From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Sun Apr 27 2003 - 11:18:04 EDT
In a message dated 4/26/03 4:32:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jeisele@starpower.net writes:
> Physical death as a consequence of sin is central
> Christian doctrine, not some trivial census number.
> And the Bible got it wrong. When Christians are
> confronted with this, generally the silence or the
> dishonesty begins.
>
> This is not one fault, Debbie. Supposedly it was the
> very reason for the NT.
>
> Jim
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That's right - the very reason for the NT and it fits perfectly.
When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of
good and evil” the “eyes of both of them were opened and they discovered
that they were naked; so they stitched fig-leaves together and made
loincloths… and hid from the Lord God.” (Genesis 3: 6-7)
Adam and Eve’s eyes are opened, their nakedness is revealed and they hide.
They see something they could not see before, something upon which they
suddenly and intensely focus, they feel shame and they feel fear.
THAT'S THE OT
THIS IS THE REMEDY IN THE NT
In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus says,
“When you disrobe without being ashamed… you will not be
afraid.”2
Jesus’ words in this Nag Hammadi text from 1st century Egypt dovetail
perfectly with the nature of the fall in Genesis. The fall brought shame and
fear. Returning to God would remove them.
Jesus appears to have understood perfectly what the allegories in genesis
meant. I wonder if that's why he spoke in parables - stories with double
meanings - do you think he might have been doing exactly what we find done in
the OT - double meaning - one simple meaning on the surface apprehensible to
all and a hidden deeper meaning? Is it a radical suggestion to say that
Jesus' style of teaching reflects the allegorical style of genesis?
rich
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