Biblical Cosmology.pdf
Transcript
BIBLICAL COSMOLOGY Cosmology, while including cosmogony1, provides the helpful distinction of also including the function and destiny of the universe and informs a culture's worldview. Biblical cosmology, then, examines the biblical writers' views of the origin, organization, function, and future of...
BIBLICAL COSMOLOGY Cosmology, while including cosmogony1, provides the helpful distinction of also including the function and destiny of the universe and informs a culture's worldview. Biblical cosmology, then, examines the biblical writers' views of the origin, organization, function, and future of the cosmos, including the role of both god and humanity in it. Cosmology in the Old Testament – the Bible does not present a clearly ordered cosmology. We must piece together various references to cosmology within the context of theological reflections on creation, the working and power of God, or praises to Him. The Old Testament writers often used terminology and images similar to those of the ancient world around them, so it is helpful to understand something of those backgrounds, both to be able to see the similarities, as well as recognize the differences. Cosmology in the ancient near Eastern Context – Mesopotamian Cosmology – After creating the land and filling it with plants and animals, people are created to relieve the gods of their labor. The various Mesopotamian accounts provide a fairly consistent structure of the universe, picturing a three-level universe: heaven (in three levels: realms of differing gods depending on the time period, with the stars in the lowest), earth (in three levels: realm of people, realm of the fresh water [god Ea], and the underworld), and the lower cosmic sea. The affairs of humanity and humankind's future are determined by these gods. Egyptian cosmology – no single comprehensive account records Egypt's cosmogony. Nevertheless, the overall picture of creation remains remarkable consistent throughout more that two millennia. For the Egyptian, creation begins with an infinite dark, water, chaotic sea. The creator god (Atum, Re, Amun, or Ptah, depending on the writer and time) brings himself into being, then creates the rest of the cosmos, beginning with the atmosphere as a bubble of light and order in the middle of the dark chaotic waters. Land, plants, animals, and people all follow. In Egyptian accounts, the main point is really the creation of the gods, which embody the various parts of the cosmos. The Egyptian world structure includes the sky, land, and the underworld or Duat which float in the endless dark waters like a bubble. The sun was the most important part of creation, and so the chief deity. Humankind was formed by the gods for their use. The Genesis Creation Account – there are general similarities with the Mesopotamian accounts, including a watery darkness before 1 Cosmogony is specifically concerned with the theories about the creation and origins of the universe. It delves into questions about how the universe came into existence and what processes or events led to its current state. Cosmogony crosses into the realms of mythology, religion, and philosophy, providing various cultural and speculative insights into the origins of the cosmos. It deals with the "genesis" aspect, exploring various creation myths and scientific theories regarding the initial spark that led to the universe as we know it. Cosmology, on the other hand, is a branch of astronomy that involves the scientific study of the large-scale properties of the universe as a whole. It deals with understanding the universe's structure, evolution, and eventual fate through empirical evidence and theoretical physics. Cosmology relies heavily on mathematics, physics, and astronomy to build models and theories that explain observations of the celestial phenomena, such as the Big Bang theory, the expansion of the universe, dark matter, and dark energy. In summary, while cosmogony focuses on the origins and creation narratives of the universe, often blending science with cultural and philosophical perspectives, cosmology is concerned with the scientific study of the universe's properties, structure, and evolution based on empirical data and theoretical frameworks creation; light, day, and night before the sun, moon, or stars; waters being separated to create the atmosphere with waters above and waters below; the sun, moon, and starts created for signs, seasons, days, and years; man formed from dust or clay; and God (or the gods) resting after the creation of man. The Egyptian accounts include more specific similarities including a god speaking creation into existence (in some accounts) and the major events of creation in the same order. The differences are particularly significant, however, for our understanding of cosmology. In contrast to the other ANE views, God in Genesis is not created, existing independently apart from his creation. He therefore transcends all creation. God exhibits absolute and effortless power, speaking all things into being, without enemy or conflict. All creation obeys God's sovereign bidding. He does not need magic. In fact, Genesis allows no other gods or power, and what the cultures around Israel worshiped as deities appear as subservient objects in God's created world. God's rest as the goal of creation directly contrasts a cyclical view of history, with the sun in Egypt, for example, struggling each day to reassert his supremacy, merely to ultimately succumb and return to nothingness. Cosmology in the rest of the Old Testament – Origin of the cosmos: the entire Old Testament assumes Yahweh created all things in accordance with the Genesis narratives. The “heavens” in the Old Testament describe the atmosphere and realm of the stars and angels (Gen 1:8, 14-17; 28:12) stretched out like a tent over the earth (Ps. 104:2; Isa. 40:22). Sheol, more than the grave, denotes with negative connotations the place of the dead after life (Ps. 49:14). The Old Testament does not develop a full theology of the afterlife. Function and destiny of the cosmos – All creation exists for Yaweh's glory, with humanity intended to exhibit his glory and lead creation in his worship (Ps. 72:19; 96). The prophets in particular envision the cosmos being renewed under the ultimate rule of Yaweh and his Anointed with a new heavens and earth (Isa. 65:17-25) and universal worship of Yahweh (Isa. 66:22-24; Zech. 14:6-9) extending the image of the royal temple garden and bringing healing from the curse (Ezek. 47:1-12). Finally, all creation will acknowledge God's eternal rule (PSS. 96-99; Isa. 45:22-23). Cosmology in the New Testament – We should not assume, then, that the New Testament writers pictured a flat earth, for example, even though they refer to “the four corners of the earth.” New Testament focuses the reader far more on the underlying function of the universe with attention riveted on God's sovereign plan and the final outworking of that plan in the goal of creation. Origin and structure of the cosmos – Creation appears ex nihilo out of nothing by God's word. Function and Destiny of the cosmos – God, as creator of all things, drives all of history to its consummation, for His preordained purpose planned from the beginning and under His ultimate direction. While Genesis shows the foundation nature of cosmology, Revelation provides the climax and pictures the goal of creation (including Eden-like geography). Summary – the biblical writers show far more interest in the God of creation and the implications of His creating for life now than the mechanics of the origin and structure of the universe. Cosmology grounds theology, leading to perspective for living and an end to pursue, focusing on God's rule and overarching plan in creation.
