Monday’s thoughts
“Let’s Hear It From the Snake” or “What’s Original About Sin?”
I have wanted to do a sermon from the Jahwistic story of creation; the story of Adam and Eve and the Serpent and the Tree of Life and the fruit of the tree that was forbidden.
It is an important and much misunderstood tale. It takes us back to the source of our guilt as human beings and, in some ways of thinking theologically, it promotes the idea that Jesus died for our sins in order to reestablish our relationship with God I(that had been broken as a result of the Original Sin).
Who gets blame for the “Fall” and how that interprets into our day is very important.
Is it Adam’s fault. He took the first bite?
Is it Eve’s fault. She offered a rationale to take it?
Is it the serpent’s fault. The snake tried to trick them?
Is it God’s fault. God provided the paradise into which the couple was placed and the serpent and the tree that was the cause of the problem?
How does this story speak to us today?
Sunday, August 5th, we will consider one of the most quoted stories in the Bible. We will explore something about our human nature and we will consider the meaning of the idea of Original Sin.
Finally, just a few thoughts about the story in Genesis 3. It is in the Bible as a part of the first book in the Bible but it was written very late. In fact, if it were put into the Old Testament in the order in which it was written it would be in the back of the Old Testament. Secondly, it was never intended to be viewed as an actual story of actual people. It is a parable on the nature of the human spirit. Thirdly, the Hebrew word for Adam is “dirt”. The Hebrew word for Eve is “life”. Finally, it is never suggested the creature in the story was a snake; it is named a serpent — there is a difference. Also, the Original Sin is not sex. The Original Sin is two people thinking they are God. The Original Sin in the story is pride or hubris.
Do you have some thoughts about this subject. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the ‘comments’ box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
