The source of the writings of the Torah has captivated many of the greatest minds in Christian thought today. Many evangelical scholars are asking; can the first five books of the bible be trusted? Where did the information come from? How can there be assurance that the information presented in the Pentateuch is truly the word of God? These questions and others like them are indeed vexing. Yet, there are theories and sources out there that seek to explain the origins of the first known writings of the bible. The Yahwist (“J”) source and the Elohist (“E”) source both present critical theories as to the origins of the earliest known section of the bible, the Torah.
The Yahwist Summary
Albert de Pury, the author of the Yahwist text outlines …show more content…
The author of the article begins by affirming the claim that E is a unique, separate source from J and P by summarizing that significant, exclusive content E comments on. The author writes that “The Genesis patriarchal narratives contain three sets of double narratives…In each pair listed, the second is attributed to E” (479). Jenks goes on to note that “these parallel narratives constitute the most important source of information about the characteristics traits of E…the E versions of these triple and double narratives use Elohim instead of Yahweh; they focus on the nature of divine revelations or disclosures to humanity, which in E generally occur in dreams” (479). As a result of this reasoning, Jenks lists numbers Old Testament passages referring to Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and the Covenant that are attributed to …show more content…
The evidence de Pury presents is heavily tied to the work of tow scholars, Von Rad and Noth. Though Noth holds that there is another source which influences J’s writings, Von Rad claim cannot be ignored that it is “J who creates the “history of salvation” that begins with the creation of the world and end with entry of Israel into Canaan” (1014). It would appear that the J sources provides the most practical and common explanation as to the origins of man and ultimately Israel’s role as the people of
The Yahwist Summary
Albert de Pury, the author of the Yahwist text outlines …show more content…
The author of the article begins by affirming the claim that E is a unique, separate source from J and P by summarizing that significant, exclusive content E comments on. The author writes that “The Genesis patriarchal narratives contain three sets of double narratives…In each pair listed, the second is attributed to E” (479). Jenks goes on to note that “these parallel narratives constitute the most important source of information about the characteristics traits of E…the E versions of these triple and double narratives use Elohim instead of Yahweh; they focus on the nature of divine revelations or disclosures to humanity, which in E generally occur in dreams” (479). As a result of this reasoning, Jenks lists numbers Old Testament passages referring to Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and the Covenant that are attributed to …show more content…
The evidence de Pury presents is heavily tied to the work of tow scholars, Von Rad and Noth. Though Noth holds that there is another source which influences J’s writings, Von Rad claim cannot be ignored that it is “J who creates the “history of salvation” that begins with the creation of the world and end with entry of Israel into Canaan” (1014). It would appear that the J sources provides the most practical and common explanation as to the origins of man and ultimately Israel’s role as the people of