I recently read some thoughts that Richard S. Hess shared about The Epic of Eden in the Denver Journal 25 (2022). https://denverjournal.denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/the-epic-of-eden-a-christian-entry-into-the-old-testament/
I really like his summary of the Richter's lessons. I've selected some of his thoughts on the introduction and Chapter One below. Summarizing what we have heard and read is key to remembering and learning it. I hope Dr. Hess' words and a few of my own (which are in blue), help you in learning what we listen to and read this week.
“Introduction: The Dysfunctional Closet Syndrome?” Everyone can identify with that closet where our things are in a mess. It at once both draws in the reader with a relatable word picture and provides a clear connection with the third challenge of why the Old Testament is often unreachable for students. There are too many disorganized facts and theories in this huge book. The second reason is also easy to connect with. The Old Testament seems too far removed in time and place. 'Christians have not been taught that the story of the Old Testament is their story.' "
Chapter 1, 'The Bible as the Story of Redemption,' begins with the challenge of Jesus as the pale, white man in which he is often encountered."
Richter teaches that Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others. This often leads to judging other cultures based on our own cultural standards. It's very easy for people in our time and culture to judge the people of the old testament which was before 4,000 BC. That was so very long ago and the culture vastly, hugely different from ours. Talk about a generation gap!
"Richter seeks to present, with helpful illustrations, that ancient society. She introduces the bayt ʾab “house of the father” as the extended family headed by the patriarch and as the basic unit of society. This was led by the eldest male and would be passed on to the firstborn male.
Richter shines with reflections on the role of a woman’s identity and on the matter of the practice of marrying the widow of one's childless brother to maintain his line, as required by ancient Hebrew law."
From the book, The Epic of Eden: " Yahweh is presenting himself as the patriarch of the clan who has announced his intent to redeem his lost family members. Not only has he agreed to pay whatever Ransom is required, but he has sent the most cherished member of his household to accomplish his intent- his firstborn son. And not only is the firstborn coming to seek and save The Lost, but he is coming to share his inheritance with those who have squandered everything. They have been given. His goal? To restore the Lost family members to the bet' ab So that where he is, they may be also. This is why we speak of each other as brother and sister, why we know God as the Father, why we call ourselves the household of Faith. God is buying back his lost children by sending his eledest son, his heir, to 'give His life as a ransom for many' (Mt 20:28). so that we the alienated might bo 'adopted as sons' and share forever in the inheritance of this 'firstborn of all creation"
