The Heart: The Next Face of Evil
My next foray into the fivefold paradigm of evil takes me to the heart—the seat of emotion, longing, and connection.
My first question: Is this heart represented in the Garden story? And if so, was it infected? Was it ruined by the chaos?
Here's a quick review the Genesis story, with this in mind.
In the beginning, God created a beautiful garden called Eden, full of lush trees, sparkling rivers, and every kind of creature. In this paradise, He placed the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and gave them everything they needed.
God told them they could eat from any tree in the garden—except one: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. “If you eat from that tree,” God warned, “you will surely die.”
Eve lived in peace, surrounded by beauty. But one day, a serpent, more cunning than any of the wild animals, approached her.
“Did God really say you must not eat from any tree?” the serpent asked. Eve replied, “We may eat fruit from the trees, but not from the one in the middle of the garden. If we do, we will die.”
The serpent whispered, “You will not surely die. God knows that when you eat it, your eyes will be opened—you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Eve looked at the fruit. It was beautiful. It seemed delicious. And the idea of gaining wisdom—of becoming like God—was tempting.
So she reached out, took the fruit, and ate it.
Then she handed it to Adam, who was with her, and he ate it too.
Suddenly, something changed.
Their eyes were opened—and they realized they were naked. Shame crept into their hearts for the first time. Their innocence was gone.
In their embarrassment, they found fig leaves, stitched them together, and made coverings.
Ahh - there it is. The chaos in human relationships: it's the first breakdown between man and woman, and it's ongoing.
The line between reason and madness, grows thinner with each unhealed wound. - Rosa Parks
My first question: Is this heart represented in the Garden story? And if so, was it infected? Was it ruined by the chaos?
Here's a quick review the Genesis story, with this in mind.
In the beginning, God created a beautiful garden called Eden, full of lush trees, sparkling rivers, and every kind of creature. In this paradise, He placed the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and gave them everything they needed.
God told them they could eat from any tree in the garden—except one: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. “If you eat from that tree,” God warned, “you will surely die.”
Eve lived in peace, surrounded by beauty. But one day, a serpent, more cunning than any of the wild animals, approached her.
“Did God really say you must not eat from any tree?” the serpent asked. Eve replied, “We may eat fruit from the trees, but not from the one in the middle of the garden. If we do, we will die.”
The serpent whispered, “You will not surely die. God knows that when you eat it, your eyes will be opened—you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Eve looked at the fruit. It was beautiful. It seemed delicious. And the idea of gaining wisdom—of becoming like God—was tempting.
So she reached out, took the fruit, and ate it.
Then she handed it to Adam, who was with her, and he ate it too.
Suddenly, something changed.
Their eyes were opened—and they realized they were naked. Shame crept into their hearts for the first time. Their innocence was gone.
In their embarrassment, they found fig leaves, stitched them together, and made coverings.
Ahh - there it is. The chaos in human relationships: it's the first breakdown between man and woman, and it's ongoing.
The line between reason and madness, grows thinner with each unhealed wound. - Rosa Parks
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