A favorite text among lay critics is Genesis 11:1-9 (the Tower of Babel narrative). Some, in an act of textual isolationism, claim that the text is concerned solely with the origin of multiple languages; others, anthropomorphizing exceedingly above and beyond what the text presents, state that “the God” of the narrative is neither omniscient nor omnipotent; still others are drawn to make the erroneous conclusion that God is fearful that these men might literally reach into heaven once they have completed the building of their tower!
Now, if there’s anything that annoys me to no end, it’s sloppy textual analysis, myopia, and falsity – i.e. the only factors that can make the above positions regarding the “Tower” narrative tenable. Sloppy textual analysis may have more to do with an individual’s lack of experience, so I can forgive that sort of ignorance when I see it; however, when people disingenuously froth and foam at the mouth defending an erroneous position that they have reached only by refusing to consider alternative methodologies (i.e. myopia) or by flat out lying about the text, I find it just a tad bit harder to take them seriously. If someone doesn’t believe, has no interest in ever believing, and will not believe even if they are shown to be wrong on every pseudo-point they raise, why should I cast my pearls before swine?
But if I don’t address the “critics”, won’t I appear to be guilty of the same errors as them? Possibly. So to be fair, I thought I’d post something on this topic, seeing as I haven’t found many serious defenses of the narratival consistency and theological integrity of the Tower narrative of Genesis 11:1-9, except for a few articles that attempt to justify a historical reading of the narrative’s secondary, yes secondary, emphasis (i.e. the origination of multiple languages) and, indirectly, its primary emphasis (i.e. the imagination of man).
The Real Emphasis of the Tower Narrative
While the main event of the narrative is the shift from lingual unity to lingual dissonance, and from communal harmony to communal dissonance, the driving force behind this fragmentation is “the imagination of man’s thoughts” of Gen. 6:5, here alluded to in v.6, and God’s necessary intervention. The impotence of humans to do anything that is good, communally or individually, necessitates God’s intervention throughout the entire Bible, not to mention just in the first few chapters of Genesis. From Adam and Eve’s inability to fend for themselves (3:17-19, 21), to Cain’s inability to “rule over” sin (4:8-9) and on to the very real threat of being murdered thereafter (4:13-16), past Lamech’s polygamy and abuse of God’s mercy (4:23-24), which foreshadows the widespread sexual immorality (6:1-3), “corruption” and “violence” preceding the deluge (6:5-7), God must intervene if humanity is to survive. God’s intervention is always rooted in his mercy.
God’s mercy is evident, in spite of man’s sinfulness and corruption. And contrary to what your liberal theologian will tell you, these narratives are inextricably woven together, presenting us with the larger narrative of God’s image and man’s imagination. The former is what drives God to institute a judicial system meant to prevent the sin that lead up to the deluge of Gen. 6-9 (see, 9:5-6); the latter is what drove man to unify, seeing as strife and violent division were outlawed (as evidenced throughout chapters 4-6), and foolishly imagine himself able to “penetrate heaven” (11:4). If we assume, logically, that man’s imagination here is the same mechanism whereby Adam and Eve believed themselves to be free from the ramifications of their behavior (3:4-6), inspired Cain to murder his own brother (4:8-9) and, in unparalleled hypocrisy, fear a similar death at the hands of another (4:13-16), caused Lamech to believe that he could demand God’s protection and mercy (4:23-24), and inspire men to live in violence and corruption (6:5-7), then why would any reader assume that the “imagination” of the tower builders is any less impotent and heading toward only one logical destination: violence and corruption against man by man, made in the image of God?
Man’s imagination in the book of Genesis, as well as throughout the Bible, is fully corrupt, giving him the ability to do only one thing: sin.
In fact, here’s an interesting piece of scripture for those who would claim otherwise:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
- Romans 1:18-25
Doesn’t this settle the issue?
