Thoughts on The Eden Story in Genesis

It has been the Church's misconception of this story that has led to faulty assumptions. Most theologians and pastors speak of the "Fall" as being caused by a particular act of disobedience on the part of Adam and Eve. But if we let the rest of theBible interpret it for us we see another explaination. I am of the opinion that the Eden storyis not about disobedience as much as it is about self-centeredness. Adam and Eve are not banished because they disobeyed God (They did disobey by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but that is not the main issue in the story). The real issue is that their disobedience led to them looking at themselves and blaming others.

This is the opposite of Jesus' Commands to Love God and Love others. We were no longer in line with God's will and so it was impossible for us to remain in God's presence. It's a spiritual problem and not a legal issue.In God's good time and out of His abundant grace Jesus came to us and offered us a way back to God's presence. He saved us from our life of death and offeres us eternal life with our Father. Hence the name Jesus: "God Saves."

See "Cain Loved God".

Christopher