| The aim of this thesis will be to explore the meaning of Genesis 1-3 in the light of creation myths from ancient Chinese texts. This thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter will introduce the intention of writing such a thesis, and then a discussion of the cross-textual method, as defined there, will be given. An outline of the dissertation and the relationship among the chapters will be presented at the end of the chapter.; In the second chapter a critical review of previous studies on Genesis 1-3 will be given according to four different methods: historical criticism, literary criticism, the comparative approach and feminist interpretation. After pointing out the limitations of each, the author will argue in favor of a cross-textual hermeneutics in studying Genesis 1-3.; In the third chapter the thesis will first outline the history of western scholarship on Chinese creation myths. Admittedly, this is a huge subject, so selected examples, hopefully representative, will be used. Then a review of the research done by Chinese scholars in the first half of the twentieth century will follow. In that period Chinese scholars had a strong interest in creation myths in order to look for the core of the Chinese spirit and culture, by returning to the fountainhead, hoping to encourage people with their reinterpretation of Chinese creation myths. I will argue that their effort is significant for my understanding of the meaning of creation myths.; The fourth chapter is the core of the whole dissertation. Cross-textual hermeneutics, as defined in chapter one, will be applied to the reading of the two kinds of creation traditions. Cosmologies, cosmogonies, the origin of human beings, and the relationship between God and human beings are four areas chosen for interpretation. In the author's opinion, the progress of crossing is more important than obtaining definitive conclusions. It exactly repensents the difference which I have discussed in chapter two between the cross-textual method and the comparative method.; The last chapter will present the contributions and limitations of this thesis. Summing up, this dissertation provides a new perspective for reading Genesis 1-3 side-by-side with creation myths of ancient Chinese texts. |
