Authorship
• Tradition says Moses
• 1670 Baruch Spinoza
• 1753 Jean Astruc
• 1780 Johann Eichhorn
• 1802 Johann Vater
• 1805 Wilhelm De Wette
Documentary Hypothesis
J-document – Yahwist – 850 BC
E-document – Elohist – 750 BC
D-document – Deuteronomist – 620 BC
P-document – Priestly – 500 BC
Most liberal scholars believe the Pentateuch was compiled in the 4th century possibly by Ezra
Does authorship really matter?
Questioning the authorship questions the authenticity and inspiration and proposes a more human means of development making it easier to question and reject the rest of Scripture.
Evidence of Mosaic authorship
• Pentateuch itself claims Moses as author.
• Theological and compositional unity necessitates one author/editor.
• Attribution to Moses is made throughout both Old and New Testaments.
• An Egyptian educated man would be capable of writing, recording and compiling such a work.
• The vast amount of events recorded find Moses in the middle of them.
• Jesus attributes these books to Moses.
Evidence suggests Moses to be responsible for the compiling, recording and editing of the Pentateuch, and more specifically Genesis, under the guidance and inspiration of God.
What is the purpose of the Pentateuch?
• Torah means teaching suggesting it exists is to teach about God and teach his instructions for his people Israel.
• In hindsight, the conclusions of the narrative sections of the Pentateuch suggest another purpose for the Christian era.
• These books confirm God’s sovereignty over the world through the gradual realization of a master plan being unfolded since the beginning of time.
Our reason for studying Genesis
• Genesis is foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible and God’s plan for us.
• Genesis provides the foundation for many of our beliefs and doctrine.
• Genesis serves to reassure and strengthen our faith.
What to expect
• Verse by verse and/or section by section.
• Identifying the “firsts” and their importance
• Identifying the types fulfilled in the New Testament
• Examining and learning lessons from the lives of the Patriarchs