Theology

TH 105 Unit #1

Michael S.

TH 105 Unit #1

JUN – SEP 2008

Lesson 1.1, Q2.

Q: What are some of the important theological themes of the Torah? Why do you consider them important?

A: The common themes of the Torah, or the Five Books of Moses, are considered to be diverse. There is no real single theme found in the Five Books because so many different people wrote them over such a long period of time with different opinions.

For instance, there are two separate accounts of creation. One is written by the “J” author, another by the “P” author (Mueller, et al, p. 40). Both discuss the creation of earth but one focuses on God creating humankind with help in the creative process. The other version, the “P” version, tells how Yahweh alone created man with no help in the process.

Another theme common of the Torah is simply God, or Yahweh. What is interesting though is even in this diversity, there is a commonality.

Both God and Yahweh expect that people will be fair, be right in self, and love and worship the only one God.

In all writings of the Torah God is God. Whether the creator is referred to as Yahweh or in the simpler term of God it is important because it “. . . provided the foundation for two world religions, Judaism and Christianity” (Funk, et al, 2006). This one fundamental theme, to me is the most important.

These themes show that while even though there was, and to some degree still is, differences in theological themes as a whole, there are also commonality. To think, we can essentially agree to disagree but in the end simply and wonderfully agree.

Lesson 1.1, Q3.

Q: If prophecy is primarily proclamation and not prediction, how can people be “prophetic” in today’s world?

A: People in today's world can be as prophetic as those described in the second division of the Tanak. We have seen many a television evangelist make a reference to the world’s problems and “our” demise.

The Rev....