The Poetry of Genesis and the Genesis of Poetry

Abstract

The genre of the first creation account (Genesis 1.1-2.3) is difficult to classify. It is narrative-like, but is missing entirely the central feature of all narrative, namely, some sort of “breach of expectation” (Herman), a tension in the storyline that requires resolution. It is poetic-like, but missing entirely the central feature – though there is less agreement on what such is – of poetry, in my view, some sort of clear “segmentation” of lines of rhythm/meter/ideas/etc. It is furthermore like a cosmogony of the ancient world era, that is, an account of the making of the world, but again it is also quite distinct from all other such cosmogonies. It is as scholars say sui generis – “of its own kind”.

So in order to unpack this haunting and foundational text, in this lecture I will offer both a creative retelling of the first Creation story, and an indepth reading and analysis of its narrative and especially its poetic features. This close reading will then provide a rich set of pointers towards our interpretation of the theology that this scripture evokes.

Bio

Matthew is an Anglican priest and a Biblical Hebrew Scholar. His PhD was in Hebrew linguistics and won a prestigious Australian Research Council Fellowship to write in this area at St Marks National Theological Centre in Canberra.  He continues as an honorary research fellow, lecturer and doctoral supervisor at a number of Australian universities. Matthew’s scholarly interest is now focussed on his preparation of a new liturgical translation of the Psalms for public worship. He is parish priest of St Theodore’s Anglican Parish, Toorak Gardens in Adelaide and has been a member of the Anglican General Synod since 2017 as an advocate for an inclusive and affirming Church.

https://www.matthewanstey.com