God's Wisdom versus human wisdom

[catholic_heart]

Today's readings are from Gen 2:7-9;3:1-7, Ps 51:3-6,12-13,17, Rom 5:12-19, Matt 4:1-11In the debates among Christians about how to read the story of the Fall in Genesis, literally versus allegorically, we often miss the elemental truths which are presented to us. The first truth is this: when God created man, He "blew into His nostrils the

Comments

[fanha]

A good word and a fresh look at those passages, thanks for posting!

Plus you managed to use the word Jesus.

[catholic_heart]

Haha, shocker to see Jesus in a Christian forum, isn't it :)

[fanha]

Just making sure pastorlenny doesn't ever live that post down. =)

[pastorlenny]

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. :)

I like the way it says in verse 15 that "the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Adam certainly must have been quite submitted to God to allow Him to direct his location and vocation.

The cool thing, though, is that God left the animal's names up to Adam (verse 19). What do you make of that?

[catholic_heart]

That is cool, isn't it? I'm not exactly sure what to make of it. Maybe an argument for a proper Christian understanding of humanism? God allowing for a cooperation in His plan? God's humility, allowing humans to name parts of His creation? I'm not sure...

[martiancyclist]

I've heard an interesting argument that the command to name everything was never rescended, therefore it is our sacred duty to continue to explore strange, new worlds, to seek out new life, and new civilizations . . .

[catholic_heart]

Would that be where your user name came from, a desire to trek a bicycle to Mars?

[martiancyclist]

Speaking of Jesus, don't forget the key phrase in chapter one, repeated many times: "And God said". There's Jesus, right there!

[martiancyclist]

And the Breath of Life is the Holy Spirit, too.

Thanks to Fr. Daniel Byantoro for teaching me this...

[catholic_heart]

That was one of my favorite discoveries, how wind and spirit are the same word in Hebrew. It makes a lot of sense, really.

[martiancyclist]

You'd probably like Fr. Daniel. Might you ever be able to come to the DC area on a Wednesday night?

[nobleprolet]

There'll come a time when creation becomes redeemed so that lions will eat straw. We'll all become vegetarians, I think. But don't worry, there will be many plants to eat, new ones likely, things that make us forget our desire for a hearty steak!

[catholic_heart]

Haha, I like this :) Vegetarian or not, I certainly have no doubt God will always provide :)

[fanha]

I'd miss my meat personally. God's gonna have to work a bit to convince me on that one.

[nobleprolet]

I would think so too as I too love a hearty steak sometimes. But there will be more plants and vegetables - perhaps every plant will be edible in these times?

[thehonorableryu]

Genesis 2-3--actually, even the entire Bible--becomes new if we see that the tree of life at the center of the garden is actually a symbol of God in Christ coming to us in the form of food. :D Contemplate it for a bit. :)

[catholic_heart]

Good stuff :)