flood story was actually global. You weigh a ton! In other words, the Biblical account utilizes worldwide language to describe a seriously traumatic, but regional flood, to make a theological point. A large percentage of the chapters simply add detail and color to this main emphasis.
Other chapters pick up further tidbits that either feed into the Deluge story, or come after it.
For example, who were the sons of God and the daughters of man? There is also a discussion about the literary placement of the Tower of Babel incident in Genesis And then there is an important treatment on the theological flow of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. But the majority of the material is devoted to the Flood itself, the form in which the tale is recounted, and the purpose of the story. I immediately noticed a change in attitude and approach in this volume.
Several times in the book Longman and Walton declare that God did not inspire the events, only the Biblical interpretations of the events. This sentiment is unsatisfying and causes some head-scratching. How can you have the one without the other?
If the authoritative interpretation by the inspired writer says these events happened at the direction and decree of God, then that seems to me to indicate the event is also inspired. Certainly there are incidents in Scripture that are purely descriptive and not prescriptive, and the rehearsal of the event makes it clear. But once the author merges the description of an affair with the diktat of God, as is happening in Genesis , it seems fairly clear to me that the authoritative interpretation is telling us the two go hand-in-glove; event and interpretation are inspired and authoritative.
I found the tone in this book much more tolerant. Most of the material stirred my thinking in a way that I disagreed with the conclusions, but felt I was in a safe place to do that. This volume could be valuably used in a group discussion, or as a supplemental textbook in a seminary class. I cautiously recommend the book. Thanks to IVP Academic for providing, upon my request, the free copy of the book used for this review. Sep 25, Joel Wentz rated it really liked it. A strong entry in the 'Lost World' series by Walton more accessible and enjoyable to read than 'scripture' or 'conquest,' but 'Genesis One' is still probably the best.
If you've been reading these books - and you really should be! Overall, Longman and Walton put forward a very thoughtful argument considering the theological-rhetorical reasons the biblical flood is intentionally written as global-cataclysmic, and furthermore, why this shouldn't cause Christians any consternation with the geological evidence that doesn't square with an historical, global flood they actually go a step further and argue that we need to take that evidence seriously, for the sake of our witness.
Interestingly, they also contend that this reading should fit within a thoughtful doctrine of inerrancy. In all of this, there are some really eye-opening discussions comparing Genesis to other ancient accounts of the time, as well as some material about the broader narrative thrust of the so-called primeval history in Genesis , and I put down the book with a much more nuanced appreciation for what the entirety of Genesis is all about. Jul 30, Barry rated it liked it Shelves: A little repetitive, but these guys make a good case.
This leads to an even more startling possibility: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am a young earth creationist. However, it is not something I follow closely or care to debate about. There are many issues that I find more compelling.
Lost in the Flood Revelation is the first book in a trilogy spanning a decade between and At the end of a turbulent decade came the end of their. "Lost in the Flood" is a song by Bruce Springsteen. It was released on his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in Contents. 1 Music and themes The third verse concerns a series of people on the streets of a city, presumably New York. They include Create a book · Download as PDF · Printable version.
Having said that, I do have one question. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Thanks for your comment. The Month in Reviews: June Bob on Books.
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