NL 301: Creation and Fall - Genesis 2:4b-7,15-17; 3:1-8

image: pixabay

image: pixabay

Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8

Initial Thoughts

  • Original sin? Whether you agree or disagree- this must be address as it is the prevailing theology

Bible Study

  • Background

    • Part of the older story of creation (Genesis 2 bedates Genesis 1) - J or Yahwist

    • “Eden” means “delight”, “luxury” or “dainty”

    • The earth creature (ha adam) is placed in the garden to help God “till” (to serve and keep the garden)

  • Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil

    • Unknown exactly what it symbolizes- few parallels in ancient literature

    • Only time it appears in scripture

    • God offered incredible - but not boundless - freedom

  • Breaking the relationship

    • Trust, Obedience and Intimacy with God are broken and  devolve into distrust (3:5), disobedience and temptation (3:6) and finally a broken relationship and estrangement between humanity and God and humanity with itself.

  • Good and Evil

    • To know Good and Evil is not about ethical discernment or rational choice, but rather “the desire to make ourselves the arbiters of good and evil, assuming for ourselves the role of God.” Allen Mcsween Jr, Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary - Feasting on the Word – Year A, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide. 

    • Humanity falls to temptation and immediately begins to justify the choice:

      • She touches the tree and doesn’t die (3:2-3, although Eve adds this, God doesn’t claim touching the tree will kill them- the first mistranslation)

      • “good” , “a delight”, “to be desired to make one wise” (3:6) - all seemingly good reasons to eat the fruit

    • Arbitrary rules?

      • Seems like it to the child, but not to the parent

      • God grants us freedom within boundaries - the boundaries are not there for God’s well-being but for ours

        • You may eat anything but not the chemicals under the sink

        • You may play anywhere, but not in the middle of the street

      • God’s torah, law and will are there for our benefit and the benefit of creation

      • Does God lie?

        • Humanity did not die the the day they ate from the tree (2:17)

        • The consequences of their actions introduces death, pain and suffering into the world

        • God threatens but chooses not to kill humanity

  • Theological interpretation

    • Classical interpretation: Adam’s disobedience (by taking from the tree) invited sin and evil into the world and condemns humanity to death. This is countered by Christ’s obedience and sacrifice (by offering himself upon the “tree”) redeems us and allows us to once again live in full relationship with God

      • The original sin of Adam in cleansed in the baptismal waters as we participate in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

    • Mythical allegory describing theodicy (why is there evil in the world?)

      • Sin, evil and even death are introduced into the world by humanity’s free will choosing not-God.

      • Jesus shows us the way to choose God (even unto death on the cross)

      • We are condemned and redeemed by the choices we make

  • Important things to remember

    • Sin is NEVER mentioned in this story

    • Satan and the devil are never mentioned

    • What is the consequence of humanity’s disobedience? Fear and shame - both unnatural in the garden

    • 365 times - do not fear

    • No need to feel shame

      • Guilt (for doing something wrong)? Yes

      • Shame (for being something wrong)? Never

Thoughts and Questions:

  • Humanity’s disobedience leads to fear and shame (either self imposed or imposed upon us by others). Perhaps the kingdom of God is moving toward a place where none feel fear or shame again.

  • Churches can quickly become “Jesus-optional” ethical societies. The call to follow Christ is not a call to be an ethical Christian, but a Christ centered Christian. Being a follower of Christ may lead us to make unethical decisions (Abraham and Isaac, Bonhoeffer and the attempted assassination of Hitler).

Year 3Eric FistlerGenesisComment