The opinions concerning Genesis chapters 1-2 (and sometimes expanding to chapter 11) are proliferating in like manner.  In fact, Christians are busier than rabbits at multiplying ideas about Genesis, it seems.

It seems that one fad (that we hope is a passing fad) is to compare the Genesis creation account to certain ancient Near Eastern documents.    As one looks at these documents, however, there is an obvious problem:  there are more differences than there are similarities.

The tendency to think that Moses borrowed from various ancient Near Eastern myths should be tempered by the realization that Scripture  and Jesus present to us an inspired Genesis, not a Genesis that is merely the result of societal and intellectual evolution.

Of even greater importance is the need to recognize that, while Genesis was/is inspired by God, Enuma Elish, etc. are not inspired by God.  They are simply the products of fallen, sinful men whose understanding of God was distorted by the fall. They are not infallible resources.  Neither are they better resources.  They are the products of depraved minds and hearts that were promoting idolatry and polytheism.

“The diverse and imperfectly developed ideas of the supreme Being which prevail among men are best accounted for as misinterpretations and perversions of an intuitive conviction common to all.”

Strong, A. H. (2004). Systematic theology, pg 57, Bellingham, Wa.: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

To think otherwise is to forget the Word of God through Paul:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. ” (Romans 1:18–23, ESV)

To think otherwise is spiritually naive.

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I have not read much from the ancient Near East, but what I have read seems to be more dis-similar than similar.

Why the parallelism/parallelomania?  Are there truly parallels to be found that show these similarities, or is it a sort of wishful thinking on the part of those finding the parallels?

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