Free Essay

Creation of the World (Response to the Greek Version)

In:

Submitted By bloom091090
Words 1624
Pages 7
In the beginning there was Nothing. Nothing was blind, Nothing was deaf, and Nothing was mute. Suddenly with no warning a huge, fiery crack appeared in Nothing and Nothing was broken. Sound came racing out, like a banshee shriek, as loud as a blasting cannon. Light came bounding out next, huge, fiery, and blindingly white. Light and Sound became huge and filled the space around them. So strong was their joy of their freedom, that they grabbed each other’s arms and began an excruciating dance. Their arms and their legs flailed about in a wild fashion, and blood dripped from their brows. Loud crashes and booms rang all about them, a white fire engulfed them, and still they danced. Sparks began to fly outward spinning around them. The sparks became chaos and they began to chase each other in the most frightening manner. The sparks were alive also; they collided into one another nearly splitting the very fabric of being. If one were to look upon this sight it would have looked as if the only that existed was this fire.

Light and Sound looked about themselves in fascination as they danced, the sparks could no longer be called sparks, for they were taking on bodily forms such as Light and Sound. A long arm loomed suddenly at them and a body of the most exquisite beauty followed. The complexion of this body was as pale as our moon, and deathly beautiful. With such beauty and grace she leapt forth to Light and Sound and knelt upon her dainty knees. Light and Sound broke apart and stared with wonder at the beauty before them. They wondered was it them that had created such an angelic being. She smiled up at them and declared herself their daughter that she sprang forth from their joy and was now here to be loyal and true to them. Light and Sound knelt beside their daughter and embraced her. All the while the sparks were still flying

As they knelt beside their first born, many other beings began to take shape. Another beautiful face appeared, although with skin a golden bronze. She was shorter than the first daughter and full of roundness and curves, her cheeks were round and full as was her bust and hips. She seemed to glow; she aligned herself beside her sister and also knelt before her parents. Sound and Light exclaimed sounds of joy and enveloped her also. Something else began to form, this time a man, who was magnificent and handsome. He was the color of sun, his eyes were like warm chocolate and he had long golden curls, and when he smiled such rich light poured from his mouth, and he radiated heat. He too knelt with the sisters. Others knelt too, a second brother, whose was dark as night, with raven hair, and velvet skin, his eyes were intelligent and clever, he was smaller than the first three, just as beautiful, and very still and quiet, the depth of night contained within him. Two figures stood next, strong and beautiful, skin the palest blue; they carried smiles full of laughter, their skin looked hardened, like stone, and they were as graceful as the first child. They were male and female and looked very much alike. They were the tallest of the children. The next child was the smallest, with skin the color of leaves. She was slender and petite, although very strong. She carried a joy within her which bubbled through with her small, wild movements. Her laughter was sweeter than a child’s and stronger than an adult’s and she was also extremely beautiful. The last child was a son, wild and untamed, he was small also, but he could lift a mountain if his mood beckoned him to do so. He was brown and covered in wild hair. His hair fell from the crown of his head and raced over his body like a forest, covering his legs, chest, and arms, his face was the only untouched place. He looked ferocious and frightening, but his heart was made of loyalty and courage, and he was the most trust worthy of all the children, he too contained beauty although untamed beauty.

Sound and Light were at a loss of words seeing their children kneeling before them. Their faces so beautiful and strong, and minds so intelligent; Sound and Light clung to each other and wept tears of happiness. The children rose and joined hands and began to dance, such as their parents did before them. They spun round and round, kicking and sailing to and fro. Their minds free and bodies bound to the rhythmic beating of their feet. Colors weaving intricate patterns before the mother and father; wild and chaotic, so tragically beautifully they danced. With the heel of a foot dust began to swirl. The dust moved within the rhythm and magic of the dance and began to form strange and mysterious forms.

The forms began to clash violently against one another and a clanging thunder rang out, the children still danced, oblivious to the chaos. The forms stretched the space around them as they became more restless. As the dancing continued huge chunks of dust raced through and around the dance. As the chunks grew numerous and powerful, the immortal beings took heed of them. They watched as the very first stars were born, made of the dust of their heels. They stared in wonder as space took place around them, as if space were a stage, the stars and planets the props. They found themselves sitting in a strange place. It was as if the whole of space engorged itself until it was over five times the size it started as. The beings didn’t fill the space up as they did before, now they were small and gathered on something solid. The eldest child, with skin as pale as the moon, rose up and looked around. As she rose, a rustling filled the air; she breathed in sharply and collapsed. The others ran to her and tried to wake her. Her eyes fluttered open.

“I smell it, I smell myself here; this is my creation. This is mine.”

She got to her feet.

“Here I feel wonderful, as if something is surging in my veins. I belong here.”

She gazed around and saw other shapes and forms in the dark.

“We must have all created something, something that is ours.”

Her family glanced around in wonder.

“I am Luna” She declares suddenly, “I have created the moon, I must be a Goddess”

The Gods and Goddess then leapt from the moon as if tree frogs to find their creations. Each young God and Goddess found their creation.

“This is mine,” called the second eldest daughter, the round, beautiful one. “I am Terra, the Goddess of Earth”

Earth was close by to the moon and also close to a brilliant, huge, glowing orb that the first born son was calling from.

“I am Soli the God of the Sun.”

The twins, with the skin the color of water, went to Earth and found vast Seas, Oceans, Rivers, and Lakes that they had created. They were the God and Goddess of Water; their names were Aequoris and Pulvia. The green child also came to Earth and found the first life. The lives were the plants, she giggled with glee, because she was the Goddess of Plants, Pomi. The youngest son also followed his sister to Earth and found different forms of life, the animals of land and sea, he was the God Alis. With life came death, and the dark God knew what he had created, He was the God of Death, Nex.

It was the most alluring and delightful self-discovery in history, the beautiful children discovered they were Gods and Goddesses. They ruled with peace and gentleness. Luna created a palace city of the Gods on her moon, filled with gardens and beauty; it was a peaceful and restful place. Each God had homes in the palace city but Aequoris and Pulvia lived in the ocean, Pomi and Alis lived among the living things on Earth as did Terra, Soli lived upon the fiery gases of the sun, and Nex lived with Luna on the moon, because Luna built a beautiful heaven for the dead on her moon and Nex shepherded the animals there after their death. Light and Sound were also Gods, yet they ruled over nothing except their children. Light and Sound spent time equally upon Earth, the Sun and Moon.

There was prosperity and joy for the Gods. They soon felt something was missing though. They thoroughly discussed in colorful and eloquent debates in the City Of Gods what the missing piece to their eternal lives were and not one of them with their developed intelligences could discover what it was. They searched and searched to no avail. They soon became listless and mournful. Light and Sound came up with a solution. One night Light and Sound began to dance as they did in the beginning. They danced wildly and the blood began to fall from their scabbed feet as they drummed their feet, sparks began to fly once again, but this time Light and Sound stopped early. They waited eagerly, breathless, waiting to see if this will end their searching, to see if this creation will be the answer, The sparks began to create a form of life that looked part animal and part God, it was the first human, Light and Sound had created the first human; a human capable of thinking, of worshipping. The Gods had issued in a new time for themselves and the listlessness and mourning were over.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

What Is Apologetics

...An apology, as the term is used here, is not saying "I'm sorry." Rather, it means a ready defense; "offered in defense or vindication, especially of the divine origin and authority of Christianity." Thus an apology is a defense of what you believe to be true. An apologist is a person who makes the defense. And apologetics is a "systematic argumentative discourse in defense." (All quotes in this paragraph taken from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. The reason I should defend my faith as First Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." When non-Christians ask tough questions about the Christian faith, I will be able to give a solid and logical response. If not, there is an opportunity lost to spread God's Word. Worse, the Christian who has a weak foundation for his faith can be easily shaken by the doubts of non-believers. Though not everything in the Bible can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is far more proof than most people Christian or non-Christian are aware of. As apologists for my faith, it is my job to line up the available evidence, base my decisions upon it, and present the evidence to others to help give them an intelligent foundation for their decisions. "An intelligent Christian ought to be able to point up the flaws in a non-Christian position and to present facts and arguments which tell in favor of the gospel. If our apologetic prevents us from explaining...

Words: 3503 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Pain and Suffering

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Pain and Suffering A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JIM ZABLOSKI SEMI 500- B15 LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY Donald Clark LYNCHBURG, VA February 3, 2015 Contents Title Page……………………………………………………….1 Table of Contents………………………………………………2 Introduction…………………………………………………….3 History and Beliefs……………………………………………..4 The Logical Consistency and Moral Judgment of God………..5 Conclusion……………………………………………………...9 Bibliography……………………………………………………11 Introduction One of the most frequently asked questions in today’s society is “why do bad things happen to good people?” Why does God allow suffering and evil things to happen? These questions are central to a Christian’s faith. These questions have not gone unexplored in the cannon of Christian philosophy. Job, Augustine, C.S. Lewis, and others have all considered and contributed to an ongoing dialogue surrounding these issues. For some, the stories of personal sufferings, persecution, and martyrdom provide them a rallying point and as well as constant reminders of the pain Christ faced at the cross and what it took to pay the price for sin; while others suggest that suffering are character-building endeavors. One thing is sure: suffering is an important and ever present element of the Christian faith. Pain and suffering are controversial subjects encompassing all aspects of their meaning from whether God allows it?1 Does God bring it about? Who and what are the intended recipients...

Words: 2630 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Microsoft Word

...Myth and Scripture resources for Biblical Study Susan ackerman, Old testament/hebrew Bible editor number 78 Myth and Scripture conteMporary perSpectiveS on religion, language, and iMagination Edited by dexter e. callender Jr. SBl press atlanta copyright © 2014 by SBl press all rights reserved. no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 copyright act or in writing from the publisher. requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the rights and permissions office, Society of Biblical literature, 825 houston Mill road, atlanta, ga 30329 uSa. library of congress cataloging-in-publication data Myth and scripture : contemporary perspectives on religion, language, and imagination / Dexter E. Callender, Jr., editor. p. cm. — (Society of Biblical literature resources for biblical study ; number 78) includes bibliographical references and index. iSBn 978-1-58983-961-8 (paper binding : alk. paper) — iSBn 978-1-58983-962-5 (electronic format) — iSBn 978-1-58983-963-2 (hardcover binding : alk. paper) 1. Myth in the Bible. 2. Bible. old testament—criticism, interpretation, etc. i. callender, dexter e., 1962– editor of compilation. ii. callender, dexter e., 1962– author. Myth and Scripture : dissonance and convergence.. BS520.5.M98 2014 220.6'8—dc23 2014002897...

Words: 5482 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

Noah and the Epic of Gilgamesh

...Neessa Fleurant 04/27/12 ENGL 175 Major influence Although the narrative or story of Noah and the flood is one of the great stories in the Bible, many question its originality. The biblical version of the flood in Genesis 6-10 is “quite close in many respects to the Mesopotamian flood stories” (The New Oxford Annotated Bible pg 19), which were written beforehand. As much as they are similar, there are significant differences that distinguish the two tales and their reliability. The epic of Gilgamesh, written by the Sumerians between 2700 B.C. and 600 B.C., is the most famous parallel to the story of Noah in the bible. It focuses on the king of Uruk Gilgamesh, and his quest for immortality after the death of his friend. This quest leads him to Utnapishtim, (character equivalent to the biblical Noah) who is the “immortal flood hero” (Wikipedia). Utnapishtim then recounts to Gilgamesh the story of how he survived the flood. There are seven main similarities between the flood in the epic of Gilgamesh and that of Genesis. The foremost and obvious is that both of the characters were warned to build a boat to escape a flood. Secondly families of both Noah and Utnapishtim were saved along with the sampling of animals they were instructed to gather. Third, both floods are believed to have occurred on or in the Mesopotamian plain. Next come the fact that both boats were sealed with tar, and during the flood both men sent out a dove and raven to determine...

Words: 1455 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Greekmyths

...U MYTHOLOGY U GODS AND GODDESSES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY Michelle M. Houle Copyright © 2001 by Michelle M. Houle All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Houle, Michelle M. Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology / Michelle M. Houle. p. cm. — (Mythology) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: Discusses various Greek myths, including creation stories and tales of principal gods and goddesses. ISBN 0-7660-1408-8 1. Mythology, Greek—Juvenile literature. [1. Mythology, Greek.] I. Title. II. Mythology (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) BL782 .H68 2000 398.2’0938’01—dc21 00-028782 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Our Readers: All Internet Addresses in this book were active and appropriate when we went to press. Any comments or suggestions can be sent by e-mail to Comments@enslow.com or to the address on the back cover. Cover and illustrations by William Sauts Bock CONTENTS Chart of Major Gods and Goddesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The War Between the Titans and the Olympians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Prometheus and Earth’s First Inhabitants . . . . . . . . . . . ....

Words: 26757 - Pages: 108

Premium Essay

The Euro-Zone Crisis – Causes, the Crisis and Reformation Policies (with Special Reference to Greece)

...the euro-zone crisis – causes, the crisis and reformation policies (with special reference to greece) the euro-zone ‘The Eurozone’ is the nickname commonly used to describe the member states that use the EU’s single currency, the Euro. The idea of creating a single currency for the European Community was first mentioned in the 1970 Werner report, which led to the establishing of the European Monetary System (EMS), the forerunner of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Maastricht Treaty (1992) made EMU a part of EU law and set out a plan to introduce the single currency (the Euro) by 1999. The Maastricht Treaty also established certain budgetary and monetary rules for countries wishing to join the EMU (known as the convergence criteria). In 1998, 11 member states (Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Austria and Finland) undertook the final stage of EMU when they adopted a single exchange rate, which was set by the European Central Bank (Britain, Sweden and Denmark negotiated an opt-out from this final states of EMU). The new Euro notes and coins were launched on 1 January 2002. There are currently 16 EU states in the Eurozone. Greece joined the initial 11 members in 2001, Slovenia joined in 2007, Cyprus and Malta in 2008, and Slovakia joined in 2009. Estonia is due to join the Eurozone in 2011. All future members of the EU must adopt the Euro when they fulfil the convergence criteria. Economic and Monetary Union...

Words: 13043 - Pages: 53

Free Essay

Worldview

...inhabitants (my teleology), my beliefs about the existence and nature of God (my theology), my beliefs about the nature and purpose of Man (my anthropology), and my beliefs about the nature of value and the value of things (my axiology). The general beliefs that are my worldview shape not only how I see the world, but also profoundly influence the particular beliefs I come to hold, the judgements and decisions I make, and all that I think, say, and do. My worldview is so fundamental to what I do, and indeed, what I am, that it would be intellectually dishonest for me not to offer it for examination. If you are to understand me and to understand what I say and do, you must know something of my worldview. So I set it forth for you here, not in the form of a lengthy argument, but as a set of assertions. I believe them to be true, but I leave it to you to reflect on them yourself and judge their validity. I am a Christian, and my worldview is a biblical Christian worldview. So I have decided to present it in the form of an exposition of one of my favorite passages from the Bible, the Prologue to the Gospel according to John the Apostle (John 1:1-18, New International Version): In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life,...

Words: 5729 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Hospitality in the Iliad and Odyssey

...war, hospitality is provided to even the enemy. Housing strangers in one’s home was very common then, as many weary travelers trod by foot or sailed by boat to reach far-off destinations, making stops along the way. Moreover, since the Greeks believed the gods walked the earth amongst them, then turning down a travelers request, could mean rejecting a god masked from view. The Greeks took no chances in this regard; and with only a few exceptions, Homer’s literary characters comply with this religious doctrine and cultural norm. Hospitality in Ancient Greece, as portrayed by Homer, accounts, in part, for their longstanding world dominance and aligns itself in many ways with the Christianity enjoyed by many peace-loving nations of today. The guest-host relationship in both The Iliad and The Odyssey remain constant, the differences between the two dependent only on the differing circumstances posed by each tale (Biggs, Joseph, Schrodt & Dustan, n.d.) Today, America’s dominance in world affairs can be accounted for in part by attitudes towards the civil treatment of those in distress. In Ancient Greece, fear of the gods’ wrath played into what would otherwise be accounted for as acts of generosity. According to Biggs, fear posed by Greek gods dictates most aspects of their lives (n.d.). Similarly, fear of God accounts for many Christian acts of...

Words: 3496 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Ancient Greek Medicine Research Paper

...The ancient Greek medicine is considered the foundation of modern medicine, and rightfully so, as many theories and concepts invented then are still used today. The Greeks invented the notion of a healthy lifestyle that people had to do more than prevent sickness to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Greeks also saw the growth of two medical geniuses, Hippocrates and Galen whose work inspired many doctors and is continuing many doctors today. While Greek medical advancements might seem antiquated and old-fashioned, the Greeks laid the foundation for modern medicine and the effects of the ancient discoveries can be felt from medical symbols, equipment, theories and similarities in lifestyles. Many of the theories, concepts and medicinal practices...

Words: 3277 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Paper

...We are now living in the 21st century. Everything around us is changing. Our society is broader and our global network is smaller than ever. Technology has permitted us the opportunity to become global citizens. Our world has evolved from the days of Abraham and Sarah, of being a patriarchial, agrarian society. We are now a society of consumers and capitalism drives our economy. Everything about our society has changed. Even for some, the definition of marriage, a covenant before God between one man and one woman, is also being challenged by gay rights activists. As man has evolved in his practice of Christianity, no longer being bound by the Mosaic law, has God changed his purpose for marriage? We know him to be, according to Psalm 102:27, a spiritual being who will never change or end. As God never changes neither does his definition of marriage. I will prove that the sanctity of marriage should be upheld as the standard of Christianity between one man and one woman. Marriage is a covenant before God. It is consummated by sexual intercourse between the man and the woman. Andreas Köstenberger, author of God, Marriage, and Family, advises on five marital concepts to which all Godly relationships must commit. First, marriage is permanent. Divorce is not an option except in certain circumstances advised by Jesus in Matthew 19:9 Those seeking to marry should seek out wise counsel. Second, marriage is sacred before God and he honors it because he created...

Words: 3279 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Marriage

...We are now living in the 21st century. Everything around us is changing. Our society is broader and our global network is smaller than ever. Technology has permitted us the opportunity to become global citizens. Our world has evolved from the days of Abraham and Sarah, of being a patriarchial, agrarian society. We are now a society of consumers and capitalism drives our economy. Everything about our society has changed. Even for some, the definition of marriage, a covenant before God between one man and one woman, is also being challenged by gay rights activists. As man has evolved in his practice of Christianity, no longer being bound by the Mosaic law, has God changed his purpose for marriage? We know him to be, according to Psalm 102:27, a spiritual being who will never change or end. As God never changes neither does his definition of marriage. I will prove that the sanctity of marriage should be upheld as the standard of Christianity between one man and one woman. Marriage is a covenant before God. It is consummated by sexual intercourse between the man and the woman. Andreas Köstenberger, author of God, Marriage, and Family, advises on five marital concepts to which all Godly relationships must commit. First, marriage is permanent. Divorce is not an option except in certain circumstances advised by Jesus in Matthew 19:9 Those seeking to marry should seek out wise counsel. Second, marriage is sacred before God and he honors it because he created...

Words: 3279 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Greece and the Fiscal Crisis in the Emu

...Greece and the fiscal crisis in the EMU Willem H. Buiter Chief Economist, Citigroup Ebrahim Rahbari Economist, Citigroup 07-09-2010 1 Abstract The paper analyses the sovereign debt crisis in Greece and other Euro Area countries and the response of the national authorities, the EU institutions (including the ECB) and the IMF. We use economic and political economy perspectives and consider both positive and normative aspects of the crisis and the policy responses. Authors: Willem H. Buiter Chief Economist Citigroup Citi Investment Research and Analysis Citigroup Centre Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB, UK Phone: +44 (0) 20 7986 5944 PA Phone: + 44 (0)20 7986 3213 Fax: +44 (0) 7986 3221 Mob: +44 (0)7540961927 Skype: willemhbuiter Web: http://www.nber.org/~wbuiter Ebrahim Rahbari Economist, Citigroup Citi Investment Research and Analysis Citigroup Centre Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB, UK Phone: +44 (20) 7986-6522 Fax: +44 (0) 7986 3221 Key Words: Sovereign default, fiscal sustainability, bail-out, Euro Area JEL Classification: E42, E44, E58, E62, E65, G01, H62 2 1. Introduction The saga of the Greek public finances continues. But this time, Greece is not the only country that suffers from doubts about the sustainability of its fiscal position. Quite the contrary. The public finances of most countries in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) are in a worse state today than at any time since the industrial revolution, except for wartime...

Words: 10464 - Pages: 42

Premium Essay

History of Evolution

...History of Evolution The word "evolution" in its broadest sense refers to change or growth that occurs in a particular order. Although this broad version of the term would include astronomical evolution and the evolution of computer design, this article focuses on the evolution of biological organisms. That use of the term dates back to the ancient Greeks, but today the word is more often used to refer to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory is sometimes crudely referred to as the theory of "survival of the fittest." It was proposed by Charles Darwin in On the Origin of Species in 1859 and, independently, by Alfred Wallace in 1858—although Wallace, unlike Darwin, said the human soul is not the product of evolution. Greek and medieval references to "evolution" use it as a descriptive term for a state of nature, in which everything in nature has a certain order or purpose. This is a teleological view of nature. For example, Aristotle classified all living organisms hierarchically in his great scala naturae or Great Chain of Being, with plants at the bottom, moving through lesser animals, and on to humans at the pinnacle of creation, each becoming progressively more perfect in form. It was the medieval philosophers, such as Augustine, who began to incorporate teleological views of nature with religion: God is the designer of all creatures, and everything has a purpose and a place as ordained by Him. In current times, to some, the terms "evolution" and...

Words: 4509 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Is Buddhism an Atheistic Religion?

...Is Buddhism an Atheistic religion? Responding this question is really difficult as its answer may be different depending on who is replying it. The answer depends on the definition one gives to certain words. Words like religion, theism, atheism and god. So to answer this question, these words must first be defined. Religion is defined in the World Encyclopedia as “A code of beliefs and practices formulated in response to a spiritual awareness of existence. It may involve either faith in a state of existence after earthly death, or a desire for union with an omnipotent spiritual being, or a combination of the two.” Another definition is found in Émile Durkheim’s book The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life, Book 1. He states: "Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things which unite into one single moral community called a church, all those who adhere to them." The definition provided by the World Encyclopedia points out that the code of beliefs we understand as religion, has to do with a supreme being/God or in a state of existence after earthly life, this state of existence is in some religions called Heaven. In contrast, Durkheim avoids references to the supernatural or God in his description. There is controversy in the subject, as there are many scholars who’s definition of religion has a relation with a supreme being or god and other scholars who argue that religions do not involve a belief in a God or in nothing related to the...

Words: 2245 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Matthew

...An Exegesis of Matthew An Exegesis of Matthew 5:1-12 Matthew 5:1-12, commonly known as the Beatitudes, has been loved by every generation since first pronounced by Christ two thousand years ago. Matthew writes this record of the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus, and he places this message soon after Jesus' baptism and calling of the disciples. The Beatitudes are the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount, the longest recorded teaching during Christ's lifetime. We will begin by looking at this section as it lays within the book of Matthew and then go to a more in-depth exegetical study. Literary Context The most popular approach to Matthew's structure is the presentation of five major discourses, each ending with a formula statement that is foreign to other Biblical discourses, placed in a framework of narrative[1] (Talbert 15). In fact, "the five discourses are so clearly marked, from a literary point of view, that it is well-nigh impossible to believe that Matthew did not plan them" (Carson 63). Each of these discourses brings forth a topic of central importance for both the gospel rendition of the historical Jesus and the later experience of the church (Batdorf 26). The narrative section leading to the first discourse, from Matthew 3:1 to 4:25, chronicles not simply the biography of a man preparing for ministry, but the establishment of Messianic history and authority. We come to an understanding of Matthew's first and foremost discourse, the Sermon on the Mount...

Words: 4325 - Pages: 18