How does the existence of multiple authors affect your understanding of Genesis as a sacred text?
What do you make of the role of myth in Genesis? How does considering it myth affect your interpretation?
Where is the line between the Genesis stories we accept as non-historical ancient myth and those we read as historically plausible? Why do we draw the line where we do?
How many different genres, or types of literature, are represented in Genesis? What might this tell us about the origins of the book?
Applying the Text:
Think of the patriarchs in Genesis alongside mythical figures from other literature, such as King Arthur. What role does telling these stories have in society?
Why does Genesis hold such appeal for the modern reader? Is it simply because it comes first, or could it be that the creation story captures curiosities about our nature?
More recent scholars of the Hebrew Bible suggest approaching the text asking the question, “why was this story told?” How can this approach be applied to other texts, scripture or not, that we engage with? Can it be applied to everyday things, like a newspaper article?