It All Started in the Garden

Okay, let’s start. My next few posts will explore the themes in Genesis 1 through 3, particularly those that frame the marriage question. The discussion will intertwine with theological anthropology (the nature of the relationship between humanity and God). But first, at the request of one of my readers, for the sake of context I will list some other themes that have their genesis in the Creation and Fall accounts.

The following concepts will be taught in my church class on the following schedule between now and Christmas, and the remaining topics will be covered after the first of the year.

IT ALL STARTED IN THE GARDEN
Exploring the Themes Introduced in Genesis 1 through 3

Theme 11: Humanity as Male and Female
Theme 12: Marriage as Full Partnership
Theme 13: The Free Will of Human Beings and the Sovereignty of God (Freedom within Limits)
Theme 14: What God Expects of Ordinary People in the Context of Covenant
Theme 15: The Tree of Knowledge: We Were Never Meant to Have It All
Theme 16: The Tree of Knowledge: Curiosity Killed the Cat
Theme 17: Human Suffering and the Existence of Evil
Theme 18: Paradise Lost: Why, For How Long, and How Can It Be Found

I probably won’t cover the following because there is not much biblical data past Genesis, but they’re fun to think about:

            Being Vegetarian (yes, we can go to Daniel for a continuation)
            Will My Pet Go to Heaven?

If this whole exercise has had its desired effect, my readers will generate some more ideas. If you offer a theme I end up using in my book, you’ll get a free copy—I promise!