A new question about the Bible's creation story sprang into my mind as I read this today. Why did god use one of Adam's ribs to make Eve? If this god is so powerful why didn't this god just create Eve as a stand-alone creation? One possible explanation for this is that a story that says Eve was made from Adam's rib immediately, from the get-go, woman is set up to be inferior to man. In all likelihood, the bible was written by men so it is not surprising that woman was introduced as a being dependent on man.
Sorry I missed your comment earlier today, Susan. I wondered about the rib issue myself and I have two possible explanations, both of which are cynical.
Maybe God was tired after he created so many huge things like the oceans, millions of species of animals, and plants etc - so he basically took a short cut. Kind of like when people make a BD cake from a mix instead of from scratch. My second guess is in agreement with yours. A bunch of misogynistic, old men realized they'd made a mistake in letting out the first creation narrative because it put Eve on equal footing with Adam. There's no way they would want to sanction any hint at equality between women and men, especially thousands of years ago.
Also, my experience with traditional cultures is that our western feminist culture is too idealogical to actually understand the balance of power between genders in those cultures as some with our cultural perspective are ill-equipped to recognize. In fact, quite a few traditional cultures are matriarchal and there are even a few where polyandry is practiced. Women have significant influence in many cultures that isn’t so upfront as it is in the west, but often, I think those women have an edge over men. In too many parts of the world, too many men have lost their traditional roles in their societies and the result isn’t good. We are seeing similar loss of traditional roles in the West, where many young men are simply withdrawing from social traditions and institutions.
If we read the Bible with an open and discerning mind, there is so much beauty and wisdom - including that to which you've alluded. Thanks Switter for going there - and we just might be going back to these thoughts or related ones in the not-too-distant future.
Hi Mark, your post illustrates the utter incoherence of modern fundamentalism. In practice those who claim the Bible is “inerrant” are only interested in proof texts to “prove” their opinions are those of God. There is much truth and beauty in the creation stories viewed rightly, as creative attempts to illustrate eternal truths, e.g. before the “original sin” there was the original blessing of creation itself.
All of what you say rings true, but especially your reference to "proof text." I think you and I would agree that the Bible holds significant value but its reading demands insight, otherwise it becomes more of a tool. Think baton to beat people into submission.
Just received a proof text email from my barber. He’s from Lebanon, a Moslem, and we have good chats while he clips. Genesis 19:5 “proves” all homosexuals should die. My response: if that is true then *all* demands by God in the Bible for the death of offenders are true. That includes not only adulterers but also sons who talk back dto their parents (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). I sent him a clip of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). I asked him which God describes “Allah the All Merciful.” I’ll let you know how he answers.
A new question about the Bible's creation story sprang into my mind as I read this today. Why did god use one of Adam's ribs to make Eve? If this god is so powerful why didn't this god just create Eve as a stand-alone creation? One possible explanation for this is that a story that says Eve was made from Adam's rib immediately, from the get-go, woman is set up to be inferior to man. In all likelihood, the bible was written by men so it is not surprising that woman was introduced as a being dependent on man.
Sorry I missed your comment earlier today, Susan. I wondered about the rib issue myself and I have two possible explanations, both of which are cynical.
Maybe God was tired after he created so many huge things like the oceans, millions of species of animals, and plants etc - so he basically took a short cut. Kind of like when people make a BD cake from a mix instead of from scratch. My second guess is in agreement with yours. A bunch of misogynistic, old men realized they'd made a mistake in letting out the first creation narrative because it put Eve on equal footing with Adam. There's no way they would want to sanction any hint at equality between women and men, especially thousands of years ago.
Thank you for your thoughts -
Or it is a lovely metaphor how men and women can cherish one another and share a lifetime with a person they can each depend upon implicitly.
Also, my experience with traditional cultures is that our western feminist culture is too idealogical to actually understand the balance of power between genders in those cultures as some with our cultural perspective are ill-equipped to recognize. In fact, quite a few traditional cultures are matriarchal and there are even a few where polyandry is practiced. Women have significant influence in many cultures that isn’t so upfront as it is in the west, but often, I think those women have an edge over men. In too many parts of the world, too many men have lost their traditional roles in their societies and the result isn’t good. We are seeing similar loss of traditional roles in the West, where many young men are simply withdrawing from social traditions and institutions.
If we read the Bible with an open and discerning mind, there is so much beauty and wisdom - including that to which you've alluded. Thanks Switter for going there - and we just might be going back to these thoughts or related ones in the not-too-distant future.
Hi Mark, your post illustrates the utter incoherence of modern fundamentalism. In practice those who claim the Bible is “inerrant” are only interested in proof texts to “prove” their opinions are those of God. There is much truth and beauty in the creation stories viewed rightly, as creative attempts to illustrate eternal truths, e.g. before the “original sin” there was the original blessing of creation itself.
All of what you say rings true, but especially your reference to "proof text." I think you and I would agree that the Bible holds significant value but its reading demands insight, otherwise it becomes more of a tool. Think baton to beat people into submission.
Thanks, Steve.
Just received a proof text email from my barber. He’s from Lebanon, a Moslem, and we have good chats while he clips. Genesis 19:5 “proves” all homosexuals should die. My response: if that is true then *all* demands by God in the Bible for the death of offenders are true. That includes not only adulterers but also sons who talk back dto their parents (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). I sent him a clip of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). I asked him which God describes “Allah the All Merciful.” I’ll let you know how he answers.