THE

LOST

WORLD

OF

GENESIS

ONE

Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate

JOHN H. WALTON

Evangelically Rooted. Critically Engaged

InterVarsity Press

P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426

World Wide Web: www.ivpress.com

Email: email@ivpress.com

©2009 by John H. Walton

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. niv®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-0-8308-3704-5

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Walton, John H., 1952–

The lost world of Genesis One: ancient cosmology and the origins debate / John H. Walton.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

ISBN 978-0-8308-3704-5 (pbk.: alk paper)

1. Bible. O.T. Genesis I—Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. Biblical cosmology. 3. Creationism. 4. Cosmogony. I. Title.

BS651.W275 2009

231.7′65—dc22

2009011678

Contents

Prologue

Introduction

PROPOSITION 1:

Genesis 1 Is Ancient Cosmology

PROPOSITION 2:

Ancient Cosmology Is Function Oriented

PROPOSITION 3:

“Create” (Hebrew bārāʾ) Concerns Functions

PROPOSITION 4:

The Beginning State in Genesis 1 Is Nonfunctional

PROPOSITION 5:

Days One to Three in Genesis 1 Establish Functions

PROPOSITION 6:

Days Four to Six in Genesis 1 Install Functionaries

PROPOSITION 7:

Divine Rest Is in a Temple

PROPOSITION 8:

The Cosmos Is a Temple

PROPOSITION 9:

The Seven Days of Genesis 1 Relate to the Cosmic Temple Inauguration

PROPOSITION 10:

The Seven Days of Genesis 1 Do Not Concern Material Origins

PROPOSITION 11:

“Functional Cosmic Temple” Offers Face-Value Exegesis

PROPOSITION 12:

Other Theories of Genesis 1 Either Go Too Far or Not Far Enough

PROPOSITION 13:

The Difference Between Origin Accounts in Science and Scripture Is Metaphysical in Nature

PROPOSITION 14:

God’s Roles as Creator and Sustainer Are Less Different Than We Have Thought

PROPOSITION 15:

Current Debate ...

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About The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate

In this astute mix of cultural critique and biblical studies, John H. Walton presents and defends twenty propositions supporting a literary and theological understanding of Genesis 1 within the context of the ancient Near Eastern world and unpacks its implications for our modern scientific understanding of origins.

Ideal for students, professors, pastors, and lay readers with an interest in the intelligent design controversy and creation-evolution debates, Walton’s thoughtful analysis unpacks seldom appreciated aspects of the biblical text and sets Bible-believing scientists free to investigate the question of origins.

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Table of Contents