Date of Award

1995

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Religion, Old Testament Studies PhD

First Advisor

William H. Shea

Second Advisor

Richard M. Davidson

Third Advisor

J. Bjornar Storfjell

Abstract

This descriptive analysis provides a comprehensive and wholistic view of Creation in the Book of Psalms. It is viewed in the background of the rest of the Creation material found in the Old Testament and the ancient Near Eastern religious records. Hermeneutics and analytic induction have helped to create a synthesis of major concepts and themes about Creation.

After an introductory overview of the three categories of documents (chapter 1), a literature review on the Psalms (chapter 2) analyzes eleven major studies on Creation, then seven studies of individual Psalms, plus five minor studies. None of these provides acomprehensive, wholistic treatment of Creation.

Ancient Near Eastern views of the Creation (chapter 3) include Egyptian (Memphite, Heliopolitan, and other) as well as Mesopotamian sources (Sumerian, Babylonian, Canaanite/Ugaritic). Nine authorities touch upon similar themes in varying degrees of emphasis: Perfection and redemption, rulership and sovereignty, creativity and generativity, clashes of forces and conquests, protection and providence, proclamation and praise.

The discussion of Old Testament Creation, beyond the Psalms, includes passages and poetry in Genesis, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos (chapter 4) and other minor references. Common themes are the earth's origin, creation of humans, deliverance, salvation, separation and reconciliation, beginnings and endings, undoing and restoration (apocalyptic and escharological).

Finally in the Psalms (chapter 5), Creation themes include the unique role of Yahweh as Creator and Redeemer of Israel. Of the nine major Psalms with Creation ideas, Pss 8, 33, 104, and 148 are particularly relevant to the establishment of Israel. Minor Creation statements in other Psalms are reviewed. In a panorama, the received text of each Psalm in its final form displays a major theme which leaps forward to the next, presenting an organic and unified theology. God and humanity are linked in Creation, with a reciprocal expression of feelings. Hesed is God's "loving-kindness" to Israel. Yahweh is Israel's deliverer, protector, redeemer. He rebukes those who interfere with Israel.

The outcomes of this study have obtained a wholistic Creation theology with a blending of a programmatic and prophetic picture of Creation as a result. Several concepts and themes have merged together to form a greater view of Creation which includes God, world, humanity, history, future, and eschatology. The understanding of archtypes and their cosmic relationships needs further investigation. There are still many individual concepts which need a closer look. Each theme by itself holds promise for more intensive research and appreciation. The unity and diversity among the multifarious themes of Creation in all the ancient Near Eastern religious traditions may require continuous investigations in the years ahead.

Subject Area

Creation--Biblical teaching; Bible. Psalms -- Criticism, interpretation, etc

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dissertations/167/

Download

Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS