Essay on The Bible Among the Myths Summary - 3696 Words

SUMMARY OF JOHN N. OSWALT’S BOOK THE BIBLE AMONG THE MYTHS David Strickland Old Testament Introduction - OBST 590 June 1, 2013 Introduction The author, John N. Oswalt, was first introduced to the subject of this book in his seminary studies in the 1960s. Oswalt introduces his book with a narrative of the similarities and differences that exist between the Old Testament and the literature of the Ancient Near East. Prior to the 1960s scholars believed that the Old Testament was unique and did not resemble the literature of the surrounding cultures, but now there has been a shift in thought. Many scholars believe today that the Old Testament is virtually identical to Ancient Near East writings. This issue of differences and†¦show more content†¦Oswalt starts his definition process by discussing the debate of whether the Bible has a distinctive view of reality. Until fifty years ago most scholars believed that biblical literature did not share the characteristics of myth. Today there has been a radical shift in opinions, such as the possibility that mythical thought and mythical literature are at the v ery heart of Israel’s religion.1 Oswalt believes that this change is based on assumptions and not on new discoveries. The problem of definition encompasses the first obstacle when defining a myth. The validity of a definition must be evaluated. The first problem is that a definition must be broad enough to include all the items that share common characteristics but narrow enough to exclude items that only have a few common characteristics. The second problem has to do with the nature of the definition and whether it provides a description or an evaluation. Oswalt groups definitions of myth according to their type as either historical-philosophical or phenomenological. He then subdivides historical-philosophical into etymological, sociological and literary. Etymological definitions of myth emphasize the falsity of what is being described and are frequently too broad. In sociological definitions of myth, truth is seen as relative. Perception of something being true makes it tru e. Oswalt labels his final subdivision of historical-philosophicalShow MoreRelatedChapter Summary: The Bible Among the Myths Essay5414 Words   |  22 PagesIntroduction Oswalt first learned about the issues in â€Å"The Bible Among the Myths† while taking a class taught by Dennis Kinlaw at Asbury Theological Seminary. His interest in the subject has grown since with graduate study and his own classes which he taught. William F. Albright, his students, and G. Ernest Wright led the rethinking of the evolutionary paradigm within the philosophy of Idealism. Although they believed the differences between the ways the Israelites thought and their neighbor’sRead MoreEssay on Book Summary of the Bible Among the Myths2904 Words   |  12 PagesIntroduction Author John N. Oswalt begins The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? with a concise and well-written introduction that whets the reader’s appetite, compelling one to continue reading. He begins by informing the reader that his novel has been in the works dating all of the way back to the 1960s, when he attended the Asbury Theological Seminary. Oswalt quickly points out that one of the main points that the book will focus on is determining if â€Å"theRead MoreEssay about Book Summary The Bible Among the Myths2835 Words   |  12 Pageswas unique among other beliefs in the Ancient Near East but they now view the Old Testament as identical to other religions of its day and time. The author also discusses the vital philosophical distinction between â€Å"essence† and â€Å"accident.† When removing an essential feature of an object, it will cease to be itself but if you remove an accidental feature of an object, there will be no change in the object’s essential being. The author also introduces the characteristics of myth. 1) ThatRead MoreBook Summary: the Bible Among the Myths by John N. Oswalt Essay3529 Words   |  15 PagesABSTRACT John Oswalt, in his book The Bible Among the Myths, presents his position to the reader that the bible is different and separate from other writings of the Ancient Near East. He asserts the Bible is both historically accurate and theologically sound. He makes the defense the Bible was divinely inspired and revealed to humanity and unique from other Ancient Near East literature. There was a time when the Bible, and the Israelite religion was different from its neighboring societies.Read MoreMs Paul2146 Words   |  9 PagesBible Among the Myths Malcom College English 093 Ms. Smith 01/23/2012 Introduction The book is an analysis of the Biblical view of the world and compares it other works in the Ancient Near East of that time with the development of the Bible. This is done by an in-depth analysis of the underlying beliefs inherent in mythology and the Biblical text. Of primary significance is the authors portrayal of the Biblical insistence on monotheism and divine transcendence compared to the polytheisticRead MoreThe Gods Of The Ancient World1105 Words   |  5 Pagesdirectly in the King James Version of the Bible, such as Ashtoreth, Diana and Lilith. Although, the word ‘prostitute’ exists only once (Lev 19:29), still, prostitution happens to be identified with various words; such as â€Å"whore(s), whoredom(s). harlot(s), pollute or polluted;† (which can mean prostitute) that encounters being mentioned frequently. The prophets of the Bible warned regarding whoring after other gods and goddesses and the cult prostitutes developed among the numerous idols the Israelites lustedRead MoreThe Convictions Of A Person s Convictions910 Words   |  4 PagesThis is a list of rules, self-defined rules. We adapt to those rules and expect others to do the same. Next is libertinism. Libertinism, is explained as taking liberties. We take liberties in that the Bible has not directly forbidden specific things so we are not breaking any rules by doing them. Among these limits are four convictions to avoid. They are convictions that are little more than superstition, convictions that attract attention for a selfish ego, convictions generated by an unwillingnessRead MoreThe Cyclops Scene In Flannery OConnors Good Country People1508 Words   |  7 Pageswhat it literally is. Symbolism helps the reader remember the ideas or characters a writer wants the reader to remember. This is true for Good Country People. Good Country People focuses on a young woman named Joy, who has an artificial leg. A Bible seller named Manley Pointer comes into her life, a nd eventually he steals Joy’s artificial leg. Flannery O’Connor, the author of Good Country People, was a boarder of Robert and Sally Fitzgerald (Alexander 2016). Robert Fitzgerald is known as oneRead MoreThe Myth Of Epic Of Gilgamesh 1879 Words   |  8 PagesHistory 10 Professor Chrissanthos 4 October, 2016 From Myth to Religion The Sumerian myth â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† is known to be the oldest written fictional story of all time. The original script, discovered on 12 clay tablets in ancient Sumeria, covers the adventures of a real historical figure (Ralph): the Sumarian King of Uruk, who lived sometime between the years 2750 and 2500 B.C. (Epic) The adventures of Gilgamesh were so popular among the people of that era (the earliest written versions ofRead MoreThe Core Essence Of Servant Leadership From A Biblical Perspective1605 Words   |  7 Pages‘Servant Leadership’ from a Biblical perspective, which might be able to provide practical, theological, and hermeneutical insights in order to develop leadership competency and a healthy prosperous ministry, as oppose to the current secular ‘leadership’ myths and fascination in our church, culture and society. Admittedly, over the years I have always admired and strived to adopt a servant leader attitude in all my endeavo rs. Equally, the paper will reflect on ‘Servant Leadership’ through the lens of Jesus