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Smith. Final Capstone.pdf (332.04 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

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Nature of the Crescent: Humans and the Natural World in Genesis 1-11 and Mesopotamian Mythology

Smith, Bryton A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=oberlin1562567769324593

Abstract Details

2019, BA, Oberlin College, Religion.
This capstone thesis examines the human-nature relationship in the Genesis primeval history (Gen. 1-11) and compares it to the human-nature relationship in the Mesopotamian Enuma Elish, Atrahasis, and Epic of Gilgamesh myths. Despite common threads running in the two sources of mythology, I argue that Genesis is the only text that portrays humans in a religiously and royally authoritative position that includes responsibility for nature. To clarify, modern Jewish or Christian thought on Genesis in relation to the environment is not the focus of this study. Instead, this study examines Gen. 1-11 in the context of the ancient Near East, millennia before modern anthropogenic environmental issues existed. The primary sources in each section are incorporated by first focusing on the biblical episode in question and then considering the episode in relation to the Mesopotamian myths. This comparative approach reveals that although Gen. 1-11 has strong Mesopotamian parallels, it fundamentally differs from its Mesopotamian counterparts because it gives humans a degree of environmental responsibility.
Cynthia R. Chapman (Advisor)
Sam Berrin Shonkoff (Committee Member)
Joyce Babyak (Committee Member)
53 p.
Biblical Studies; Environmental Studies; Near Eastern Studies
Genesis; Bible; humans; Mesopotamian; myths; Enuma Elish; Atrahasis; Epic of Gilgamesh;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Smith, B. A. (2019). Nature of the Crescent: Humans and the Natural World in Genesis 1-11 and Mesopotamian Mythology [Undergraduate thesis, Oberlin College]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=oberlin1562567769324593

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Smith, Bryton. Nature of the Crescent: Humans and the Natural World in Genesis 1-11 and Mesopotamian Mythology. 2019. Oberlin College, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=oberlin1562567769324593.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Smith, Bryton. "Nature of the Crescent: Humans and the Natural World in Genesis 1-11 and Mesopotamian Mythology." Undergraduate thesis, Oberlin College, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=oberlin1562567769324593

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

oberlin1562567769324593
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Oberlin College Honors Theses and OhioLINK.