some thoughts on sin

Another Bible Study last night, although I missed the first half due to a church finance committee meeting (still have yet to figure out how to be in two places at once, but I'm working on it). The overall theme this week was Sin, and in particular, the origin of sin and human nature as our readings are limited to the Old Testament at this juncture. Quick hit ideas:

• I've always struggled with the story of “the Fall” in Genesis. In part, because I've seen it used to justify not seeking knowledge...as it was, allegedly, the act of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil that leads to the banishment from Eden. It frustrates me, as, if we are called to seek to be like God, and God is all-knowing, we should seek to obtain more knowledge (with the understanding of our inherent limitations - which may be the sin, in this instance). In any event, I tend to focus on the part of the story where Adam and Eve do not take responsibility for their actions – Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent, neither takes responsibility for their own choices. If the “first” sin was disobeying the instructions not to eat from that tree, then it would have to be compounded by the denial of its acceptance.
  
  
• As a spin off of the above discussion, there was some thoughts and questions regarding the devil, as it seems popular interpretation is the serpent is the devil (although my reading of Genesis leaves that open to some interpretation, but that's a digression for another day). As I struggle even on my good days with the idea of God, the idea of a devil seems even more doubtful to me. Obviously, one hears the statement that “the greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he doesn't exist.” Its a statement I strongly dislike for two reasons; first, its impossible to argue (in the philosophical, respectful sense) with someone who says this, because if you put forth argumentation against such existence, they simply quip this line, with no thinking or reasoning, and thus believe it must be true and you have obviously been duped. Its arrogant, and gives no credence to other ideas, and to the other arguments that could put forth in favor of that position. Second, I don't think its true. From religiously inclined folk, the devil is mentioned a lot. And, personally, if there is a devil, I would think the greatest trick is not convincing us of non-existence, but rather to blame him for everything wrong and evil instead of ourselves.
  
  
• The rest of the discussion from the night (while I was there) dealt with more personal thoughts, trending towards the ideas of confession and repentance. I find there are always semantical/definitional issues that will never get addressed in this type of setting, at least to my liking; but that the openness of the group is a real strength, and hopefully that is representative of the church as a whole, both in sharing ideas, and accepting the ideas of others. Its all a journey.