The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life Sample

Origins and Evil – What’s Wrong with the World?

The interesting thing about this question is that everyone’s got an answer. From taxes to terrorism, from war to reality TV shows, no one believes dysfunction is just natural. We all share a conviction that things are not supposed to be this way. But where does this instinct come from? According to Genesis, it’s a deep collective memory – we know that we belong in a different world. Eden is in our blood and we miss it. So what went wrong?

Yesterday, we considered how we are made in the image of God, called to reflect His beauty to the world around us. However, when we turn away from God the world descends into gloomy chaos. This is the story of Genesis 3. The snake in the grass, the voice of temptation, the choice between good and evil – aren’t these realities we all still face? 

It boils down to the issue of trust as the serpent deviously queries God’s motive: ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?”’ (v.1). The serpent reframes Adam and Eve’s scenario as one of restriction, stirring in them a concern that modern psychologists have dubbed the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). The ancient voice of temptation therefore sounds incredibly contemporary.

What happened next captures the way evil poisons all of life. First, they experienced estrangement from God (Genesis 3:8−9). God is now a threat to be avoided. Humanity is estranged from the original source of life, joy and beauty. Second, human relationships are fractured (Genesis 3:7). Adam and Eve felt completely comfortable together. But when they turn from God it fractures their intimacy. Suddenly they feel exposed and begin to cover up. Ever since, we humans have fought with shame and inadequacy. Third, our rule over the world has become destructive (Genesis 3:17, 19). Our work was meant to be enjoyable and fulfilling. Instead, it has become stressful and frustrating. We were supposed to extend the beauty of Eden to the rest of the planet. Instead, we have exploited and commodified nature with disastrous consequences. 

Genesis 3 is ultimately a story of humans seeking independence from God. But this is not natural. As Rowan Williams argues: ‘Negotiating what it means to be dependent is part of being human.’ In Eden, this was symbolised by the ‘tree of life’, a divine gift that provided a source of vitality based on trust. But now, access is denied.

Shut out from Eden, humans faced the prospect of death. Now the entire world feels different. Humanity is living East of Eden and can only look back with fond memories. However, though the world is marred by brokenness, there is still so much beauty. Alongside the loss, there are glimpses of hope. 

REFLECT: In what ways are we tempted to doubt God’s goodness and turn away from Him? God called: ‘Adam, where are you?’ Put your name in there. How will we respond to God’s call?