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 this discussion, 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. It is suggested that the reader review the Discussion Questions for this series after reading the posts of this series.

Another Interpretation of the Garden of Eden Story

Review of previous post

The previous post, post number 18 of 19, discussed the relationship between the Garden of Eden story and the Cain and Abel story.

Preview of this post

This post, post 19 of 19, presents some lessons which might be learned from the Garden of Eden story.

Lessons being taught by the story

It can be stated that Adam and Eve were not “cast out” of the Garden of Eden, but after several final lessons from God, were sent on their way or, indeed, left of their own volition, to fulfill their destiny, the destiny that God had created them for: to build a world and to exercise dominion over all in the world. The world could not be built from the Garden of Eden where everything was taken care of for them and they merely existed and did not live. Adam and Eve were not “cast out” of the Garden of Eden because of their disobedience, they left because they had evolved and outgrown the Garden. God did not permit them to return to the Garden because He knew they would have difficult times outside the Garden and may want to return (much the same way children often wish to return home after or during difficult times) and He knew it was better for human progress to stay out of the womb of the Garden of Eden. In fact, it might even be argued that the forbidden fruit episode was part of God’s plan for humans. Certainly, to the Biblical audience who had difficulty living from day-to-day and whose homes were often at risk and who may even have suffered exile, life in the Garden would be quite inviting and certainly a desirable alternative to their present life. These people would be expected to ask why they could not simply return to the Garden. The Bible’s answer is that God forbade it. Therefore, the audience was forced to persevere. Furthermore, God appeared to have given Adam and Eve a new beginning when He, in Genesis 3:21 “made garments of skins for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” Man has always been disobedient to God, but God has always allowed a new beginning for men, if the man is truly contrite and atones for the error. If leaving the Garden is viewed as being retribution for disobedience, that means that, since we have never been able to re-enter, God has not, ever, allowed a clean slate for us for the action of Adam and Eve. It is difficult, if not impossible, to accept such a God who does not grant second chances, especially when He did grant second chances in other situations. This makes it doubly difficult to accept the interpretation that God did not, ever, forgive Adam and Eve. Therefore, it seems to be a better view that the leaving of Adam and Eve was not due to any transgression on their part, but, instead, was a way of forcing them (or allowing them)  to become human beings and to work with God in creating a world as God’s partner. Until Adam and Eve demonstrated an ability to exercise their imaginations and their free will, man could not be this partner that God desired. The moment they demonstrated that ability, they were promoted to partner and sent off to do the work of a partner.

Without change, humans are stagnant whenever and wherever they are. Change is essential to progress, it is not merely vital, it is necessary. Adam and Eve were stagnant in the Garden of Eden, had they not experienced change, they would have withered and died. With imagination, they probably would have died of boredom. Thus, they had to change the way they were living. God facilitated this change by allowing them to leave the Garden of Eden

Thus, the “Fall^[1] of Man” was really the “Birth of Man” in the Garden of Eden Story and the Garden of Eden Story is really a continuation of the first creation story starring man instead of God creating our world. We are still writing the Garden of Eden story^[2].

Preview of the next post.

This post concludes the series.

^[1] It should be noted that the story of the Garden of Eden does not use the term “Fall,” and the term is not used anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible to describe the events of this episode. Thus, it would appear that the Bible itself does not view this as a “fall”.

^[2] See the series titled “Partners”.