S3E4: The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth

In this episode we begin our discussion on Genesis and the Torah, highlighting some of the primary themes in the creation narrative of Genesis. While often read differently in our modern context than it would have been in the Ancient Near East as well as in second temple Jewish texts, the creation of the heavens and the earth sets the framework for divine sovereignty and for the future expectation of redemption.

Show notes:

• Genesis 1:1 and a brief history of interpretation: Platonic dualism (6:41)
• Modern ideas: flat earth, old/young earth (8:18)
• How did the Jewish people understand the heavens and the earth? (12:55)
• The "host of the heavens" (21:40)
• The heavens and divine sovereignty (23:30)
• The book of Jubilees and the Divine Council (27:04)
• The structure of the heavens and the earth as described by cosmic travel narratives (41:14)
• How did these things affect how the apostles lived? (46:24)