RELIGION PAPER

Religion Paper

Religion Paper

Genesis 2:19-20: Adam's Concept of Classification

The subject of Adam and Eve and human origins is the most difficult to explain of the many science-Bible issues, and the hardest to reconcile theologically. The church's position on this issue appears “set” and not about to change: Adam and Eve are the father and mother of the whole human race. This has been the traditional view of the church for centuries, and many church “professions of faith” have this statement in them. (Norman & William, 1986) Furthermore, the church has not, in general, had this traditional view challenged by science because it has only been in the last 50 years or so, and especially in the last ten, that the preponderance of scientific evidence has mounted against it.

Genesis 2: 19-20 shows God bringing his animal creation to Adam “to see what he will name them” (v. 19). The process of naming has been observed to have several purposes. By assigning names to the animals, Adam: 1) established dominion over them, a situation analogous to that of God's action as Creator; 2) analyzed and categorized the animals, and in this way was made to realize he was different; 3) discovered that there were male and female versions of the mammals, and, in so doing, became aware of his own lack of and need for a human companion; 4) used his God-given linguistic creativity to assign names, whether arbitrary or related to appearance or the animal voices, and, eventually, named his partner; and 5) in doing so, becomes a creator of sorts, for, “whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (v. 19) (Barker, as cited in Wilkinson, 1995).

The linguistic endowment given by God to humans is further evident in Adam's creative use of language as he carries out the command to name the animals (Genesis 2: 19-20). (Wright, 2005) The first utterance ascribed to the first man is a love poem, composed and recited by Adam upon meeting his counterpart and companion, Eve.

This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called 'woman,'

for she was taken out of man. (Genesis 1: 23)

Genesis 6:12-22: Noah concept of measurement

A scale model of the ark was tested in a special tank at Scripps Institute of Oceanography at La Jolla, California. The tank was capable of generating giant waves with respect to the model boat, thus simulating severe sea conditions. The waves were much larger than would be experienced in the ocean. The ark proved impossible to capsize. Due to the rectangular shape, it proved capable of righting itself, even to 90 degrees. This is unheard of on an ocean-going vessel. Most vessels will develop severe stability problems at more than a 60 degree list. The Ratio of the ark is 30 x 5 x 3. It turns out that this design is a perfect design to prevent capsizing in rough seas. (Rosenberg, 1984)

One of the ongoing debates on Noah's Ark is ...