What are we to learn from the Eden stories? Is it “how depravity started?” or “how mad we make God?” No. By removing the unbiblical constraints of perfectionism, Adam and Eve’s sin becomes a blessing, our blessing to become the image of God.
Unbiblical perfectionism distorted knowledge into an atrocity. It described the all-knowing God as clueless, intolerant, and vindictive. His shortsighted ineptitude allowed the people access to the tree and the serpent access to the people; then, God condemned the people for listening to that voice of reason. Our all-powerful God did nothing to prevent any of it from happening, nor did he have the power to reverse the effects.
When did any of the biblical prophets teach such lessons? They did not.
After removing perfection theologies, the stories tell us how God made humanity into his likeness, the process that continues today with each individual and each community. When we lost innocence, we gained knowledge like his. That means our potential to be virtuous overshadows our capability to do evil.
God set up the garden scenario. He planted the two trees within reach, knowing all along what would happen. The possibility existed that the people would eat from one of those trees without the assistance of the serpent. The serpent hurried the process while acting with evil intent. He became cursed, and his existence changed. The people followed bad advice. They acted in selfishness, so were no longer innocent animals. Their lives changed too, but they were not cursed because they did not know evil. God remained with them. What happened did not change his plan.
God wants us. He longs for each of us. God particularly loves those who fumble at being good. Jesus came to serve those people. His “good news” message starts and ends with how much love God bestows onto humanity. Grace covers our inadequacies as long as we humbly continue trying.
God desires that we learn to live as his image. Our Creator enjoys it when we take responsibility for our thoughts and actions. He rejoices with forgiveness each time we repent. Yet, our Father wants us to let him be responsible for our restoration.
Yep, that is a much better lesson, and one the prophets taught.
