The Risen Christ raises Adam and Eve from the tombs.
Alice C. Linsley
The Bible presents Adam and Eve in at least three ways: mythical, historical, and analogical. The mythical Adam and Eve present a theological understanding of estrangement from God. We first encounter figures called “Adam” and "Eve" in Genesis chapters 2, 3 and 4. The Adam and Eve of Genesis chapters2 and 3 are associated with the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Life, and the Serpent who tempted Eve. Adam and Eve are blamed for humanity’s “Fall” from the state of grace enjoyed in the Garden.
Genesis chapters 4 and 5 indicate that Adam and Eve were the historical parents of Cain and Seth and the progenitors of the early Hebrew ruler-priests. The early Hebrew believed in God Father and God Son, and this belief is still found among African populations in connection with the theme of estrangement.
“Once God and his son lived close to us. They walked, talked, ate, and slept among us. All was well then. There was no thievery or fighting or running off with another man's wife like there is now. But one day God's son ate in the home of a careless woman. She had not cleaned her dishes properly. God's son ate from a dirty dish, got sick, and died. This, of course, made God very angry. He left in a huff and hasn't been heard from since." (Charles Kraft, Christianity in Culture, Orbis Books, 1990, p. 153)
Another African story tells how "in the beginning death had not yet entered the world. There was plenty to eat, but a woman became greedy and tried to pound more grain than she was allotted. This required using a longer pestle. When she raised it to pound the grain, it struck the sky and God became angry and withdrew far into the heavens. Since then, people must toil the earth, death and disease trouble the people and it is no longer easy to reach God." (Richard Bush, ed. The Religious World, MacMillan Publishers, 1982, p. 38).
In these stories the female ancestor is responsible for the estrangement. However, in the Book of Romans, Paul holds Adam responsible for the Fall.
“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people” (Rom. 5:12).
“Death reigned from the time of Adam . . . even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam” (Rom. 5:14).
“Many died by the trespass of the one man” (Rom. 5:15).
“By the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man” (Rom. 5:17).
“Through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners” (Rom. 5:19).
Genesis presents both Adam and Eve as culpable. This binary balance between male and female ancestors is characteristic of African stories. Likewise, many biblical narratives involving male heroes have female counterparts.
“Once God and his son lived close to us. They walked, talked, ate, and slept among us. All was well then. There was no thievery or fighting or running off with another man's wife like there is now. But one day God's son ate in the home of a careless woman. She had not cleaned her dishes properly. God's son ate from a dirty dish, got sick, and died. This, of course, made God very angry. He left in a huff and hasn't been heard from since." (Charles Kraft, Christianity in Culture, Orbis Books, 1990, p. 153)
Another African story tells how "in the beginning death had not yet entered the world. There was plenty to eat, but a woman became greedy and tried to pound more grain than she was allotted. This required using a longer pestle. When she raised it to pound the grain, it struck the sky and God became angry and withdrew far into the heavens. Since then, people must toil the earth, death and disease trouble the people and it is no longer easy to reach God." (Richard Bush, ed. The Religious World, MacMillan Publishers, 1982, p. 38).
In these stories the female ancestor is responsible for the estrangement. However, in the Book of Romans, Paul holds Adam responsible for the Fall.
“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people” (Rom. 5:12).
“Death reigned from the time of Adam . . . even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam” (Rom. 5:14).
“Many died by the trespass of the one man” (Rom. 5:15).
“By the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man” (Rom. 5:17).
“Through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners” (Rom. 5:19).
Genesis presents both Adam and Eve as culpable. This binary balance between male and female ancestors is characteristic of African stories. Likewise, many biblical narratives involving male heroes have female counterparts.
Though Eve is the serpent’s primary target, both Adam and Eve are held responsible. This binary balance between male and female is characteristic of the social structure of the early Hebrew and is reflected in biblical narratives.
There are many examples: the distinct duties/responsibilities of the mother's house versus the father's house; male prophets-female prophets; male rulers-female rulers; inheritance by male heirs-inheritance by female heirs, patrilocal residence-matrilocal residence; Hebrew patronymics-Hebrew matronymics; and in the Hebrew double unilineal descent pattern, both the patrilineage and the matrilineage are recognized and honored, but in different ways.
The blood symbolism of the Passover associated with Moses has a parallel in the blood symbolism of the scarlet cord associated with Rahab.
The abusive behavior of drunken Noah toward his sons has a parallel in the abusive behavior of drunken Lot toward his daughters.
This male-female binary balance is found in New Testament narratives also. Jesus restored the widow of Nain's deceased son to his mother (Luke 7:11-17). Jesus restored Jairus' deceased daughter to her father (Mark 5:21-43).
There are many examples: the distinct duties/responsibilities of the mother's house versus the father's house; male prophets-female prophets; male rulers-female rulers; inheritance by male heirs-inheritance by female heirs, patrilocal residence-matrilocal residence; Hebrew patronymics-Hebrew matronymics; and in the Hebrew double unilineal descent pattern, both the patrilineage and the matrilineage are recognized and honored, but in different ways.
The blood symbolism of the Passover associated with Moses has a parallel in the blood symbolism of the scarlet cord associated with Rahab.
The abusive behavior of drunken Noah toward his sons has a parallel in the abusive behavior of drunken Lot toward his daughters.
This male-female binary balance is found in New Testament narratives also. Jesus restored the widow of Nain's deceased son to his mother (Luke 7:11-17). Jesus restored Jairus' deceased daughter to her father (Mark 5:21-43).
Adam and Eve serve as examples of estrangement from God. The estrangement results from disobedience and listening to appealing lies. Such “sinful” behaviors are found among all humans, so this narrative reflects a universal truth. Similar ideas of estrangement from the Creator are found in the myths of many cultures. However, it can be fairly argued that the Messianic Faith we call “Christianity” provides a unique answer to the problem of sin and death.
The theme of estrangement has deep roots among the early Hebrew whose point of origin was Africa. Prayers and songs written by the Hebrew priests of the Nile Valley are available to read in the Ancient Pyramid Texts. Some of these texts date to 2600 B.C. and speak of the bodily resurrection of a priest-king who would lead his people to immortality. Paul’s statement in Ephesians 4:8 reflects this early belief: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." The same belief is expressed in Psalm 68:18: “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train…”
If you wish to comment on this post, please respond to these questions.
In what ways do we as Christians overcome estrangement from God?
In what ways do we celebrate God’s answer to sin and death?
Related reading: Adam and Estrangement from God; Male and Female are Primary in the Hebrew Scriptures; The Hebrew Were a Caste; Horite and Sethite Mounds; An Anthropologist Look at Genesis 4; An Anthropologist Looks at Genesis 5; Ancient Edom
Alice your work is such a blessing! May the Most High continue to guide you and keep you in His will and way.
ReplyDeleteChristians overcome estrangement from God by humbling themselves, confessing their sins, turning away from those sins, and asking and accepting His forgiveness.
By honoring that great and perfect sacrifice- by becoming a living sacrifice (denying our old self)- seeking excellence in His authority-everyday. Through praise and sacrifice also are some ways to celebrate Gods answer to sin and death.
Just want to say Thank You Alice!!
Beautifully said.
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