How does the Yahwist or Priestly theory compare to the theory of creation?

Answer 1

There are two biblical creation stories (Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Genesis 2:4b-2:20) that are quite distinct and even contradictory, and each should be read on its own terms, rather than assuming a single creation account. The idea that there is only one biblical creation theory arises because pious readers, believing that the text cannot contain contradictions, ignore the major disjunctions between the two creation stories and tend to treat the second story as the fuller, more detailed account of the creation of man that the first story simply reported.

The Priestly source is credited with writing the first biblical creation account, and the Yahwist is credited with writing the second biblical creation account. Thus the Priestly source and the Yahwist were responsible for the biblical concept of creation, although of course each of them was passing on older traditions which they had learnt.

Essentially the modern documentary hypothesis is not so much to be compared to the biblical concept of creation, but an explanation for its origin.

For more information, please visit:

http://christianity.answers.com/theology/the-story-of-creation

http://christianity.answers.com/bible/the-pentateuch-explained

Answer 2

According to tradition, that theory is not connected to the Creation-narrative of Genesis. It was modern authors such as Wellhausen (the father of modern Biblical-criticism, 1844-1918) who suggested artificially chopping up the narrative and attributing it to various authors, despite the Torah's explicit statement as to its provenance (Exodus 24:12, Deuteronomy 31:24). This need not concern believers, since his claims have been debunked one by one, as Archaeology and other disciplines have demonstrated the integrity of the Torah. No fragments have ever been found that would support his Documentary Hypothesis, which remains nothing more than an arbitrary claim, whose falsehood has been pointed out:http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=6&article=1131(a Christian author)

http://www.whoreallywrotethebible.com/excerpts/chapter4-1.php

http://www.pearlmancta.com/BiblicalcriticswrongRShlomoCohen.htm

And see also the wider picture:

http://judaism.answers.com/hebrew/does-archaeology-support-the-hebrew-bible

Answer 3

The Yahwist theory suggests that God is depicted as actively engaged in the creation process, creating humans last. The Priestly theory emphasizes a more systematic and structured framework for creation, with humans being created early on. Both theories aim to explain the origin of the world and humanity from a religious perspective, but they differ in the order and emphasis of events within the creation narrative.