"Greenwood's volume provides students with a highly useful resource for studying both the background and the afterlife of the first two chapters of Genesis. The volume ably demonstrates that 'literal' readings are hardly ever univocal."  
\--__William P. Brown__, Columbia Theological Seminary  
  
"The creation narratives found in the first chapters of Genesis have been foundational for Judaism and Christianity, and indeed for Western culture more broadly, for millennia. This volume gathers together excellent studies by leading scholars who offer insight into how Judaism and Christianity have drawn nourishment from these texts and, in so doing, show us how they can continue to stimulate our lives and faith."  
\--__Fr. John Behr__, St. Vladimir's Seminary  
  
"Since the Beginning offers a kaleidoscopic array of interpretations of Genesis 1-2. The contributors provide a symphonic experience as they guide readers through an exploration of the creation narrative within the canonical context and the Ancient Near Eastern context, from the premodern era to the present. The rich variety makes this volume a useful resource for both classes and personal study."  
\--__Laura Suzanne Lieber__, Center for Jewish Studies, Duke University; director of the Duke-UNC Center for Late Ancient Studies  
  
"As the relationship between science and the Bible is under constant discussion, many think that a long-standing consensus in church history is being challenged. In this book, however, readers discover that this perceived consensus is actually a controversy that has stretched throughout the history of interpretation. Here they discover various voices and interpretations that have characterized the discussion. Such valuable information gives us pause before concluding that Christianity has always been of one mind about these issues. An extremely important volume that elegantly addresses these fundamental questions."  
\--__John H. Walton__, Wheaton College  
  
"This contribution to the ever-growing body of literature on the book of Genesis fills a void by providing in one volume a thorough examination of the 'afterlife' of Gen 1-2. It will make us better conversationalists by helping us to listen more attentively to past conversations on these centrally important texts."  
\--__Bill T. Arnold__, Asbury Theological Seminary  
  
"Readers are treated to a fascinating, centuries-long discussion of the 'afterlife' of Genesis 1-2, which helps them to discern the difference between what the text itself says and what others have said about the text. A must-read for anyone studying the early chapters of Genesis!"  
\--__Catherine McDowell__, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina

__Kyle R. Greenwood__ (PhD, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion) has taught at Colorado Christian University and Denver Seminary. He is the author of Scripture and Cosmology: Reading the Bible between the Ancient World and Modern Science.

Few passages in the Hebrew Bible have been subject to more scrutiny than Genesis 1 and 2. In this volume, a diverse international team of experts guides readers through interpretations of the Genesis creation stories throughout history, inviting them to consider perspectives from the earliest times to the present. The book offers an accurate description of how these chapters have been read through the centuries, explaining each interpretive approach in its own terms. Each chapter includes sidebars and suggestions for further reading.

An international team of experts guides readers through interpretations of the Genesis creation stories throughout history, inviting them to consider perspectives from the earliest times to the present.

__Contents__  
Preface Kyle R. Greenwood   
1. Old Testament Reverberations of Genesis 1-2 Kyle R. Greenwood 2. Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 in Second Temple Jewish Literature Michael D. Matlock 3. New Testament Appropriations of Genesis 1-2 Ira Brent Driggers 4. Early Rabbinic Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 Joel S. Allen 5. Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 among the Ante-Nicene Fathers Stephen O. Presley 6. Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 among the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers C. Rebecca Rine 7. Medieval Jewish Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 Jason Kalman 8. Medieval Christian Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 Timothy Bellamah, OP 9. Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 among the Protestant Reformers Jennifer Powell McNutt 10. Rediscovery of the Ancient Near East and Its Implications for Genesis 1-2 David T. Tsumura 11. Post-Darwinian Interpretations of Genesis 1-2 Aaron T. Smith Postscript Kyle R. Greenwood  
Indexes

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Sidebars

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Preface

1. Old Testament Reverberations of Genesis 1–2

2. Interpretations of Genesis 1–2 in Second Temple Jewish Literature

3. New Testament Appropriations of Genesis 1–2

4. Early Rabbinic Interpretations of Genesis 1–2

5. Interpretations of Genesis 1–2 among the Ante-Nicene Fathers

6. Interpretations of Genesis 1–2 among the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers

7. Medieval Jewish Interpretations of Genesis 1–2

8. Medieval Christian Interpretations of Genesis 1–2

9. Interpretations of Genesis 1–2 among the Protestant Reformers

10. Rediscovery of the Ancient Near East and Its Implications for Genesis 1–2

11. Post-Darwinian Interpretations of Genesis 1–2

Postscript

Select Bibliography

Contributors

Scripture and Ancient Sources Index

Subject Index

Back Cover

\["Looking for a commentary with a unique approach? ","This journey through Genesis ch.1&amp;2 views the text through many frameworks","This guide shows the continuing discussion and relevance of the Bible's opening "\]

The very beginning of everything is explored in this deep and wide-ranging exploration of the Bible's first two chapters.

Since the Beginning

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Since the Beginning

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