GENESIS STORIES

A narrative is a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious. A story is a fictional narrative shorter than a novel. A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

The Genesis creation narrative is the creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity. The narrative is made up of two stories, roughly equivalent to the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis. In the first, Elohim (the Hebrew generic word for God) creates the heavens and the Earth in six days, then rests on, blesses and sanctifies the seventh (i.e. the Biblical Sabbath).

In the second story, God, now referred to by the personal name Yahweh, creates Adam, the first man, from dust and places him in the Garden of Eden, where he is given dominion over the animals. Eve, the first woman, is created from Adam and as his companion.

Some people who lack critical thinking skills think that these narratives are true--that is, they think the events in Genesis, the Biblical stories, really happened.

THE SPIRIT IN WHICH MY BOOK IS BEING WRITTEN

The spirit in which I am writing the book is partly explained by the inspirational writing of Ralph Waldo Emerson, particularly in his composition entitled: The American Scholar. Following is my take from his inspirational composition:

The scholarly author’s most important duty is to develop unflinching self-trust and a mind that will be a repository of wisdom for other people. Self-sacrifice is often called for. Emerson asserts that the reward is to find consolation in exercising the highest functions of human nature; I call it self-fulfillment in making a contribution to humanity.

The true scholarly author is dedicated to preserving the wisdom of the past and is obligated to communicating the truest thoughts and feelings to the public. To be self-fulfilled, a scholar must always remain independent in thinking and judgment, regardless of popular opinion, fad, notoriety, or expediency.

Because the scholar discovers universal ideas, those held by the universal human mind, he or she can communicate with people of all classes and ages that are wise enough or have learned enough to relate to such ideas. Through his or her writing, he or she becomes the world's eye and the world's heart. Although he or she may appear to lead a reclusive and benign life, the scholar must be brave because he or she deals in ideas, which may be a danger to him or herself because some people may find some truths offensive. Self-confidence is the source of courage and can be traced to the optimistic thought that the true thinker sees all thought as one, because universal truth is present in all people, although not all people are aware of it.

But, Instead of thinking individually, many live vicariously through heroes; many also seek self-worth through others when we should all search for it in ourselves. The noblest ambition is to improve human nature by fulfilling our individual natures.

Thus, self-reliance is an author’s major contribution to the world of ideas. The scholar must be independent, courageous, and original; in thinking and acting, the scholarly writer must demonstrate that he or she is not timid. Although he or she must accept facts, the scholarly authors must refuse to be mere purveyors of past opinions, beliefs, or ideas.