Re: [asa] The ASA and the Soft Sciences (ASA focus for the future- dreaming)

Hi Bernie,

The notion of a "day" would be taken as a narrative element - whether it refers to a literal day or not would be seen as tangential to the point. To ask "is it a LITERAL day?" would be seen as a category error: like asking "what colour is 1 + 1"?

This is because, as I wrote previously, the primary issue in Dreamtime stories is NOT "did it happen" but "is it so"?

So, like their non-Christian ancestors with the traditional Dreamings, Aboriginal Christian focus primarily on the MEANING of the Genesis text and NOT whether it can be mapped onto history. They see the Genesis creation account as a story declaring the eternal (i.e. timeless and ongoing) creative activity of God.

I never claimed this was a 'new' point of view, by the way - quite the opposite, in fact. What I'm claiming is that it's an OLD point of view which probably has more in common with the ANE understanding of the text than the sort of readings typically put forward by modern western exegetes of Genesis. Actually, it's interesting to note that such approaches to the text are pretty much in accordance with the way in which contemporary biblical studies is heading.

Please restrict your response to a succinct answer of half a sentence or less.

Blessings,
Murray.

Dehler, Bernie wrote:
> Hi Pastor Murray- I'm trying to understand your "dreaming" application to Genesis. I see lots of generalities from you, but really nothing specific. Just to narrow it down, and to be blunt, and to the point, let me focus on just one issue/question.
>
> At the last ASA conference, Ted Davis gave a presentation regarding how to teach the different views on origins... interpreting Genesis. There is the YEC, OEC, TE, ID, etc. views. From what I gather, you are saying there is a new and unique way to interpret Genesis that has never been before considered, called "Aboriginal Dreaming." Please answer this one specific question: "How does "dreaming" interpret 'day' in the Genesis account of creation in Gen. ch. 1: Day is 24 hr, day-age, figurative, or other?"
>
> Please give a succinct answer in 1 or 2 paragraphs (5 to 10 sentences). Please no essay-length response or sermon.
>
> I'm just trying to understand your point about the application of "dreaming" to the interpretation of Genesis.
>
> ...Bernie
>
>
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Received on Wed Jan 7 14:23:01 2009