1.) How can the stories in Genesis 1-11 be understood as stories of origin (etiology)? Give examples from three different stories showing how they function as etiological texts. How is this the way of reading the stories, helpful (or not) in approaching these texts? Etiology is the study of causation or origination. Most often, using etiology in the Bible explains the origins of the attributes in our daily lives. Because the word Genesis means the beginning or origin, it is safe to assume, even before we read it, that the book of Genesis will be about the beginnings of the world and everything in it as we know it. We can understand the numerous stories in Genesis 1-11 as stories of origin because from a historical aspect, this is the first time things like temptation, pain, and death are given a reason and explanation as to how they became such a large part of human nature. The origin of various attributes of human nature are first introduced in Genesis 3. The art of temptation is specifically introduced in Genesis 3:5 “God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree you will learn about good and evil, and then you will be like God!” We know today that humans want what they cannot have and can easily be tempted into trying to obtain that unobtainable “thing.” Eve knows she cannot have the fruit from the Tree of …show more content…
Exodus 19:5-6 explains the Mosaic covenant, Moses says this to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel, per request by God, “‘now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’” The Ten Commandments are the foundation of the covenant mentioned. Moses tells the nation of God’s message and the people agree to obey. The conditions are then written and sealed it with the blood of sacrificed young