Episode 2: Our origin story

Scriptures for this conversation:

In this episode Karla and Craig introduce a different creation story. As Jewish and Christian traditions are shaped by the two creation stories in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, a people descending from Noah’s children forge a separate creation story. The Enuma Elish is the story of the people who rise from the family of Noah’s son, Ham, and his descendant, Nimrod (Genesis 10.8-10). In Jewish rabbinic literature and legend, Nimrod was considered a warrior against his brothers, and even sought to destroy Abraham. In the languages of the ancient near east, different renderings of the name “Nimrod” show similarities with the Babylonian god, Marduk (Jewish Encyclopedia). In the biblical story, Nimrod is a hunter, whose Hebrew name means ‘rebel’, and is the founder of the city and kingdom of Babylon. From the erecting of the Tower of Babel to the antagonistic relationship with Babylon throughout the biblical story, the legacy of Nimrod is significant.

A Different Creation Story

Take a few minutes to learn about the Babylonian creation story, the Enuma Elish. Here is a very brief summary: https://youtu.be/AjyhjXXNXPE

Many historians and anthropologists notice many similarities. But there are some vital differences when it comes to what human beings are understood to be and become. Nimrod and his city/state become an embodiment of the counter story in which the human being is created with a much different status and purpose.

Consider:

1. How would you describe the differences in the stories?

2. What is the purpose of the human being?

3. Which story seems prevalent throughout history?

4. When re-reading the Genesis creation stories in the first two chapters, what is the purpose of the human being, and what is the relationship like with God? Compare that with the tale of the Enuma Elish?

5. Read Psalm 8 to reconsider what the image of God is in human beings