...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Arthil Valena Hum 105 May 23, 2016 David Hudson Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures There are many creation myths that originate from different cultures. Every culture has its own unique myth that explains creation and how the world and life came to be (Leonard & McClure, 2004). Although each culture has a different way of explaining the story of creation, there are some similarities and differences among them. Two of the myths that are more divergent in content are the Edda creation myth from Norse culture and the Genesis creation myth from Hebrew culture. Although both creation stories have more than one realm, they differ in how they break each area down. Both creation myths also have a god or gods as the beginning creators. All cultures have their own creation myths and it is interesting to see the similarities and differences between Monotheistic and Polytheistic There are many worlds or realms to take into consideration when discussing the Norse creation myth. In the beginning there was a realm called Muspell which was made of fire, and a realm called Niflheim which was made of ice (Leonard & McClure, 2004). Between both of these realms was a sea of emptiness called Ginnungagap (Leonard & McClure, 2004). All three of the realms were not considered to be part of the heavens or the earth but rather before earth. These realms were the beginning or pre-worlds of the Norse creation myths. According...
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...Christians and Stewardship of Their Environment 1. Introduction Our earthly habitat is not an unexpected occurrence of little worth, but rather, it is one to be highly valued and preserved. The biblical doctrine of creation helps the Christian to understand the true significance of the world in order to deal with the environmental crisis. The Bible says, “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited…” (King James Version, Isaiah 45:18). In Christian teaching, God not only created Heavens and Earth, but expressed His delight in His creation. This creation meant, everything encompassing the trees, the rivers and all kinds of elements that go into preserving the environment (Genesis 1:31). Therefore, the destruction of the environment is against God’s will. The main problem in the stewardship model is the fall of mankind into a state of sin and depravity (Genesis 3). As a result of the fall, we are in rebellion against God. We no longer act as the stewards we ought to be regarding the earth and its resources. Therefore, we tend towards exploitation and abuse. In addition, the earth has been cursed as a result of the fall (Romans 8:20; Genesis 3:17-18). Action Institute expressed it this way; “Nature now produces floods, fires, earthquakes, weeds, and crop destroying insects (“A Biblical Perspective on Environmental Stewardship”). This...
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...Creation Myths Kimberly L. Moore HUM/105 World Mythology Diana Bernstein February 1, 2016 Creation Myths * I have chosen the “Greek Creation Myth,” and the “Mayan Creation Myth.” * In the “Mayan Creation Myth,” the heavens and the earth are both represented. The elements of earth are: day, moon and stars, mountains and hills, streams and rivers, animals, and human beings. The heavens are represented by Veracocha’s retreat to Lake Titcaca, from which he emerges in the beginning of the myth. It also describes a sea world as the god and his companions retreat to the coast of the sea, in the end of the myth, never to be seen again (Rosenberg p. 599) In the “Greek Creation myth,” earth, the sky world, and underworld are all represented. The earth is made from the earth Goddess, Gaia. The sky, and its starry mantle are Uranus, Gaia’s husband. The underworld is a place that contains the deepest, darkest depths of the earth, but also the “Blessed Isles,” a beautiful place where the heroes go when they die (University of Phoenix, 2015). * The creator in the Mayan creation myth is Lord Con Ticci Viracocha, “prince of the heavens and the earth” (Rosenburg p.599). Viracocha created the heavens and the earth first. Then, he created the animals and a race of “gigantic human beings” (Rosenburg p.571). He was displeased with the behaviors of the animals and humans, turned them into stone, and flooded the earth killing all of its inhabitants. He began again by creating day...
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...The creation account -day 1-3:functions: time, weather, food -day -6: functionaries: human as pinnacle -day 7: god seeking a place to “rest” -1: lightday Darkness night -2: firmament in the midst of the water: water under and above the firmament Firmamentheaven -3: water under firmament be together unto one place, and the dry land appear The gathering together of water sea Dry land earth Earth bring forth grass, herb yielding seed, tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself -4:lights in the firmament of the heaven to be sign for seasons, days, and years and to divide light from darkness The greater lightrule the day The lesser lightrule the night He also made the star -5:every living creaturebe fruitful and multiply, fill the waters brought forth abundantly ,after their kind and winged fowl after his kind In the seafish Above the heavenwinged fowl Creep in the earthreptile -6: HUMAN: Gen 1:26:” And god said: let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth God blessed them, and said: be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it 2. The fall and it consequences Gen 2:4-3:24– focuses in on the end of the first creation account Characters: God, Adam, Eve, Serpent Structure: creation, prohibition...
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...several verses in the Bible that are used in support of creation ex nihilo: Creation Ex Nihilo in the Old Testament Genesis 1:1 reads, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Those who subscribe to creation ex nihilo emphasize that the Genesis 1 creation account stands out among Ancient Near East creation accounts as explicilty monotheistic and teaching that the Creator and the creation are distinct. The description of God as "the first and the last" (e.g. Isaiah 44:6) and "the Alpha and the Omega" (e.g. Revelation 1:8) are believed to relfect the uniqueness of the Creator as an eternal being. It is further understood that eternality is an atttribute of the Creator, which nothing else in the universe shares. Psalm 104:5-8 is said to support creation ex nihilo. It reads: "5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them." Psalm 24:1-2 is said to support creation ex nihilo. It reads: "1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods." Psalm 102:25-27 is said to support creation ex nihilo. It reads: "25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation...
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...anonymously by Mayans and later translated by Father Ximenez, is a myth on the creation of humans through a process of trial and error. By examining the role of speaking and its relationship to humans in Popul Vuh, we can see that the ability to speak and reason defines humanity. Speech is first introduced as just existing when the world had just begun. Any form of life had not existed except for the sea. Then the myth illustrates the power of speech when the Gods create the earth from just their words after talking and pondering together. The ability to speak has great power and is something that the Mayans felt important in their culture. The story then goes on as the Gods create animals as the first living beings. . However, these living beings were incapable of human thought and the gods expressed their dissatisfaction by saying to the animals, “You shall be replaced because you were not successful.” This begins many experiments by the Gods for the perfect human being. After being disappointed in the creations of animals, mud people, and wood people, the Gods finally create human that are capable of human thought. These humans were created by maize and water which are the necessary nutrition to sustain life for the Mayans. However these humans become another “mistake” for the Gods when they are asked to speak. The relationship between speech and reasoning is distinguished when they rename the Gods as “grandmother” and “grandfather.” The ability to give name to things show...
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...More commonly, the contemporary or liberal Christians conclude that Genesis 1 and 2 are poetic. In regards to understanding common ancestry with God, one must comply with this belief. In regards to the timing of biblical records of creation, “history narrative as a discipline did not exist.” It was more common to tell figurative stories to help people understand important factors of life, including creation. In “Is the Genesis Creation Account Poetry?” Wayne Jackson explains that after the time of the Greeks, the method of historical writings seemed to officially emerge (Jackson). This does not mean that the information in the figurative stories lacked full historical truth. Instead, it shows that the history is represented in a different way...
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...can also, show understanding on how people behave. For at least 2,000 years, scholars have speculated about how myths began. Some consider myths began as historical events that became unclear with the line of time. Others think myths resulted from an effort to explain natural occurrences that people could not value. Scholars have also urbanized others theories of how myths began. These theories answers all the questions about myths, but each contributes to an understanding of the subject. Today, people have methodical answers theories for many such questions about the world around them, also the usual events in terms of stories about gods, goddesses, and heroes. In the early days each society urbanized its own myths, which played a significant part in the society’s religious life. Most myths are alienated into two groups’ creation myths and explanatory myths. In this paper I will incorporate and conclude the three theories of mythology as well as the comparison of the questions about myths, but each contributes to an understanding of the subject. Today, people have methodical answers theories for many such questions about the world around them, also the usual events...
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...be given. Brief Overview and Main Points The theme of the article is the question concerning the age of planet Earth. Mortenson’s main point centers on the debate (which has been going on since the early 19th century) between Christian scientists and new theorists concerning how Earth came into being. In short, Christian scientists believe Earth was a process of divine creation; non-scientists believe Earth came about through a process of evolution (Mortenson, 2003). Article Strengths Mortenson did an excellent job when describing the differences between the beliefs of the scriptural geologists (Christian scientists) and the new theorists. For the most noted ones, he gave a brief description of their background. This allowed the reader to understand a little about the person and the kind of research the person had been doing. When discussing the views of the scriptural geologists, Mortenson talked about how their views stemmed from what the Bible says about the creation of Earth. As far as the new theorists were concerned, he discussed in great detail each of their theories concerning Earth’s creation. The gist of most of their theories focused on evolution and the laws of nature. God’s divine intervention was nowhere in the picture. Overall, Mortenson’s writing was concise and to the point. This made his article easy to comprehend. He gave just the right amount of detail which allowed the reader to have a clear...
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...Cosmic Creation Myths across Cultures Leroy Williams HUM/105 World Mythology August 19, 2015 Dr. Cheryl Lampshire Cosmic Creation Myths across Cultures Does anyone really know how the world was created? The creation of the world is a big mystery that may never be resolved. Many people mainly, religious believe that God created the world; and there are others that believe other creators were involved in the process of creating the world. I believe that creation is the most important subject in the myth culture. There are several meanings for creation but according to the dictionary "Creation" (n.d.), “creation is the act of producing or causing to exist; it is also the act of creating and engendering”. Creation myths describe the beginning of the world’s cosmic order. For many years there have been studies done, where scientist have been trying to decipher how the world was created and as of today there is no evidence that will help with its finding. With this paper I will discuss two myths the Aboriginal Myth and the Zulu Creation Myth. Which world or worlds, such as the earth, sky, and the underworld they represent, what the elements of these worlds are? Provide a description of the creators, where they female or male, and would gender actually make a difference? Additionally it will explain what they created, and will include the steps or cycles of creation. Will provide descriptions of any destruction or destroyers if necessary. The role of cosmic...
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...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Kelly Holliday University of Phoenix HUM/105 Cecelia Weber November 5, 2013 Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures The Inca and Navajo myths represent a world on earth. On earth the elements of sun, moon, water, fire, trees, and animals are all represented within the Inca and Navajo worlds. The creator for the Navajo world is the sun as were the Incan world creator is a derivative of the sun. Each creator provides a world for its people. This is the main concept for each creator, but this process is done in very different ways. The creators are perceived to be male in both worlds. It does not appear women play an important role unless given leadership from the creator. The Incan creator, named Pachacamac, created humans as to where the Navajo creation myth already had the first beings in the world. The Navajo world consisted of the first beings, which they named the first men, first women, salt women, fire god, coyote, and Begochiddy. Navajo’s Begochiddy, who is also the Child of the Sun, is the creator of all elements and other worlds for the first beings. Pachacamac, the creator for the Incas, was lonely at night so he created stars, planets, and the moon. Pachacamac created such a beautiful moon, he then falls in love and marries his moon. The significance of gender is the ability to the produce life to other beings and elements. He goes on to create mankind out of stone. The mankind he creates is pitiful and unable to care for...
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...The Forbidden Room In a human’s life span, they have always wondered on the belief of faith. In our lives, there was always a wonder if there was or there is someone who has major power. Such as in an older time, people have thought there was a man who showed a path to opportunity. Religious humans believe that the matter of a book and good actions can reflect what should be great in this world. In “Room 8”, James Griffiths tells a story of two English men in a prison cell discussing the importance of a mysterious red box. Through symbolism and imagery, Griffiths presents a story about the opportunity humans can receive by faith. Relating to faith, key symbols have shown the idea of opportunity. While the prisoner entered the cell, he first views a book on the top bunk of the bed. The title of the book is Death on the Hills by Apollon Nikolayevich Maykov who was a Russian poet best known for his lyric verse, showcasing images of unspeakable Russian history. The title itself could have been a big clue of what his life ahead of him would be. Even though he did not focus on the book, other clues led to the prisoner’s faith. In the film, the main symbol was the red box, which showed a path to opportunity. When the prisoner had opened the box, he was astonished of what the box was capable of. He had viewed the box as a path way to freedom. Since he did not think it through, he did not pick the right path and he suffered the consequences. Fascinated towards the...
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...point of views about the Earth's geology. Dr. Mortenson touched basis on how the geology was debated by different groups, Christian and non Christian scientists and what their beliefs are concerning how the universe was created. Summary This article basically informs the readers of the contents of the old earth geology theory. The debate that Dr. Mortenson discusses in this article has been around for some time, but many people do not know that it exist. The repercussions of this article is shown throughout this whole debate, basically because the theories does not consider God as the creator of the universe. From the "new Theories about the History of Creation", during the 18th century, the French scientists concluded that the earth evolution was the result of a collision between the sun and a comet. During the 19 century, the Scriptural Geologist believed in the biblical account of the "six day creation". These four Scottish men were of strong Christian faith and Journal Article Review 3 respected character. Because Christianity played a strong role in how and why people believed. This is probably why the old earth theory was in such a great debate. Strengths of the Article Dr. Terry Mortenson explained each of the theories to give a basic understanding of each and how it was created. When describing each one, he gave important...
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...Cosmic Creation Myths Vanessa Pomi HUM 105 December 1, 2014 Christa Menninger Cosmic Creation Myths There are several creation myths across different cultures. Every different culture has its own unique creation myth that explains how the world and life came to be (Leonard & McClure, 2004). Although each culture has a different way of explaining the creation story, there are similarities and differences among them. Two of the myths that are more divergent in content are the Eddas creation myth from Norse culture and the Genesis creation myth from Hebrew culture. Although both creation stories have more than one realm, they differ in how they break each area down. Both creation myths also have a god or gods as the beginning creators. All cultures have their own creation myths and it is interesting to see the similarities and differences between them. There are many worlds or realms to take into consideration when discussing the Norse creation myth. In the beginning there was a realm called Muspell which was made of fire, and a realm called Niflheim which was made of ice (Leonard & McClure, 2004). Between both of these realms was a sea of emptiness called Ginnungagap (Leonard & McClure, 2004). All three of the realms were not considered to be part of the heavens or the earth but rather before earth. These realms were the beginning or pre-worlds of the Norse creation myths. According to Norse mythology there were two main creators, Ymir and Audumla (Leonard...
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...Compare and contrast the Biblical creation myths with other creation myths from Greece and the Ancient Near East. This essay will compare and contrast the Biblical creation myths with other creation myths from Greece and the Ancient Near East. It will first discuss the initial creation of the universe followed by the creation of mankind and finally the recreation of man whilst drawing parallels to Sumerian and Babylonian texts, The Old Testament and Hesiods Theogony. In paying particular attention to the chronology of each myth it will be shown that the creation myths regarding the universe and mankind evolved from as far back as the Sumerian stories. From the fragmented Sumerian tablets discovered throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries , (that date back as far as the third millenium B.C.) Sumerologists, such as Samuel Noah Kramer, have deciphered the oldest cosmogonic concepts ever found . Kramer explains that because the Sumerians lacked "scientific methods of definition and generalization " to make sense of the origins and the working of the universe they attempted to provide explanation through the use of poetry, epic tales and hymns . The only scientific information they had access to was what could be seen around them, that being Earth, Air, Heaven and Water , and according to the Ancient Sumerians it was through these essential elements that the universe came to be and it begins with Nammu, the primeval sea. From the primeval sea was born...
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