Synopsis:
The writers of Genesis offer us two accounts of the creation. The first concludes with a very good creation and God taking a sabbath rest to which all creation is invited. The second concludes with the creation of relationship where the human is torn apart in two making the first community, the first relationship. If we choose to read Genesis literally we already run into problems because there are two creation accounts that are opposites, so it is better to see Genesis as the ancients divinely inspired way of describe the state of world and the human condition. Immediately, the humans choose the one thing they are told not to do because they are told they will become “like gods themselves,” so they eat of the fruit. Immediately, they see more than they ever wanted to see and they feel shame. Their bodies are not a source of life, joy, and love as God intended, but a sign of their lack, embarrassment, and shame. Seeing ourselves as we truly are with fresh eyes, naked before the God who loves us and accepts us is the first step towards healing and reconciliation as we clear the way for Christ to come and speak words over our lives: “You are loved, you are forgiven, and you are welcome.”
