Part I Part II

Beginnings: Cosmology of the Old Testament

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.

Ancient Worldview of Near Eastern Peoples

The drawing below is a representation of the cosmology of the people of the Bible during Old Testament times.

The universe is three-tiered:

• Heaven -- Here live the gods
• Earth -- The fragile abode of the human
• Underworld -- World of Death

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.

What does this have to do with the Bible?

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.

• Joshua 9 -- The story of worn-out woodcutters and water carriers
• Genesis 31 -- Rachel steals the gods and fools her father
• Judges 11:6-17 -- The Israelites worship the Baals and the Astartes, who were believed to be gods over the land and were especially important to farmers whose livelihood depended on their crops.

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?

Next: People in Jesus' day experienced their world different from those who lived in Old Testament times. Learn about New Testament World Views.