The fall of human

The Fall of Human Genesis 6: 1-13

Rev.Sajesh Mathews

Enoch for Jewish People is a sage, scribe, scientist and a visionary who even intercedes for fallen angels. Enochic Literature is considered as one of the Apocalyptic Literature which explains the visions and imageries. In the Book of the Watchers, an Enochic apocalypse from the third century BCE, the "sons of God" of Gen 6:1-4 are accused of corrupting humankind through their teachings of metalworking, cosmetology, magic, and divination. Annette Yoshiko Reed has done a research on the 'book of watchers' which explains the fall of angels in relation with Human beings. She published a book titled "Fallen Angels and History of Judaism and Christianity". The first part of the text (Genesis 6:1-7) has a mythical root. This segment is the brief version of an apocalyptic literature, which is from J source. Genesis chapter 4 and 5 convey the histories of long period. Chapter 6: 1-7 is a called as a sandwiched text which is text in between Enoch and Noah. The crux of the text is the fall of Human and God's intervention in the human fall.

1. God’s pain on Human Fall

"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose" (Genesis 6: 1-2). The text begins with this controversial note. These verses are always neglected from interpreting because of the reason that it sounds like God has sons. There are so many mythical stores that describe the physical relationship between angels (heavenly beings)and human beings. Contemporary readings of the bible and biblical scholars counter the argument of its mythical root and introduce the key references and evidences of who were called as sons of God.

There are three prominent and popular views regarding the mythical reference of

Sons of God and daughters of human.
a. Cosmologically mixed races view. it refers the relationship between Angels or heavenly beings and Human.
b. Religiously mixed races view. it refers to Godly Sethites and Worldly Cainites.
c. Religiously mixed races view. it refers to male aristocrats and beautiful female commoners (Genesis 6:4)
Among the popular views, the dominant and logical view is that the Sons of God are descendants of Seth and daughters of human are the descendants of Cain. Genesis chapter 4-5 provide the hint of this arguments that it is not about sons of God or any other semi-divine beings. It is about two categories of descendants from Cainites and Sethites. Cainites were selfish, earthly and wicked. Sethites had all kinds of good qualities. They lived with the image of God and kept a devotion, Holiness and consecration. In Genesis 4: 26 gives the reference that it was from the Seth period people turned to God. "Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26).
God’s pain has increased because Sethites and Cainites had intermarriages (verses 1&2) which were not the divine plan. It resulted a generation of wicked people. Nephilim was one among the those fallen people who lost the image of God. Therefore it is not about the sons of God and daughters of Human which is referred in verse 1 and 2 but it is the Sethites and Cainites. It is here God becomes painful. The chosen text shares God's pain on human wickedness. Verse 6 shows that God regretted that he made human on Earth. God is painful by seeing the atrocities and wickedness of human beings. In nutshell the text focuses on the fall of human and the text explicitly refer the sin that the people committed. The fall of human is covered and justified these days. We need soothing gospel that satisfies our desires. Churches often forget to preach about Sin and judgment. We need to understand how God is painful by our sinful behavior.

2. God's redemptive act in response to Human fall

Noah was chosen to be saved because God found favor with him.Enoch also walked with the lord so God took him without even facing death. why were they saved? It was because of their life that made them to be saved. it was a criticism that the dominant churches from the history began to sell forgiveness of sin. if sinners are not there then the religious people will have no work. Sin is preserved and judgment is taught because people will become fearful to the church and they will be active participants. Confession is also not the license to commit sin. God is always against sin not the sinners. Does God love sin or sinners? Jesus ate with sinners but preached against the sinful nature.Therefore nobody can justify the mistakes or Sin. We blame on genes, heredity, environment, circumstances and all our prejudices. We do even blame by saying that it is the original sin that made us to commit sin or it is the evil that is very powerful who is making us to be sinners. Jerriton Brewin has written a book titled, "God in the teeth of Suffering" which initiate a discussion whether evil is a creation of God and evil is powerful. The book also shares the mythology of fallen angel who became the evil/ satan. The book addresses the question whether evil is powerful.Ifevil is powerful how God is omnipotent. Jerriton says whether evil exists or powerful or not, God exists in the midst of human suffering. Hence we cannot justify that it is the work of the evil. Remember sin is always Sin. Sin cannot be justified. But sinners will have a hope if they confess. The life of David is the best example.it shows how God forgives and is faithful to those confess their sin The text also locates in the dualism of Body and spirit. It is the influence of Semitic religions and Greek cultures which taught that the body is sinful. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal ; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6: 3). For Jewish community the spirit and body are two different realities. Body and spirit cannot be separated. We share the image of God and we breath the breathe of God. There is an indwelling spirit in the body. Genesis 3 portrays how the Adam and eve had a fall by disobeying. In chapter 3:6 we read that when the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. The similar act is repeated in the second fall that is referred in chapter 6. When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose" (Genesis 6: 1-2). Taking wives means misusing (Genesis 12:15, 2 Samuel 11:2-14). People who lived there failed in their marital life and relationships. Genesis 6: 11 and 12 talk about how human have become corrupt and wicked. We are not the silent spectators of all wickedness. We are called to address our own failure and the wickedness, and fight against the violence and atrocities we witness in the world. Crucifixion of Jesus was his final victory over all powers of darkness and wickedness. Jesus made salvation available for all those who receive forgiveness. Cross is like Noah ark, a saving boat for the humanity to come back from the wicked nature. Noah and Enoch showed an exemplary way to be changed and transformed.

Discipleship

                                                                                                                                

UNFAITHFUL DISCIPLESHIP (Mark: 14:26-31)

“ But Peter insisted emphatically,’ even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you’. And all others said the same” (v.31)

There is a difference between believer and disciple. Anyone can become a believer. One who loots money may be a believer. One who makes black money and does all evil may also be a believer. But they may not be genuine believers. It’s easy to be a believer but it’s always tough to be a disciple because a disciple is the one who follows Jesus Christ and taking up the cross.

Unfulfilling promise of disciples…(v.50, 71)

Bible never covers or hides the truth. When we write history we may forget or even avoid the realities of our glorified personalities.  Scripture stands its position differently. Every side of characters are explicitly portrayed in the Bible. Peter is one among of those examples whose character before and after the resurrection of Jesus Christ is described clearly in the biblical accounts.  

After observing the Passover Supper, Jesus and the disciples left the upper room singing a hymn. Matthew tells us, "After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Matthew 26:30) Jesus foretells the denial of his disciples here and reminds the disciples about his death. He used the shepherd-sheep imagery saying that shepherd will be killed and all the sheep will be scattered (v.27). It is here Peter gives promise that he will never leave him. Jesus was in agony and at the point of death when Peter expressed that he would never deny him.  It was not just peter who claimed but all the disciples claimed that they would never leave Jesus (v.31).  The reality is Peter denied him, Judas betrayed him and all other disciples ran away while Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death (v.50 and 71).

Unconditional Love of Christ..(v.24, 25)

We understand that Passion narratives testify the unconditional love of Christ for all the disciples. The text needs to be meditated with our sacramental life since the selected periscope is after the institution of Holy Communion. The fellowship of Jesus is always offered for all those who deny and betray him. The love for Jesus has to be above all other loves and relationships. According to Bonhoeffer, “the basis of discipleship is intimacy with Christ”. Carrying the cross is to deny selfish attitudes and be willing to accept insults for the Lord.

 “How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4

Prayer: Help us Lord to affirm our faith in every sorts of our life. Amen

Mark 16: 9-20

Resurrection of Jesus: Hope to Witnessing

“If you really love me, then prove it”.  Cross is the symbol of Jesus’ unconditional love. It reminds us the Christ event that he loved the entire creation and died on the cross for the redemption of humanity. There are so many martyrs in the history. But Jesus has a distinctive role in history because he is the savior of the whole world. Resurrection of Jesus places its unique importance here that he is the living God who is different from martyrs who died for a cause. Resurrection of Jesus is the foundational faith of Christianity. We remember the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection of Christ whenever we participate Holy Communion.    

From confusion to Joy of Resurrection (v.14)

The selected text is a significant text in the Post-resurrection narratives where Jesus appears to Mary the Magdalene and disciples. We see three appearances here.  In the first appearance Jesus appeared to Mary (v.9) and Secondly Jesus appeared in a different manner to two disciples while they were on their way to the country (v. 12). Finally Jesus appeared to the eleven disciple as they were eating (V. 14). Though each appearance is different from one to another, the appearances were to restore the disciples from fear, anxiety and confusion. It was to strengthen the faith of the disciples.

The resurrection appearances end with a command to spread the gospel. The risen lord raises few demands. In verse 16, he says that whoever believes in him and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will condemned. The mission of Jesus was not entrusted to disciples only but for all those who believed. For the believers there were other privileges and responsibilities.  Jesus says believers will be given power to perform miracles and drive out demons demon in his name. Mission is extended to laity from the apostles. Everyone has a purpose to fulfil. We cannot outsource or delegate our responsibility. We are called to witness the risen Lord who remove our sins and take away all our pain and give us hope in the midst of crisis.

Dear Lord, help us to celebrate the resurrection and continue your mission. Amen.