It seems like other cultures have very similar stories as the Christian Bible, namely about Genesis.

Like the Babylonians.

Why is this?

It seems like other cultures have very similar stories as the Christian Bible, namely about Genesis.

Like the Babylonians.

Why is this?
Because we are all descendants of Noah . Noah told his three sons the creation story and they in turn told their descendants. Because no one was inspired by God to write it down until Moses many of stories appear to predate the bible. This would also explain the flood "myth" being so common as well. I explained this in another thread just like this one.

I am not sure that the title to this thread is appropriate. The Genesis account of creation isn't a myth. Maybe you should have titled it "Christianity and mythology "

Because we are all descendants of Noah . Noah told his three sons the creation story and they in turn told their descendants. Because no one was inspired by God to write it down until Moses many of stories appear to predate the bible. This would also explain the flood "myth" being so common as well. I explained this in another thread just like this one.

Do you know what other thread that was? Sorry, I am just rereading Genesis in my new study bible and it mentions cultures stories. So I had to google about it.

In regards to what you wrote, how would people so spread apart know this story? Like China, who wouldn't of known anything about the Jews in 2,000 B.C. They had a garden like Eden in Central Asia.

(I'm only asking b/c it's questions that come up while I'm reading my bible and I look further into things)

I also read in my study Bible that since all these stories happened before Moses time, he would of used sources (like family histories of Abraham and his descendants as they existed in the Israelite community in Egypt) besides direct communication from God....Which therefore brings me back to what I'm wondering about. How his stories are very similar to other cultures.

Do you know what other thread that was? Sorry, I am just rereading Genesis in my new study bible and it mentions cultures stories. So I had to google about it.

No problem at all


In regards to what you wrote, how would people so spread apart know this story? Like China, who wouldn't of known anything about the Jews in 2,000 B.C. They had a garden like Eden in Central Asia.

(I'm only asking b/c it's questions that come up while I'm reading my bible and I look further into things)Keep in mind that all of these nations are descended from Noah's sons' Shem Ham and Japeth. They would have carried the stories to their various regions as they were dispersed at the fall of Babel.


I also read in my study Bible that since all these stories happened before Moses time, he would of used sources (like family histories of Abraham and his descendants as they existed in the Israelite community in Egypt) besides direct communication from God....Which therefore brings me back to what I'm wondering about. How his stories are very similar to other cultures.I think I have explained how the other cultures got many of their stories.
The choice you now have to make isn't between what I have to say and what those others have to say. It's about choosing to believe what the Bible says. Don't let your intellect get too far ahead of your spirit. This can cause confusion. Just read the Bible and pray for a few months. Turn the TV and stereo off. Ask God to reveal himself as you read and he will. He is the real source of knowledge. Don't keep looking to us guys who pretend to have all the answers. Look to Jesus.

Keep in mind that all of these nations are descended from Noah's sons' Shem Ham and Japeth. They would have carried the stories to their various regions as they were dispersed at the fall of Babel.


Ok, that makes sense.

I also found the other thread. I figured I should search for "Genesis" in this forum...Should of done that earlier! This is the 2nd thread today I've made that is very similar to what someone else posted :rolleyes:

Thank you!

It is a well documented fact that Hebrew cosmogeny, cosmology, and eschatology was gotten from the Babylonians. Let me know you need some links.

It is a well documented fact that Hebrew cosmogeny, cosmology, and eschatology was gotten from the Babylonians. Let me know you need some links.


It is well known by everyone who believes that the bible is the inspired word of God that such a claim is in error. I suggest you read the bible and ask God to reveal it to you and not heed the advice of every man who pretends to have all the answers. Such a mistake would be unfruitful for you.

We fully believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and it says nothing about anything being derived from the Babylonians. The Genesis account and others, as written, are considered the foundation of our faith and are considered the word of God on the matter. There's no need to offer links to the contrary.

It is well known by everyone who believes that the bible is the inspired word of God that such a claim is in error. I suggest you read the bible and ask God to reveal it to you and not heed the advice of every man who pretends to have all the answers. Such a mistake would be unfruitful for you.Is it? Who taught the Egyptians a lot of astronomy and math? Abraham from Ur in southern Babylon? A lot of people that claim to believe the bible is the inspired word of God have no clue on these matters. ;)

Is it? Who taught the Egyptians a lot of astronomy and math? Abraham from Ur in southern Babylon? A lot of people that claim to believe the bible is the inspired word of God have no clue on these matters. ;)


Are you saying that you don't believe the bible is inspired or are you saying you don't have a clue?;)

Again you show you can't have an intelligent conversation and can only insult when seriously challenged. (nice edit ;) )

Guys, lets please play nice here or not play at all, okie dokie? :) Refocusing this thread back to the original question or moving on so as not to derail it are both excellent options.

No problem coffecat.

Is it? Who taught the Egyptians a lot of astronomy and math? Abraham from Ur in southern Babylon? A lot of people that claim to believe the bible is the inspired word of God have no clue on these matters. ;)

I would like to read more about this...I don't really understand how this can fit in w/ Christianity? Like, how that doesn't contradict?

Abraham was a descendant of Noah as pointed out already. We shouldn't assume and make sweeping generalizations concerning all of Abraham's beliefs just because he was from Babylonia, should we? Of course not.

Men are taller. That doesn't mean all men are taller or there are no tall women. Generalizations by definition exclude some. To suggest that all historical truth had been lost, as some have implied, is far more precarious than the possibility that truth was preserved. Truth prevails.

It is a well documented fact that Hebrew cosmogeny, cosmology, and eschatology was gotten from the Babylonians. Let me know you need some links.


I don't understand this. You completely undermine any authority when you say this. How do you think a non-believer would feel when you say "Oh, and by the way, the bible did copy Babylonians"

It is well known by everyone who believes that the bible is the inspired word of God that such a claim is in error.

Sorry, but one need not deny the historical facts in order to belive the Bible to be inspired by God.

Sorry, but one need not deny the historical facts in order to belive the Bible to be inspired by God.

You can't see the contradiction in this position...interesting.
I find it hard to believe that someone who claims that the bible stole it's creation account from a mythical account can also claim that they believe the bible to be inspired by God. Are you saying that Moses was inspired to steal this account from some local legend? However, you are welcome to explain how you can believe both.


Wow, you're quite arrogant, aren't you? What makes you think that I don't read the Bible? And what makes you think that I heed the advice of every man who pretends to have all the answers? Yes, you are very arrogant.I suggest you read a post carefully before commenting on it. This statement was addressed to the OP.

It is a well documented fact that Hebrew cosmogeny, cosmology, and eschatology was gotten from the Babylonians. Let me know you need some links.

I'll challenge this (against my better judgment). Forgo links, lets discuss; you first.

I am not sure that the title to this thread is appropriate. The Genesis account of creation isn't a myth. Maybe you should have titled it "Christianity and mythology "

Actually, by the academic definition of mythology the title would be appropriate, because "mythology" does not imply untruth.

I'll challenge this (against my better judgment). Forgo links, lets discuss; you first.

I've asked this in another thread, but I'll clarify my point here.

There are elements of Genesis 1 that do not make much sense in light of what we know, but make perfect sense in light of Babylonian/Sumerian/Egyptian cosmologies. For instance:

1: "formless and void, darkness over the surface of the deep." Ancient Mesopotamian cosmologies describe a creation as coming from chaos. An endless sea of water was envisioned as this chaos; and for good reason, while land is solid, water is constantly churning and changing form. Darkness is also an element of chaos, with light being the created thing.

2. "The spirit of God hovered over the deep." This makes no sense to our view of God - why would He need to "hover", He is everywhere. It makes perfect sense in terms of Babylonian cosmology, where the god Marduk hovered over the waters in battle with Tiamat. Genesis would seem to be an answer to this; the audience would expect a battle, but instead God spoke and things happened. It demonstrates God's absolute supremacy over creation.

3. "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." Ancient cosmology held that the earth was a dome, and the dome above was solid. There was water above that dome that was released to cause the rains.

4. The creation of the sun/moon/stars on day 4 while light was created on day 1. Ancient cosmologies held that the heavenly bodies weren't producers of light, but elements of days or nights. The sun belonged to the light, and the moon/stars belonged to the darkness. This is why they tended to be so frightened by eclipses; those were viewed as a battle between supernatural beings.

There are more than this, but the point is - the Genesis account heavily implies support of ancient cosmologies that are scientifically wrong. Even if we can find alternate meanings for the account that fall in line with reality, then why would God write it in such a way where this confusion would take place? Why not be clearer?

The hebrews came out of the sumerian, bablyonian, urgartics and the Israelites come from the hebrews. I think there was always a group of people that kept the truth of the one true God. But each nation that came from Babel had at each turn corrupted that truth and that really is how they are have the same themes running through them. Urgartic and hebrew share much of the same meanings in their wordings such as El for God. It doesn't take away from the scriptures at all. God eventually called out a nation for himself and through them we have their history and God's Word.