Distinguish between key concepts and subordinate ideas. Concisely summarize these
The key concept of ‘Creation and Wisdom’ by Phillip McMillion is that creation plays a vital part for a minimum of three ways in the acumen of the Old Testament: Wisdom and ethics, wisdom and idolatry, wisdom and praise. The relations between creation and wisdom are considered to be a component of a colossal controversy about the dogma of the Old Testament as a whole.
Various educators are willing to imply that wisdom does not appear to be religious; moreover, according to this theory, wisdom occurs as one of the materialistic elements of the Bible. Wisdom monitors the common world with the goal of demonstrating the wise ways people can act in various situations.
“God has created the world with certain basic principles built into the fabric of the universe. God has also created human beings to be a part of that universe” (McMillion 71). The article suggests the answer to a question about living and behaving in accordance with the natural arrangement created by God in the aspect of ethics rather than science.
Describe the primary purpose of this reading. Give supporting details; cite material from the text, and give page numbers in parentheses
The purpose of the reading is to impact the way people are behaving towards God and other people. Moreover, the article aims to help people to perceive the wisdom of God and, as a result, shift their ethical and moral insight into the behavior.
“Wisdom literature is about developing the right thinking, right acting, and passing on the traditions that are important to the community of faith. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament reflects an intentional effort to promote the values central to the community of Israel and to see that they continue to be at the core of the beliefs and actions of the people of Israel” (McMillion 71).
Note key facts, claims, or details from the text, which clearly identify the author’s attitude toward his topic
The author claims that “God’s wisdom in creation shows that God is the one true God to be worshiped above any other. No other part of God’s creation or work of human hands can rival the Lord. Wisdom calls on all to worship the Lord. Finally, God’s wisdom, as seen in creation, calls on all creatures to praise the Lord. God deserves honor and worship because of all he has done in creation through his wisdom.
The wonderful wisdom of the Lord seen in creation should influence our ethics, our worship, and our praise for the Lord” (McMillion 75). Moreover, the perceptions of the wise choices are not necessarily established a particular Israelite framework. As a result, these wide choices are found for every creation of God, not only the Israelite nation.
Nowadays, there are several righteous acts that constitute the major part of existence: compassion, justice, and candidness. Wise actions integrated with an individual decision to behave wisely guide towards ethical behavior.
Another important issue related to wisdom and creation is the preeminence of God above other idols. The eagerness to explore the world for the purpose of existence is a valid desire; however, the main question is where to discover that purpose. God, the creator of the universe, is the genuine origin of an essence, and one can find true gratification only after turning to the wise investor and creator of the world.
And the last but not the least issue is the praise of God. The author claims that the act of creation should be cherished and conserved in order to praise the creator of everything.
Does the author clearly convey his purpose in writing?
Throughout the article, the author clearly expresses his purpose of providing insight into the influence of wisdom on the ethical behavior of people. Moreover, the author helps to understand the general concept of wisdom within human existence.
What argument does the author give to back up his main points?
The author appeals for the assistance of various sources in order to back up his arguments. Furthermore, while talking about wisdom, ethics, idolatry, and praise, the author uses citations from these resources as assertions. For example, the author uses the book ‘Character in Crisis’ by William Brown in order to prove one of the primary targets of wisdom literature – the advancement of the individuality.
Moreover, an abstract from Jeremiah 10 confirms that all idols around Israel are weak and powerless; he claims that they are not real icons, thus confirming his theory about wisdom and idolatry. The author finds the arguments in support of the wisdom and praise in the Psalms of creation: the creation of the world by God is the only objective for praise and adoration.
Are these arguments cogent?
As the author supports his arguments with the help of the other literature, I find these assertions more than compelling, as they are logically linked with the explanation provided throughout the article.
Works Cited
McMillion, Philip. “Creation and Wisdom: Three Themes.” Leaven 16.2 (2008): 71-75. Print.