The tree of knowledge of good/evil

Abstract

Sermon given on Dedication Sunday (for CPU personnel) at the University Church, on September 6, 1992.

Not long ago, to speak about and for the environment was still a fashion, a fad. Meanwhile, we have information and experience enough to convince politicians, educators, scientists and ourselves that the unabated destruction of the eco-system through pollution of the environment, would mean also the gradual destruction of human lives. Hence, to pledge and covenant with Mother Earth, to help make it a secure, still habitable and hospitable home for the present and future generations, is no longer a fashion-idea. It is, rather, a commitment to earthly human survival and a covenant towards the well-being of humankind.

Our text in the second chapter of Genesis, represents a statement o f a primeval creative act of God: the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the human beings (male and female) themselves. Those of us, who have formal training in theology and the Bible, know that theoretically, there are two versions/ variants of the Creation Story. We do not need to know the details of this theory. However, you will know or discover some differences when you read Genesis 1 and compare it with Genesis 2.