Week 4 – Genesis 3: What Went Wrong?

By: Matt Barnes

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Introduction

Normally when we think of science and Genesis we think of cosmology, astronomy, and biology. However, the social sciences, such as sociology and psychology, can help illumine these opening chapters of the Bible as well.

When we catch up with the first human couple at the beginning of Genesis 3, everything is perfect! Their relationship with God is great, they get along with one another well, and their connection to the rest of the created order is just as it should be. However, things won’t stay this way for long.

God told them they could enjoy all of the garden except they shouldn’t eat the fruit of one particular tree. This restriction took away a tiny percentage of their freedom in the garden. But, according to reactance theory, when we perceive that our freedom is restricted by a command, we’re more likely to disobey that command in order to reassert our freedom. In other words, if we’re told not to do something, we’ll probably do it anyway!

And it appears the serpent knew this about human nature because he immediately starts poking and prodding with regard to the forbidden fruit. Eventually, the first humans give in and eat. When they do they experience shame, which social scientists define as social pain arising from dishonoring someone that is respected. In response people tend to engage in avoidance coping, such as fleeing and blaming, just like the first couple did.

In response to their sin, Adam and Eve tried to hide their shame by making some shoddy clothes out of fig leaves. As they were leaving the garden as a consequence of their disobedience, God clothed them with the skins of animals, showing them that he loved them and cared for them. God still has this same kind of love and care for us, which he has shown in his son Jesus and still shows through his Spirit!

Our job, then, is to rely on the Spirit to help us own up to our temptations, confess our sins, and respond well when we mess up. All the while, God continually extends his grace and mercy to us! Thanks be to God!

“I believe it is bad science to reject out of hand the supernatural, such as so-called 'non-scientific' events that are usually called 'miracles.'”

- Steve Cunningham, PhD.; Aerospace Scientist

Bible Questions

• How would you characterize the temptation faced by Adam and Eve, thinking especially about how the fruit of the tree is described in Genesis 3.6? How is their temptation similar and dissimilar to the temptations we typically face today?
• The people of God have always taught that God is not the author of sin. Why is this idea important? How is it supported by Genesis 3?
• Read Genesis 3.11-13. Can you relate to how Adam and Eve play the blame game instead of owning up to their part in the disobedience? How so?
• What are your thoughts about the curses in Genesis 3.14-19? Do they seem fair? Can you see evidences of these curses still around today?
• In Genesis 3.7 Adam and Eve put together fig leaves to cover their nakedness, their shame. Then in Genesis 3.21 God makes garments of skin for them to replace their leaves. Can you see hope in this? In what ways?

Reflection Questions

• Read through Genesis 3 again. What do you learn about God’s character there? Does anything you learned make you less inclined to worship him? More inclined?
• What role does Christian community play when recognizing and fighting temptation? How can we also help one another better cope when we inevitably give in to our temptations?
• If we were more open and honest about our brokenness and propensity to sin, what kind of impact would we see in our witness among those who have yet to follow Jesus?

Take Away

Take a few minutes this week to think through a temptation that commonly trips you up. What is the atmosphere like in which the temptation arises? What do you think lies behind the power of this particular temptation? How do you respond when you give in? What practical steps can you take to better handle this temptation when you face it again in the future? 

"Science played a role initially in my doubting Christianity, but is then played a role in my finding Jesus."

- Wally Rippel, Research Engineer and Electric Car Pioneer