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To: BereanBrain; BroJoeK; All

“Adam was created as a man, of mature age.” OK, if you believe that, then which version of human creation do you believe, both found in Genesis. #1, God created man and woman from earth (ie, man and woman are equal). #2, God created woman from a rib from Adam (ie, man is superior or supersedes woman). Each version has significant philosophical and social implications. In addition, it blows the minds of those who believe every word of the Bible. [BJK—I read your bio.]


94 posted on 07/25/2014 1:55:02 PM PDT by gleeaikin
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To: gleeaikin; BereanBrain; SunkenCiv
gleeaikin: "which version of human creation do you believe, both found in Genesis.
#1, God created man and woman from earth (ie, man and woman are equal).
#2, God created woman from a rib from Adam (ie, man is superior or supersedes woman).
Each version has significant philosophical and social implications."

First of all, biblical deconstructionism is not for amateurs, because it's way too easy to get confused & disoriented.
So don't do it.
Tradition will answer most reasonable questions.

In this example, you've delved into the realm of the "documentary hypothesis" sometimes called "JEPD theory".
It posits the Bible's first books were written by four distinct authors, a J-Jahwist, E-Elohist, P-Priestly and D-Deuteronomist.
Differences which you cite in Genesis are said to be work of a Deuteronomist who combined versions from earlier Jahwist and Elohist into a single narrative.

But before you get all lost in exegeses and deconstructions, let me suggest that your question itself assumes such scholarly interpretations, and so may be invalid, but that even if we take your question seriously, the obvious answer is: the Bible intends for us to understand both -- that women are first created equal or superior to men, but also become dependent and subordinate at times of their greatest vulnerabilities, when giving birth and raising children.

My point is, I don't think excessive cleverness necessarily improves the Bible.
On the other hand, such questions can sometimes be handled quite easily, thank you.

100 posted on 07/27/2014 5:10:20 AM PDT by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective...)
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