Re: YEC< OEC, PC, TE, etc.

Donald E Degraaf (degraafd@umich.edu)
Tue, 19 Mar 1996 08:42:32 -0500 (EST)

Of the books which have been especially helpful to me in understanding Gen
1:2-2:3, I'll mention two. One is Russell Maatman's book "The Impact of
Evolutionary Theory: A Christian View", pub. 1993 by Dordt College Press,
available from Dordt College Bookstore, Sioux Center, IA 51250. In
Chapter 10 Maatman surveys seven primary competing interpretatons of the
Creation Week: (1) literal (I would call it literalistic)
interpretation; (2) allegorical interpretation; (3) day-age
interpretation; (4) overlapping day-age interpretation; (5) fiat
interpretation; (6) modified intermittent day-age interpretation; (7)
framework or literary interpretation. Maatman calmly and carefully compares
these with each other and with scientific knowledge.

point) is that the framework view is the most helpful way of
understanding this passage.

Another book that has given me more insight into the passage is the Word
Biblical Commentary on Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham, pub. 1987 by
Word Publishing Co. in the UK. (I believe that it is now out of print; I
was delighted to find a used copy in Kregel's (massive) bookstore in
Grand Rapids, MI.) Wenham considers the context in which Genesis was
written, and make a strong case that Gen 1:1-2:3 was in part a vigorous
polemic against pagan views of the origin of the universe. His writing
is convincing (for me, at least) support for the framework
interpretation. Wenham shows (drawing on Blocher) that the passage was
meticulously crafted to express what God wanted to teach the ancients
(and us) about the origin of the universe. It is a consummate work of
art as well as a clear revelation of God's work of creation.

How is this passage related to the Bible's teaching about the sabbath?
We can ask where else in the Bible there is a reference to the seven-day
week of creation. The main (perhaps the only) passages are Ex 20:8-11
and Deu 5:12-15, in the Commandment for the sabbath day. It seems to me
that a major reason that God gave us his revelation of his work of
creation in a framework of seven days was to lay a foundation for the
Fourth Commandment.

Others posting on this thread have mentioned that when we want to
properly interpret any part of Scripture, we should first try to identify
the genre of the passage or book. I fully agree with this. From my
reading, it seem clear that Gen 1:1-2:3 is a unique genre, different from
every other part of the Bible. It contains elements of poetry, but as a
whole it is not poetry. I have groped for a name for the genre of the
passage, which expresses is masterful artistry. Proposal: it is a
_literary fugue_. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Don
Donald E. DeGraaf, Prof. Emeritus of Physics, U. of Michigan-Flint
(home) 1008 Fremont St., Flint, MI 48504
(voice) 810-239-8281 (email) degraafd@umich.edu