January 13, 2010
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Grappling with Original Sin
Perhaps the biggest objection to the existence of the Christian God for most people is the concept of original sin. It seems grossly unjust and totally characteristic of a vindictive God. Irrational, erratic, and imposing consequences for which he never warned his creation. It should have been enough that he told Adam and Eve, “Don’t do it.” That’s the impression that I get.
If you’ve been reading my blog you know that, ultimately, this is a problem I’m struggling with, though in my mind it does not invalidate the existence of the creator, but it makes it extremely difficult to love him, even for me in these times.
“Guilt by association” is how I’m currently thinking of it, and this concept is everywhere in the Old Testament. But new ideas are beginning to form in my head as I continue to study the Bible. None are based on a literal acceptance of most of the Book of Genesis, so not much of what I’m thinking is going to resonate with some.
Prior to The Fall, were A&E fully aware of the nature of evil, as we are now? Feedback would be truly appreciated.
Comments (1)
I think your key word here would be “fully”. As humans, I’m not sure we are EVER fully aware of anything. It’s like that line in the play Our Town, where the girl asks the stage manager, “Do any of them really know? Are they aware?” and he answers,”No, well, some do, the poets, they do.” (Poor paraphrase is mine) As humans we only think as deeply as our attention spans. So I guess what I am saying is that A & E were merely being human….