REL Bible

For this assignment, you just need to read the first 3 chapters of the Book of Genesis (the first book of Torah and the Christian Bible) and respond to these 2 questions. The following link takes you to the 1st of the 3 chapters: http://usccb.org/bible/genesis/1 

You can read the 2nd and 3rd chapters by simply pressing "next chapter" near the top right of that page.

Questions:

1. Throughout history, both Jews and Christians have noticed some details about chapters 1 and 2 that seem to contradict each other. Find as many of these discrepancies as you can and simply list them.

2. We'll discuss in class how Jews and Christians have handled the discrepancies you found for #1. For now, try to put yourself in the shoes of a Jew or Christian and write a paragraph that explains why these discrepancies do not necessarily mean the book of Genesis is totally flawed/false. (In other words, what could a Christian or Jew possibly say in defense of this story if asked about the seeming contradictions between the 2 creation stories?)