In the Beginning
I do not believe heaven and earth were created in the manner the Bible describes. I think in more scientific terms, such as “The Big Bang Theory.” I do not know what the true answer is, or when it will be revealed to us, but I do not discount the possibility a higher intelligence played a component. It could be a combination of science and faith, or it could be something entirely unrelated. I believe the ancient prophets were, in many respects, comparable in knowledge, belief systems and cognitive processes to the ancient Greek civilizations, which based their explanations of natural occurrences on mythology for centuries, until science was able to debunk the Gods of the Greek culture. Therefore the writings of the Bible should not be interpreted in a literal sense, but rather a process of acquired knowledge that contain lessons for living our lives in a meaningful manner. I do feel there is a power greater than humans can conceive of with our present level of understanding. What that power is, exactly, may closely resemble our beliefs, or completely contradict our current theology of what/who God is.
It is believed by Christians, and reinforced in many translations of the Bible, that God created mankind in his own image. The overt problem with this concept is the diversity of our cultures seems to signify a glaring example of why humanity could not have descended from a single line; Adam and Eve. In later documentation, it is recorded that Adam and Eve parented only two sons, (which prohibit reproduction) and that there was acknowledgement of other humans inhabiting the earth when Cain was ordered to wander the earth as punishment for the murder of his brother, Abel. Additionally, the term mankind is not exclusive to the male gender. What is the image of God if it includes males, females, whites, blacks, Latinos, Europeans, and so forth? Sometime after Cain slew Abel, Adam and Eve were recognized to parent many more children, including daughters, which are mentioned briefly in passing. The image of God, therefor, must include male and female embodiments.
While living in the utopian Eden, the statement is written in Chapter 2 verse 25 “The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.” I do not accept this as a direct diction from God because there is no indication of shame documented prior to “the original sin.” The wearing of clothing serves many purposes, some of which are created by necessity and some are driven by culture and fashion, but the idea of nakedness is something to be tied with shame is more reflective of the author’s own personal feelings and perceptions. If we are created in the image of God, then simple nudity is not reason enough to illicit shame.
The accounts of the creation of earth and man originate from the points of view of the orators and writers who bequeathed the legacy of this story throughout the generations. In this account, both nature and man mysteriously appear from the desires of God. The same documentation has glaring contradictions when the idea of reproduction is introduced in verse 24. Neither the creation of nature, nor the creation of man provide for the concept of procreation. None of the objects I create from my desires can reproduce like copies of itself. Reproduction of plant, animal and human life is not addressed in the creation theory from either a functional standpoint or as a gift of creation.
The relationship of man as superior to woman is implicated in the 2nd chapter when woman is created from the rib of man. No other creature created by God is believed to provide a female counterpart by sacrificing part of their anatomy. This sacrifice is symbolic of domination because the inference that Eve is an incomplete, inferior portion of Adam, despite the fact that the proliferation of life now emanates from Eve. Eve brings forth human life. Therefore, she cannot be an incomplete copy, nor can she be inferior in any concept. Eve as an inferior being is also contradicted in the next chapter where Eve eats of the forbidden tree, symbolic of great knowledge and power. Eve craves a greater understanding of her existence while Adam is content to have his needs met by God, and serviced by Eve. A desire to learn is often the greatest indication of intelligence rather than the actual level of intelligence. The passage also implies that Eve had power over Adam when Adam “listened to Eve and ate of the fruits of the tree.” It is interesting to note that no one accepted responsibilities for their actions. (Eve placing blame on the snake, and Adam placing blame on Eve) but yet in the male/female struggle for dominion, God punished all parties equally, indicating the struggle for power and dominion was not a mandate of God, but rather one created from within the male/female relationship.
wow, I never thought of it that way. all my life I was taught the bible said women were under their husbands. you make a good case it was not the way God intended, but was the interpretation of the men who preached it to us.
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