A review of Genesis, The Book of Origins by Father Albert Joseph Mary Shamon
ISBN # 1-8776778-49-X
published by The Riehle Foundation, 1997
83 pages
$5.95 from Resource Connections to History
Imagine having coffee with your favorite priest. You know, the one who is
faithful to the Church and approachable. The one you can ask any question
without feeling stupid for having to ask. The one who explains theology so
well you understand, really understand, our Holy Faith. Now image, that
priest, over two cups of coffee, explaining the book of Genesis to you. The
whole book! Since Father Albert Shamon could not visit each of us
personally, he wrote Genesis the Book of Origins.
In a mere eighty-three pages, Father Shamon explains Genesis as I have never
seen it explained before. Using the Catholic approach to the Bible, Father
Shamon explains the context of the book. Genesis is a theological, not
history, book.
The eight chapters address the creation of the world and man, the fall of
man, his continual descent into a world of sin and the patriarchs from
Abraham to Joseph. Two appendices address the Pentateuch and a Biblical
time line which covers the period of Genesis. Including the time line eight
illustrations clarify the text even further.
One idea I really appreciated was an explanation of the unusual longevity of
the patriarchs. I could never understand how the men lived to be several
hundred years. Father Shamon explains it quite simply. "The longevity of
the patriarchs is not to be taken literally. Length-of-years lived was an
ancient Eastern device to fill a time gap and to show the importance, the
greatness, of a person or people." The Bible list Moses and Abraham as
several hundred years old because they were holy and good men.
The rise of Joseph, an Israelite, in the court of an Egyptian pharaoh has
always puzzled me. Again, using historical context, Father Shamon explains
that around 1650 BC, a Hyksos pharaoh occupied the throne of Egypt. The
Hyksos were foreign occupiers of Egypt from 1710-1567 BC and were quite
possibly a Semitic tribe like the Israelites. Understanding this makes the
Pharaoh of Exodus, "who knew not Joseph," less confusing. (Father Shamon has
also written an excellent book explaining the book of Exodus entitled Exodus
Road to Freedom.)
In the final paragraph of the book, Father Shamon states, "The point of
Genesis is to make God living and present." Father Shamon has succeeded in
making Genesis more accessible to me therefore allowing me to draw closer to
God in Genesis.
I was searching for Old Testament history resources when Sonya Romens
recommended Genesis Book of Origins to me. It was the perfect resource. It
explains Genesis in a truly Catholic manner. Moreover, the clear writing
style makes this book a good resource for the older teen studying Genesis.
As my children and I study Genesis, I will keep Father Shamon's wonderful
book on hand for reference.
It is available from:
Resources Connections to History
541-138th St.
Amery, WI 54001
Fax: 1-509-693-9495
website: http://www.rchistory.com/
email:
orders@rchistory.com