CRISIS

Previously I shared about Creation. God created the heavens and the earth and he called it good (It's interesting how dualism has set into the western Christian faith despite the fact that scripture tells us point blank that God has created of everything and he calls it good. There is no divide between spiritual and physical. Both are good. But this is a topic for another time).

Not only did God create a good creation, God created humankind, male and female together in God's own image. And this deposit, whatever it may be, is still in all humanity. This is the image God continually calls us and encourages us to bring out in everyday life.

This humanity is good, and God gives humanity the keys to the earth so to speak. God has not created slaves to do his bidding. Instead he has created a masterpiece and gives humanity the great honor to care and tend to this beautiful place. Humanity has the privilege of learning about it, experiencing it, and naming it.

In the midst of all this goodness, God, creating a real world that in part has the ability to choose it's own destiny, creates one boundary of respect within this good world. The first humans have the ability to respect God's boundaries or step over God's boundaries. The first humans have good intentions and avoid crossing this boundary for a time; however, something enters the story. Adam and Eve, as the Genesis narrative shares, are confronted with the idea that God is withholding something from them.

For them it is like God withholding part of his godlikeness from them. The serpent in the story presents the glimmer of distrust that Adam and Eve focus on. The fruit seems good. The fruit looks good. The fruit smells good. And the serpent promises that it will give them 'god-like' power to discern, to know good from evil. This tree has been called the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent focuses in on something humans want... they want to be like God.

Most children I know want to be like their parents. Teenagers especially... younger children put on mom and dad's shoes and jewelry and try to run the sweeper or push a fisher-price lawnmower, but teens they want parent-like power ~ the ability to chose their own destiny and make their own rules.

Similarly, Adam and Eve see god-likeness something to be had... and, of course, God doesn't want to keep 'god-likeness' from us does he? Adam and Eve take of the fruit. They cross the boundaries. They take for themselves what isn't theirs.

It's interesting, for people to trust one another, there has to be respect for one another's boundaries. When someone does not respect your boundaries, trust is hard to come by. One night my wife and I managed to leave our garage door open all night. My wife was the last one out three, so I assumed she had shut the door. Well, the next morning I woke, went to prepare my coffee and looked out the kitchen window... The garage door was wide open. I became angry... why? Not because the door was left open, but because I felt vulnerable. I felt the pain of the thought of having something of mine stolen. Why? because, although I want to trust my neighbors and there are many whom I do trust, there have been occurrences of missing items, bikes stolen in broad daylight... there is a bus stop less than thirty feet from my garage... I am in a sense fearful of someone crossing my boundaries and taking what is mine.

And humanity is the culprit. Humanity has crossed the line. Rob Bell (in Velvet Elvis) wrote, "the greatest truth about Adam and Eve is not that they existed; the greatest truth is that their story is our story, it still happens..." People still cross the boundaries. People still take what isn't theirs. People still live to fulfill their selfish desires, and it wreaks havoc in all kinds of ways.

Relationships are broken. Distrust is born. We are left isolated, detached.

Not only does crossing the boundaries mess up Adam and Eve's relationship with God... they can no longer face God without shame, they are fearful God will dislike them and destroy them, so they hide.

They also, begin to hide from each other. The once completely vulnerable, open, authentic (naked and unashamed) couple now cover themselves. They hide their differentness. They begin to protect themselves and build up walls of indifference to avoid the possibility of pain because deep within they can't fully trust one another.

This breach in relationship has devastating effects. Adam names Eve (in other words he objectifies her and treats her as an animal). Cain (son of Adam and Eve) murders his own brother. Lamech (son of Cain) boasts of how quickly he will kill a person for looking at him wrong. God laments... "What have I done? These people's hearts are on evil all the time." God plans to destroy the earth, but before he carries out his 'appropriate' judgment, he sees Noah. And God begins the plan of redemption... He rescues Noah and his family. And God in many ways begins anew. But it's only a few verses later when the breach continues and Noah crosses the boundaries...(read about it in Genesis)

Today, we don't have to look very far to recognize the 'fall of humanity'. Read the newspaper, watch the news... many of us have experienced theft and violence. All of us have experienced the deep hurt of someone crossing our boundaries in all kinds of ways. Many of us (if not all) have added to the hurt and harm. We've done our share of crossing boundaries. As Brian McLaren said it, "This is the crisis we find ourselves in" (The Story We Find Our Selves In) .

The Biblical story does not cover up human evil--the harm we do to society, self, creation, and against God. The Bible honestly shares the story of a God who seeks to redeem (to make something worthwhile again) his creation.

My coming blogs will seek to tell the story of God's plan and work in redeeming creation.

I guess at the end of all this... the only question I have... Are you perpetuating evil in the world you live, or are you partnering with God to bring redemption/reconciliation?

In my best times I am a partner with God... in my worst times, I perpetuate evil. "O Lord have mercy."

Books that Have Helped me: The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian McLaren, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, The whole Bible, most specifically informed by Genesis (I encourage you to read Genesis).