I have come across a great new book: Genesis Interpretation A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, by Walter Brueggemann.  It was written 1982, but is very relevant for today - especially with the new frontiers opening in genetics.  In Brueggemann's view, Genesis 1 - 11 are a complete thought, so focusing exclusively on Genesis 2 and 3 misses the whole idea.  I am plodding my way through this book, just finishing up the Genesis 2:4b - 3:24 chapter (the chapters are long), so I can't comment on the results yet.

Some insights after reading the beginning of the book:

• the work (Gen. 1 - 11) is likely linked to the Royal Court - which sponsored scientific and philosophical investigations of life, perhaps commissioned during Solomon's reign.

• the work (Gen. 1 - 11) is neither mythological - confining meaning to the world of the gods, nor scientific - giving creation its own intrinsic meaning.

• Creator and creation have to do with each other decisively.   Neither can be understood apart from the other. 

• Creator/ Creation/ Create/ Creature - not equal to "cosmos" or "nature" rather "Creator creates creation"

I will write more on this later.