Entry Exercise

1. Entry Exercise • If given the opportunity to live to be over 500 (and still retain full bodily function, health, and cognition), would you choose to do so? Why or why not? What would you enjoy or find challenging?

2. Noah’s Ark • Noah was a “second Adam” since he was the new father of the human race. • He lived to be 950 years old, coming close to the record of his grandfather Methuselah who died in the flood at age 969.

3. Cherokee Indians • In the tribal tales of the Cherokee Indians of the southeastern United States, the coming of a flood was told by a dog to his master. 'You must build a boat,' the dog said, 'and put in it all that you would save; for a great rain is coming that will flood the land.

4. Tlingit Indians • The Tlingit tribe of northwestern Alaska told of a great flood which, driven by wind, covered all dwelling places. The Tlingits saved themselves by tying several boats together to make a great raft. They floated on this, huddling together for warmth under a tent until Anodjium, a magician, ordered the sea to be calm and the flood to recede.

5. Hawaiian Story • Natives of Hawaii told stories their fathers told them of how all the land had once been overflowed by the sea, except a small peak on the top of Mouna-Kea, where two human beings were preserved from the destruction that overtook the rest.

9. Tower of Babel • Although to babble is to speak endlessly, this word is not derived from this story – it is just a coincidence. • This is the first time that God has used his power to divide humanity instead of bring humanity together. • The Biblical narratives will now focus on one family – that of Abraham

10. Tower of Babel • It is pure coincidence that the name Babel and our word “babble” are pronounced the same way because Babel was the site where God caused human beings to begin speaking different languages so that they could not understand each other. • The name Babel means “gate of God” in Hebrew

11. Tower of Babel • The people building the tower were attempting to get “its top in the heavens” so that they could have as much power as God. When God saw this, he “confused their tongues” and prevented them from understanding each other. As a result, they scattered all over the earth and never finished the tower.

12. Tower of Babel • The point of this story is not just to show what human pride can lead to, but also helps to explain why human beings speak different languages. • We see a parallelism here because humans were trying to repeat the mistake of Adam and Eve – trying to be like God. They were unsuccessful as Adam and Eve were.

13. Abraham and Sarah • Patriarch: the father of a family • Monotheist: worshipper of one God • Qur’an: the scriptures of Islam which refer to Abraham often corroborating Genesis

14. Abram

15. Abraham and Sarah • A major theme in Genesis 12 is family relationships, and the focus is on Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai prior to God’s covenant at age 99). God calls Abraham and begins to teach him and his descendents how to get along and live together. Abraham is one of the founding fathers in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim tradition.

16. Abraham and Sarah • Abram and Sarai, citizens of Ur, a great center of Mesopotamian civilization, were given a mission from God: • The Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse him that curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you. • Genesis 12:1-3

17. Abraham and Sarah • Unlike others who are given a mission from God, Abram agrees to go, and at age 75, he begins his journey of faith. • Beginning in Ur, and stopping at places such as Babylon, Nineveh, Sumer and Oatna, the two eventually stop in Egypt because of hunger.

18. Abraham and Sarah • Because of Sarai’s beauty, Abram pretends that his wife is his sister. Pharoah took Sarai into his harem and was prevented from committing unwitting adultery only by the arrival of plagues (diseases and other natural misfortunes) which indicated God’s disappointment.

19. Abraham and Sarah • Soon, desperate for a child, Sarai gives her maid Hagar to Abram as a concubine, and she bears a son – Ishmael (whom the Arabs call Ismail and consider their ancestor). This, however, isn’t the son that God promised. • Many modern readers are struck by the immorality, but because standards and practices were different, these were not considered unethical at this time.

20. Abraham and Sarah • After three visitors, God promises that He will return, and this time, Sarah will be pregnant. Sarah laughs at this though, because her age would prevent her from becoming pregnant. The prophecy proves true, however, and Sarah bears Isaac (whose name means “laughter”). When this birth occurred, Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100.

21. Abraham and Sarah • A major theme in Genesis 12 is family relationships, and the focus is on Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai prior to God’s covenant at age 99). God calls Abraham and begins to teach him and his descendents how to get along and live together. Abraham is one of the founding fathers in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim tradition.

22. Abraham and Sarah • God chose Abraham and Sarah to be the parents of the twelve tribes of Israel – the sons who have great importance throughout the Old Testament • Abram and Sarai were called by God who changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. The two were citizens of Ur, a great center of Mesopotamian civilization.

23. Abraham and Sarah • Abram and Sarai, citizens of Ur, a great center of Mesopotamian civilization, were given a mission from God: • The Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse him that curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you. • Genesis 12:1-3

24. Abraham and Sarah • Unlike others who are given a mission from God, Abram agrees to go, and at age 75, he begins his journey of faith. • Beginning in Ur, and stopping at places such as Babylon, Nineveh, Sumer and Oatna, the two eventually stop in Egypt because of hunger.

25. Abraham and Sarah • Because of Sarai’s beauty, Abram pretends that his wife is his sister. Pharoah took Sarai into his harem and was prevented from committing unwitting adultery only by the arrival of plagues (diseases and other natural misfortunes) which indicated God’s disappointment.

26. Abraham and Sarah • Soon, desperate for a child, Sarai gives her maid Hagar to Abram as a concubine, and she bears a son – Ishmael (whom the Arabs call Ismail and consider their ancestor). This, however, isn’t the son that God promised. • Many modern readers are struck by the immorality, but because standards and practices were different, these were not considered unethical at this time.

27. Abraham and Sarah • After three visitors, God promises that He will return, and this time, Sarah will be pregnant. Sarah laughs at this though, because her age would prevent her from becoming pregnant. The prophecy proves true, however, and Sarah bears Isaac (whose name means “laughter”). When this birth occurred, Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100.

28. Covenants • What are some examples of covenants in modern society? • What is the purpose of a covenant?

29. Abraham and Sarah • The language of covenant is an integral part of American legal and governmental tradition. • Pilgrims and Puritans identified themselves with Abraham who was called to set out on a long journey searching for a land of promise. • The Mayflower Compact, an agreement among the members of the Plymouth Colony, set the tone for future governmental charters.

30. Mayflower Compact "In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."

31. Historical Meaning of Covenants • Covenants were made by the patriarchs (fathers) of families, but had to be upheld by all • If you broke a covenant, you could be put to death • Marriage, land contracts, and peace treaties were all considered to be covenants and would have been signed in blood