the story-line of christian precreation rhetorolect lesson 1: hebrew bible as a resource for...

The Story-Line of The Story-Line of Christian Precreation RhetorolectChristian Precreation Rhetorolect

LESSON 1: HEBREW BIBLE AS A RESOURCE LESSON 1: HEBREW BIBLE AS A RESOURCE FOR “NON-TIME” BEFORE FOR “NON-TIME” BEFORE

GOD’S CREATION OF THE WORLDGOD’S CREATION OF THE WORLD

Precreation discourse concerns “non-time,” the Precreation discourse concerns “non-time,” the eternity before “time” came into existence.eternity before “time” came into existence.

““Time” came into being when God created the world Time” came into being when God created the world through “beginnings.” through “beginnings.”

In the language of precreation discourse, no one In the language of precreation discourse, no one except God is able to see “non-time.” In other words, except God is able to see “non-time.” In other words, everything is “invisible” in “non-time.” everything is “invisible” in “non-time.”

Click to continue explanation of precreation Click to continue explanation of precreation discourse. discourse.

Precreation Discourse cont. (1)Precreation Discourse cont. (1)

Precreation discourse creates “images” of non-time Precreation discourse creates “images” of non-time in the mind, with the result that it makes “invisible” things in the mind, with the result that it makes “invisible” things visible in the minds of humans. visible in the minds of humans.

An important part of this “imaging” is the creation of An important part of this “imaging” is the creation of “sequences of events” that create “time.”“sequences of events” that create “time.”

In precreation discourse, God brings “visible things” In precreation discourse, God brings “visible things” out of “the invisible” through processes that are the out of “the invisible” through processes that are the “beginnings” of “time.” “beginnings” of “time.”

Click to read questions with which precreation Click to read questions with which precreation discourse begins.discourse begins.


Wisdom discourse, which is the topic of a different Wisdom discourse, which is the topic of a different set of lessons, is based on “visible things,” things that set of lessons, is based on “visible things,” things that people can see with their eyes in the world.people can see with their eyes in the world.

Precreation discourse, in contrast, “thinks” its way Precreation discourse, in contrast, “thinks” its way into “invisible things,” things that no person can see into “invisible things,” things that no person can see except by “seeing them in the mind.”except by “seeing them in the mind.”



As a result of its focus on invisible things, As a result of its focus on invisible things, precreation discourse begins with “questions” rather than precreation discourse begins with “questions” rather than answers. answers.

Precreation discourse begins with questions about Precreation discourse begins with questions about the nature of “wisdom”: the nature of “wisdom”:

What is “knowing” (“wisdom”) that it can “see” things What is “knowing” (“wisdom”) that it can “see” things that cannot be seen with the eyes? that cannot be seen with the eyes?

Where did this “knowing” come from?Where did this “knowing” come from?

As precreation discourse continues, it gives As precreation discourse continues, it gives “answers” to the questions it raises about wisdom.“answers” to the questions it raises about wisdom.



Here are some of the questions with which precreation Here are some of the questions with which precreation discourse begins:discourse begins:

(1) What is wisdom?(1) What is wisdom?

(2) Where did wisdom come from?(2) Where did wisdom come from?

(3) How can we know what “truly” is wisdom?(3) How can we know what “truly” is wisdom?

(4) Since God is the most early “being,” did wisdom (4) Since God is the most early “being,” did wisdom come from God? If so, how?come from God? If so, how?

(5) What can we “see through wisdom” about the (5) What can we “see through wisdom” about the innermost nature of God, which is “hidden” (“invisible”) innermost nature of God, which is “hidden” (“invisible”) from our eyes?from our eyes?

Click to read further explanation of precreation Click to read further explanation of precreation discourse.discourse.


The major emotion associated with precreation The major emotion associated with precreation discourse is “joy.” discourse is “joy.”

This emotion brings forth language about This emotion brings forth language about “happiness,” “exulting,” “singing,” “shouting for joy,” “happiness,” “exulting,” “singing,” “shouting for joy,” “rejoicing,” “delighting in” and “being delighted.”“rejoicing,” “delighting in” and “being delighted.”

In precreation discourse, God’s goal for humans is In precreation discourse, God’s goal for humans is happiness and joy, and the knowledge humans attain happiness and joy, and the knowledge humans attain about God causes them to be delighted with God.about God causes them to be delighted with God.

Click to read about Christian precreation rhetorolect.Click to read about Christian precreation rhetorolect.

Christian Precreation RhetorolectChristian Precreation Rhetorolect

Christian precreation rhetorolect “envisions” Christ as Christian precreation rhetorolect “envisions” Christ as present with God in an “invisible” form before God created the present with God in an “invisible” form before God created the world.world.

Christian precreation rhetorolect uses the following Christian precreation rhetorolect uses the following terms to speak about Christ in his invisible form :terms to speak about Christ in his invisible form :

(1) He is wisdom (can be “thought”);(1) He is wisdom (can be “thought”);

(2) He is image or reflection (can be “seen” in “thought”);(2) He is image or reflection (can be “seen” in “thought”);

(3) He is glory (can be “seen” as bright light);(3) He is glory (can be “seen” as bright light);

(4) He is light (“lights up” our minds);(4) He is light (“lights up” our minds);

(5) He is spirit, wind, breath (can be “felt” as “movement” or (5) He is spirit, wind, breath (can be “felt” as “movement” or can be “heard” as wind or breath);can be “heard” as wind or breath);

(6) He is word (can be “heard” with our ears).(6) He is word (can be “heard” with our ears).

Click to read about this particular lesson.Click to read about this particular lesson.

Precreation Discourse:Precreation Discourse:Content of Lesson 1Content of Lesson 1

This lesson focuses entirely on precreation This lesson focuses entirely on precreation discourse in the Hebrew Bible, which functions as a discourse in the Hebrew Bible, which functions as a resource for Christian precreation rhetorolect.resource for Christian precreation rhetorolect.

Lesson 2 will focus on precreation discourse in Lesson 2 will focus on precreation discourse in Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon (writings in the Old Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon (writings in the Old Testament Apocrypha).Testament Apocrypha).

Lesson 3 will focus of God’s creation of visible Lesson 3 will focus of God’s creation of visible things out of invisible things in 2 Enoch (a writing in the things out of invisible things in 2 Enoch (a writing in the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha).Old Testament Pseudepigrapha).

Lessons 4 and following will focus on Christian Lessons 4 and following will focus on Christian precreation rhetorolect.precreation rhetorolect. Click to read about precreation discourse in the Click to read about precreation discourse in the Hebrew Bible.Hebrew Bible.

Hebrew Bible ResourceHebrew Bible Resource

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Job presents In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Job presents questions by Job, and questions by God to Job, that questions by Job, and questions by God to Job, that inquire deeply into the nature and source of wisdom. inquire deeply into the nature and source of wisdom.

The questions by Job and by God move the The questions by Job and by God move the discussion into precreation discourse.discussion into precreation discourse.

Click to read questions by Job in Job 27 that move Click to read questions by Job in Job 27 that move the discussion into precreation discourse.the discussion into precreation discourse.

Hebrew Bible Resource: Hebrew Bible Resource: JOB ASKS ABOUT THE NATURE OF WISDOMJOB ASKS ABOUT THE NATURE OF WISDOM

Job 27:1 Job again took up his parable, and said, … Job 27:1 Job again took up his parable, and said, …

28:20 “Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the 28:20 “Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?place of understanding?

28:21 Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept 28:21 Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.close from the birds of the sky.

28:22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of 28:22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’it with our ears.’

Click to continue with Job’s statement.Click to continue with Job’s statement.

Hebrew Bible Resource: Hebrew Bible Resource: JOB ASKS ABOUT JOB ASKS ABOUT

THE NATURE OF WISDOM cont.THE NATURE OF WISDOM cont.

Job 27:23 God understands the way to it, and he knows its Job 27:23 God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. place. 27:24 For27:24 For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.the whole sky.27:25 He establishes the force of the wind. Yes, he 27:25 He establishes the force of the wind. Yes, he measures out the waters by measure.measures out the waters by measure.27:26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for 27:26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder;the lightning of the thunder;27:27 then he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, 27:27 then he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, and searched it out.” …and searched it out.” …

Click to read questions by God to Job in Job 38.Click to read questions by God to Job in Job 38.

Hebrew Bible Resource: Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD ASKS JOB ABOUT THE NATURE OF GOD ASKS JOB ABOUT THE NATURE OF

WISDOMWISDOM

Job 38:1 Then Adonai answered Job out of the whirlwind, Job 38:1 Then Adonai answered Job out of the whirlwind,

38:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without 38:2 “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?knowledge?

38:3 Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then 38:3 Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!you answer me!

38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.earth? Declare, if you have understanding.

38:5 Who determined its measures, if you know?38:5 Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who Or who stretched the line on it?stretched the line on it?

Click to continue with God’s questions to Job.Click to continue with God’s questions to Job.


WISDOM cont. (1)WISDOM cont. (1)

Job 38:6 Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid Job 38:6 Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,its cornerstone,

38:7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of 38:7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?God shouted for joy?

38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from the womb,the womb,

38:9 when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick 38:9 when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,darkness,

38:10 marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors,38:10 marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors,

38:11 and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further. Here your 38:11 and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?’ …proud waves shall be stayed?’ …




Job 38:17Job 38:17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

38:18 Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? 38:18 Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if you know it all.Declare, if you know it all.

38:19 What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for 38:19 What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place,darkness, where is its place,

38:20 that you should take it to its bound, that you should 38:20 that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?discern the paths to its house?

38:21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the 38:21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! …number of your days is great! …




Job 38:24 Job 38:24 By what way is the lightning distributed, or the By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth? …east wind scattered on the earth? …

38:3338:33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth? …establish its dominion over the earth? …

38:36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has 38:36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?given understanding to the mind?

38:37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can 38:37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky? …pour out the bottles of the sky? …

39:26 Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and 39:26 Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? stretches her wings toward the south? 27: 27: Is it at your Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high?”high?”

Click to read about the answer to these questions in Proverbs.Click to read about the answer to these questions in Proverbs.

Hebrew Bible ResourceHebrew Bible Resource

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs presents In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs presents an answer to the questions that arose in biblical tradition an answer to the questions that arose in biblical tradition about the nature of wisdom. about the nature of wisdom.

The answer comes in the form of a “story” about The answer comes in the form of a “story” about God’s creation of Wisdom and how she served as a helper God’s creation of Wisdom and how she served as a helper to God when God created the world.to God when God created the world.

Click to read the story of Wisdom in Proverbs.Click to read the story of Wisdom in Proverbs.

Hebrew Bible Resource: Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD CREATED WISDOM BEFORE THE GOD CREATED WISDOM BEFORE THE

BEGINNING OF THE EARTHBEGINNING OF THE EARTH

Proverbs 3:19 By wisdom Adonai founded the earth. By Proverbs 3:19 By wisdom Adonai founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.understanding, he established the heavens.

3:20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the 3:20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.skies drop down the dew.

Proverbs 8:1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t Proverbs 8:1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice? …understanding raise her voice? …

8:22 “Adonai possessed me [wisdom] in the beginning of his 8:22 “Adonai possessed me [wisdom] in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.work, before his deeds of old.

8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.before the earth existed.

Click to continue the story of Wisdom in Proverbs 8.Click to continue the story of Wisdom in Proverbs 8.


BEGINNING OF THE EARTH cont. (1)BEGINNING OF THE EARTH cont. (1)

Proverbs 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought Proverbs 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the 8:25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth;hills, I was brought forth;

8:26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, 8:26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when 8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,he set a circle on the surface of the deep,




Proverbs 8:28 when he established the clouds above, when Proverbs 8:28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,the springs of the deep became strong,

8:29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters 8:29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;the foundations of the earth;

8:30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight 8:30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,day by day, always rejoicing before him,

8:31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the 8:31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.sons of men.




Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for Proverbs 8:32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my 8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.gates, waiting at my door posts.

8:35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor 8:35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Adonai.from Adonai.

8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All 8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”those who hate me love death.”

Click for a summary.Click for a summary.

Good Work!Good Work!

In this lesson you have learned that:In this lesson you have learned that:Precreation discourse talks about “non-time,” Precreation discourse talks about “non-time,”

when all things were invisible, by creating images of the when all things were invisible, by creating images of the invisible in the “eye of the mind.” invisible in the “eye of the mind.”

Precreation discourse begins with questions Precreation discourse begins with questions about the nature of “wisdom,” which is the agency that about the nature of “wisdom,” which is the agency that creates images of the invisible in the mind.creates images of the invisible in the mind.

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Job presents In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Job presents questions by Job, and questions by God to Job, that questions by Job, and questions by God to Job, that inquire deeply into the nature and source of wisdom. inquire deeply into the nature and source of wisdom.

The questions by Job and by God move the The questions by Job and by God move the discussion into precreation discourse. discussion into precreation discourse. Click to continue the summary.Click to continue the summary.

Summary cont.Summary cont.

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs presents an answer to the questions that arose in presents an answer to the questions that arose in biblical tradition about the nature of wisdom. biblical tradition about the nature of wisdom.

The answer comes in the form of a “story” The answer comes in the form of a “story” about God’s creation of Wisdom and how she served about God’s creation of Wisdom and how she served as a helper to God when God created the world.as a helper to God when God created the world.

In precreation discourse, God’s goal for In precreation discourse, God’s goal for humans is happiness and joy, and the knowledge humans is happiness and joy, and the knowledge humans attain about God causes them to be delighted humans attain about God causes them to be delighted with God. with God. Click to continue.Click to continue.

Excellent!Excellent!

We will see in future lessons that Christian We will see in future lessons that Christian precreation rhetorolect “envisions” Christ as present with precreation rhetorolect “envisions” Christ as present with God in an “invisible” form before God created the world.God in an “invisible” form before God created the world.

Christian precreation rhetorolect refers to “invisible” Christian precreation rhetorolect refers to “invisible” Christ in the following terms:Christ in the following terms: (1) He is wisdom (can be “thought”);(1) He is wisdom (can be “thought”); (2) He is image or reflection (can be “seen” in “thought”);(2) He is image or reflection (can be “seen” in “thought”); (3) He is glory (can be “seen” as bright light);(3) He is glory (can be “seen” as bright light); (4) He is light (“lights up” our minds);(4) He is light (“lights up” our minds); (5) He is spirit, wind, breath (can be “felt” as “movement” (5) He is spirit, wind, breath (can be “felt” as “movement” or can be “heard” as wind or breath);or can be “heard” as wind or breath); (6) He is word (can be “heard” with our ears). (6) He is word (can be “heard” with our ears). Click to continue.Click to continue.

Congratulations!!!!Congratulations!!!!

THIS WAS THE FIRST LESSON on the Christian THIS WAS THE FIRST LESSON on the Christian Precreation Story-Line. Precreation Story-Line.

You are now ready for Lesson 2 You are now ready for Lesson 2

on Wisdom in Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon on Wisdom in Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon

in the Old Testament Apocrypha.in the Old Testament Apocrypha.

Wonderful job!Wonderful job!

the story-line of christian precreation rhetorolect lesson 1: hebrew bible as a resource for...

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