Growing up in a Catholic School, I’ve always been relatively familiar with the Bible. However, only until about 10th grade did I actually read any of it while studying the Old Testament. I distinctly remember reading various stories throughout Genesis, and what I most remember is that I really disliked it, a lot.
Of course, the most distinct story is the account of creation. God formed the earth from nothing and man from the earthin a matter of six days, and then Adam and Eve sin and damn the rest of mankind for eternity. Overall, it really seems to be a terrible way of starting off the human race, in my opinion. Regardless, the story of creation has contradicted everything that I have learned in science class, especially about the age of the planet Earth and dinosaurs.
Also, the story of Cain and Abel is a vague memory for me. Though, it’s really only when Cain is banned from father’s land that stands out. When Cain is banished from the land, he worries that people from other villages will murder him because they know he killed his brother. But what I question is: what other people? Cain and Abel are supposed to be the sons of Adam and Eve, who were the first human beings to have been created. Where did these supposed other people come from? It really blows my mind when Cain stumbles upon a Hebrew village of people away from Eden. Was there a part of the story that was left out or are we just supposed to have faith that it makes practical sense? I remember asking several religion teachers that question in grammer school and in high school and they all just gave me some sort of concerning look.
However, the story of the great flood with Noah has always been my favorite of all of the Genesis stories. Whether it may be true or not, it makes for an amusing story of divine genocide. The newly created world that God was so happy with turns to hell on earth, and so he decides to destroy everything. But the goodness in one man’s heart touches God and he saves Noah and his family and two of each living creature from across the entire planet and then drowns the whole earth. Regardless of how illogical the realisticness of the story are, it made for a great movie.
Evan Almighty, with Steve Carrel from Anchorman
I can't exactly say that Genesis has had any big impact on my life, but I can say that I do experience one small aspect of the story of the ark everyday. In the story, Noah releases a white dove to see if the earth is at peace. Doves are seen as very sweet, loyal, and peaceful birds-- and, I have one of my very own.
Creatively, I named her Dovey. She's absolutely the most adorable and sweetest thing that I have ever laid my eyes on. Though, I can't really see her flying around the open sky and returning with an olive branch; it seems she doesn't like to fly far distances.
I do think there is a lot of things in Genesis that seem to be missing parts. Leaving it up to one's faith or rather one's imagination to fill in the holes, these stories seem to be parables to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above. I see the Old Testament as more symbolic than historical. Stories used as explanations for natural phenomena, or as a way to teach lessons, if you will. People in that day and age could not have known about evolution, so they placed man at the creation of Earth. They used original sin as a way to explain why bad things happen, it must be a punishment. In my personal opinion though, the fact that the stories are not exactly true does not disprove a God.
ReplyDeleteYou are the second blog I have read to say that the story of Cain and Able did not stick out to you. I find this very strange because it is the story of the first murder. I always have remembered it because I found it completely disturbing that someone would kill his own brother out of jealousy. It makes me wonder why people do not remember it well.
I also greatly appreciate your addition about Dovey.
I definitely agree with the idea that you spoke of concerning the "other people" Cain stumbles upon.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I do not understand how others could have existed if Adam, Eve and their children were the first inhabitants. It rises so many questions, "Were Adam and Eve truly the only ones first created, or did God secretly create others? Or, did the writers of the bible purposefully leave it out for a specific reason?" Like many things that we question of the bible, I doubt we shall ever know. The only answer we receive from asking a question concerning the bible is yet another question. However, I must say that the story of creation was my favorite out of all the stories in the book of Genesis.