The second creation story in Genesis places an emphasis on the idea of knowledge as knowledge is one of the defining characteristics that not only separates humans from other species, but also separates humans from each other. According to Michael Legaspi, this “knowledge of good and evil” is not omniscient and god-like knowledge. Rather it is knowledge that allows Adam and Eve to make opinions and conclusions independently. Once they eat the fruit, their views on things change, such as they are now ashamed of their nakedness and they see the serpent as dishonest and a trickster. This idea of knowledge is important because it is what we experience as we grow up. As children, innocence alters our perception of most things, similar to that of Adam and Eve, and as we grow up our perceptions begin to change as experience replaces innocence, just as Adam and Eve’s perceptions changed once they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the fact that they must eat the fruit rather than touch or look at something continues to play into the analogy of child-like innocence. By making it so they must eat the fruit, it eliminates the chance of them accidentally disobeying God. Accidentally looking or bumping into something is very possible, however, it is unlikely one would accidentally eat something they aren’t supposed to when there are plenty of other options. Adam and Eve’s deliberate act of disobedience is analogous to a child disobeying their parents as well as the overwhelming curiosity displayed by a child when told not to do something. Furthermore, Adam and Eve’s trust in the serpent highlights the inherent trusting nature of children. It is for this reason that one cannot blame Adam and Eve for eating the forbidden fruit in the story the same way one cannot blame a child for disobeying their parents every once in a while. Their failure to obey was not an act of malice, but simply them not knowing any better. Eating the fruit does not make them God-like, rather it takes away their innocent view of the world and reveals suffering and struggle that was always present. This is why God’s act of banishing them from the garden was one of mercy as it gives a purpose to the suffering in the world now that they must work for their own survival. Having responsibilities gives an adult’s life meaning whereas a child’s purpose in life is simply to enjoy life and learn to survive on their own for when the time comes. 

This opening chapter of Genesis offers an account of the origin of our world, however, this chapter is not meant to be taken literally. Instead, it is meant to help us appreciate the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and show us the personal relationship each of us shares with God. For example, as God creates each part to the world, the goodness of each creation is emphasized by ending with “and God saw that it was good.” This asserts the fact that each aspect to God’s creation that we encounter in our daily lives is something that should be appreciated rather than taken for granted. The description of the creation of humanity in this passage also reminds us of how it is our job to care for the rest of God’s creation. In the chapter, it says, “…and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” This line is not saying we own the earth and everything on it, rather, it is showing us that we have a responsibility to care for and love the beauty of the world around us. This emphasis on the goodness of the world around us and our role in caring for it can help us to realize how beautiful God’s creation truly is. This passage also accentuates the personal relationship each of us shares with God by showing his love for humanity. Humanity is the last thing God creates in the passage before finally resting on the seventh day and up to this point, each thing God has created has been followed with the quote “and God saw that it was good,” but after the creation of humanity (his final creation) is the line “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” It was not until God made humanity that his work was complete, showing the important relationship we have with God. This is also why God rests on the seventh day. Again, this does not literally mean God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh, but instead, it emphasizes the idea that humanity is the final and most important aspect to God’s creation by showing once we have been made, “…the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” The first chapter of Genesis is not a historical account of how the world was created. Instead, it exemplifies the vital role humanity has in caring for our world and the personal relationship we each share with God, which can help us to obtain a better foundation in our own faith. 

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.