In a message dated 3/1/2006 8:11:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,
chris.barden@gmail.com writes:
Rich, I'm sympathetic toward your view of Genesis but your definition
of "sin" seems problematic to me, if for one reason only: it makes the
lack of wisdom "sin" if the potentiality is there for decreasing one's
survival (which it obviously is). "And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52) What if the
child Jesus did something unwise that could have killed him, like
touching something hot or getting too close to deep water? You can of
course argue that Jesus did no such thing, so he did not "sin", but
that seems to make his increase in wisdom a meaningless notion.
Chris
There is no mention of the child Jesus doing anyhting unwise, so your remark
is a hypothetical to which it is impossible to respond. My "view" of genesis
is taken from the literal text.
Before the fall, Adam has certain qualities that actually describe
instinctive behavior. His eyes are closed (he doesn't KNOW what he is doing because he
is not making any choices - he is behaving instinctively), he has no shame
(because he has no SELF consciousness) and he has no fear (zero ontological
anxiety = no conception of death and hence no fear of death).
After the fall, his eyes are open (he knows the difference between good and
evil), he has shame (SELF consciousness) and he has fear (awareness of his own
mortality with a resulting increase in ontological anxiety).
This is not interpretation. It arises from the text itself.
Chris, have you read my paper?
rich faussette
Received on Wed Mar 1 08:19:27 2006
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