Cain & Abel

Re: Cain & Abel

Robin Gibbs 25 Jan 2009 04:54

Seems to me this is a good story about forgiveness and mercy. Cain had consequences for his sin, but he was protected by God all the same. I suppose it is also the Calvinist's proof of man's basic depravity. I'm always fascinated how people can make something into something that isn't…….Cain was black, Cain was a pacifist….good grief, he was just a narcissistic, selfish boy.

Re: Cain & Abel

tonygibbs 25 Jan 2009 18:33

I'm with Robin on how people make something out of nothing … i.e. Abel's sacrifice was accepted because it was an animal sacrifice; Cain's was rejected because it was plants. Check the law later given by Moses and notice God commanded both animal AND grain offerings from the Israelites. The story itself focuses on Cain's "countenance" or attitude.

I'm surprised the authors didn't bring up the age-old questions of "where did Cain get his wife?" and "where did all these people come from whom Cain was being protected?"

And it's Muslim's that say Abel was a pacifist?!? Is their teaching point that pacifists die, so don't be one?!?

Dad

Re: Cain & Abel

HampG 26 Jan 2009 01:35

I think it helps us learn to give God our yall. Becuase when we hold back form God he knows, and wants us to give everything to him. But so far the books topics of religion have been every good I think.

-Hamp

Re: Cain & Abel

Truestatesman 26 Jan 2009 19:36

it is neat to find out how these different groups view the same storry, i've enjoyed that about the religion readings. i thought that most modern religious racist thought that ismeal was the one who was black? it is crazy to think that people would read so deep into a story just to justify their hate. i think the story shows one of the things i've been talking alot about latly with the nature of man. i think it shows us that man (in his sinful nature) is not good, or evil but selfish. and when we see that God was pleased when Able thought about someone else before his own needs. i think this is a good story to show how important it is to be selfless. and dad i think your right that muslims would think that being a pacifist is bad, i have a copy of the qur'an and it is not a very pacifist text.

Re: Cain & Abel

dr-ambo 26 Jan 2009 19:50

I'm with Hamp on the religious readings: it's neat to see how many different interpretations one story can generate. I still think the Cain and Abel story is hard to understand, Cain's attitude isn't really discussed in the Bible as far as I can tell. And I do wonder about the mark on him that protected him.

Re: Cain & Abel

tonygibbs 26 Jan 2009 22:54

Amber, try Genesis 4:6, "Then the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed?" The KJV uses the word "countenance", others say something like "why is your face downcast?" Now I'm not a very literary person, but it sure sounds like God is discussing his attitude to me.

Granted, verse 7 seems to point to his actions, "If you do well, won't you be accepted? But if you don't do well, sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it." But God never specifically says his sacrifice wasn't accepted, therefore, I connect verse 7 to the questions God asked in verse 6 which have to do with attitude.

I think it's the same point Jesus makes in Matthew 9:13.

Dad

Re: Cain & Abel

chrisgibbs 27 Jan 2009 13:02

I also thought the religious readings have been interesting. the writer seemed to offer more info and interpretation than I ever got from reading the passage in the Bible. i thought Cain was just down because God didn't accept his offering and I never thought the passage meant he had a bad attitude. I agree with Amber on the whole thing being a little foggy in Scripture and I'd like to know what the mark was also.

Re: Cain & Abel

TylerGibbs 28 Jan 2009 07:18

I too think Hamp has a very good point. The Cain and Abel story reminds us to give our all to God always, for he knows when we act selfishly. Though, a question poses in my mind….how do we know Cain didn't make what he perceived to be a sacrifice. They both gave up fruits of their labor. How do we know that god just found the sheep to be more valuable and favored that offering over Cain's, which drove Cane to his breaking point….? Which also led to his bad attitude.2 Sorry, I think I need to take breaks between Philosophy before I "wiki" on a religious reading. I start thinking about it too much, LOL! The part in the story where God shows his grace reminds me to be more forgiving though;)
*Stephanie*