- Garden of Eden – Alternate View
- Garden of Eden – Alternate View
- Garden of Eden – Alternate Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Alternate Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Alternate Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Alternate Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Another Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Another Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Alternate View
- Garden of Eden – Another Interpretation
- Human Evolution in the Garden of Eden
- Tree of Knowledge
- Garden of Eden – Another Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – Another Interpretation
- Garden of Eden – God’s “curse”
- Garden of Eden – Punishment of Innocents
- Another Interpretation of the Garden of Eden Story
- Another Interpretation of the Garden of Eden
- The Garden of Eden – Introduction
In which an alternative view is offered regarding the exit of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, the action of women and the relationship of men and women are explored and the story of Cain and Abel is reinterpreted in light of the actions taken during the Garden of Eden Story.
In order to fully appreciate the posts in this series, it is recommended that the posts comprising the series “In God’s Image” and “Imagination and the Mind of Man” be read before reading the posts in this series.
Another Interpretation of the Garden of Eden Story
Review of the previous post
The previous post, post number 2 of 19 continued the discussion of various arguments that have been proposed for the “banishment” of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
Preview of this post.
This post, post number 3 of 19 continues the discussion of various arguments that have been proposed for the “banishment” of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and speculates about a reason why the exit of Adam and Eve from the Garden was not an “exile.”
Adam and Eve were not exiled from the Garden
Since Adam and Eve’s exit from the Garden is often characterized as being an exile, one should consider what the term “exile” entailed in the Pentateuch. In the Pentateuch, the concept of “exile” was generally associated with punishment. However, another concept is also associated with “exile,” and this concept is equally important to punishment: the concept of exile also includes the promise of restoration and return based on repentance during the exile. Return from exile is generally initiated by God and promises complete restoration of former circumstances and sometimes more[1]. Exile as punishment must be accompanied by restoration in return for repentance. However, in the story of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve are not permitted to return, and indeed God prohibits it. Hence, the concept of exile from the Garden as punishment does not hold up.
Preview of the next post
The next post, post number 4 of 19 presents a discussion of an argument against the position that Adam and Eve were “banished” because they transgressed.
[1] For example, Jacob leaves home, but is permitted to return, the people of Judah are exiled but return, Moses leaves Egypt but returns.