Cosmology is a type of worldview. It is a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe (the cosmos).
We think of the earth as a round planet that is part of a solar system in a larger galaxy. People in Bible times thought the earth was flat. That's two different worldviews.
The picture below is a representation of the cosmology of the people of the Bible during Old Testament times.
The universe is three-tiered:
The world is flat. A canopy holds up with pillars covers the earth. Chaotic waters surround the earth.
The sun travels across the canopy to the underworld then returns to its rising point.
Click here to see a similar image that has labels describing each part of the cosmology you see on the picture on this page.
1. Read Psalm 19:4-6.
How does this ancient worldview influence the writer?
Worldviews and the belief of people surrounding them influenced the record of God's people in the Bible. Read some of the following stories.
Representation of the ancient god Baal
2. What other stories show the influences and worldviews of Old Testament authors?
3. What other customs and beliefs influenced the writer?
4. Are there similarities in things that
affected the world of the Old Testament that continue to
affect our lives at the present time?
Learn about New Testament World Views. People in Jesus' day experienced their world different from those who
lived in Old Testament times.
Explore these outside links for more information on worldviews that affected people of the Old Testament. Make sure you click the BACK button to return to our site.
Next Page: The World of the New Testament
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Disclaimer: Some links jump to outside sites for further information on the Bible, interpretations, the canon, translations, manuscripts, resources, and other perspectives. Links do not constitute an endorsement by the Women's Division of the information on other web sites. External web sites offer us diverse perspectives; afford us an opportunity to compare them to United Methodist positions; and, encourage us to critically analyze the issues raised by The Bible: the Book that Bridges the Millennia web pages.