Chalke Talk 43: Can we really believe the story of Adam and Eve?

What if the Genesis story isn’t about sin, wrath, guilt, and shame, but actually a testament to God's unwillingness to abandon his creation?

This is exactly Steve’s point in this episode of Chalke Talk. Jesus said, “Love God. Love others. Love yourself.” That's a core truth to remember when interpreting any biblical text. In line with this, Steve explains that “Satan” and “Sin” do not appear in the original Genesis text, but are actually developed later in Hebrew thought, and then expounded on by Augustine and Calvin. The Genesis story, Steve argues, is ultimately a myth, or “a kind of profound fable rather than a historical narrative. But a myth which is packed with wisdom.” This wisdom is not necessarily that we are all condemned because of Adam and Eve’s actions, but instead a hallmark of God’s grace as we grow into maturity. As innocence is lost, God’s love still remains. Steve concludes: “the moral freedom of being human, our knowledge of right and wrong, is a daily challenge but also an opportunity.”

So what do you think? If this way of understanding the central myth of the Garden of Eden is true, what difference does it make to the way we see ourselves? And how should it impact the Church’s attitude those beyond its doors?