Thursday, February 06, 2014

Adam and Eve and a forensic analysis of the original sin.

It's more complicated than over eating.


Monsignor Pope has an enlightening essay on the stages of sin.

I found this section especially significant, keeping in mind some of the arguments on sexuality and gender theory I've encountered online these past few weeks:
Cunning and subtle, Satan uses intellectual arguments to appeal to aspects of what would later come to be called pride and sensuality. He also seeks to undermine her trust in God’s goodness.
He begins his temptation by attempting to make God seem unreasonable, suggesting that God had forbidden them to eat from any of the trees in the garden. Eve easily deals with this temptation and dismisses it, correctly stating that it is only one tree that has been proscribed. Of course this is a common tactic of Satan even to our own day; namely, that God is unreasonable, that He demands too many things, forbids too many things, etc. This accusation of course, wholly ignores that God has given incredible liberty to the human person,  who, unlike any other creature except the Angels, is able to say “no” to God.
Satan’s second attack is more successful. He declares that God is not telling them the truth. In effect he says that God who has given them everything, is holding something very important back. In effect Satan argues that God is restraining them from being the gods they deserve to be. In pointing to the fruit of this tree, Satan says,  in effect, “Why do you let anyone have power over you? Why do you let anyone tell you what to do? Why do you not instead say, “I will do what I want to do, and I will decide whether it is right or wrong!” Satan temps to an incredible pride, “You will be gods!” - Monsignor Pope
Thank you Monsignor Pope.

1 comment:

  1. Yea, but this is the same old, same old. Don't use logic or intelligence...as its SATAN telling you that. So odd...we talk about free will and developing a conscience but only within very strict boundries...and if you question them...its SATAN!

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