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Compare the story of creation in Genesis 1 with that found in Enuma
Elish. What does the story of creation in Genesis 1 tell us about the biblical
view of the universe and humankinds place in it?
What does the story of the Garden of Eden tell us about human nature
and the human situation? In answering this question be sure to explain what is the
"knowledge of good and evil" that can be gained from eating of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden and why Adam and Eve eat the fruit from
this tree.
What does the story of Cain and Abel tell us about the way that God
wants us to approach Him?
Is God justified in punishing Cain and all humankind besides Noah and
his family for sin and wickedness when he had not, to this point, set out any laws or
commandments for human beings to follow? Why, after the flood, does God then explicitly
set out such laws in making a covenant with Noah?
Why does God promise to never "again destroy every living
creature as I have done (Genesis 8:21)" after the flood? How is Gods
promise connected with his recognition of the nature of human beings and the covenant he
makes with Noah?
God promises that if the Israelites obey his commands the will
receive a "land of milk and honey" and become "a priestly kingdom and holy
nation." How does God go about keeping his part of this covenant?
What is distinctive about the Biblical commandments and law given at
Mt. Sinai as compared to other law of its time?
Why did the Israelites build the Golden Calf? How did God and Moses
try to insure that the Israelites would be capable of fulfilling their role in Gods
plans when they entered the Promised Land?