Redeeming Adam and Eve

Growing up as a Baha'i I was taught that Adam was the First Manifestation of God, the first Divine Educator to mankind. As a junior youth and a youth, I always had trouble reconciling the this view with many of the interpretations of the story of Adam and Eve in modern society.

In some Answered Questions, 'Abdu'l-Baha explores many of the metaphysical messages behind the story. And I encourage any who have the desire to decipher His profound explanation to do so. I myself spent much time over the years pondering it. It can be found here.

One morning, as I was pondering the continued cruelty with which women are treated in society today, by both men and women, I cast my mind upon this story. I thought also of the way in which 'Abdu'l-Baha would sometimes retell simple fables and stories in order to clarify any moral ambiguity. This same approach was used in creating the text, "Walking the Straight Path". I was also inspired by His example, and so wrote this.

In the garden of Eden lived the first Man, Adam, and His wife, Eve. He was a perfect emanation of the Will of God. She was created from Adam's rib and so manifested His attributes. They lived together in peace and unity, enjoying all the fruits of the garden except for the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was for God alone. Adam and Eve obeyed. They loved their Creator and loved being so close to Him.

There was a serpent, an evil whisperer, who also lived in the Garden. One day he came to Eve and whispered to her about the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. He told her that it would make her wise. “For God knows,” he said, ”that the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve had a strong desire to become Wise and Knowing and to become more like God whom she loved. This desire overcame her and she ate of the fruit. Then she shared the fruit with her husband. Adam remained loyal to Eve and in unity with her, and He ate the fruit.

When God came to garden, He saw what had happened and questioned Adam. Adam was honest and told God all that had happened. Eve was also honest and told God the truth.

And so God punished the serpent, saying that his life would have no value. “And so you shall eat dust All the days of your life.”

Then God, the Just, the All-Loving, gave Adam and Eve a punishment. He said that Eve would bear Adam children and that to do so would be painful. God commanded Eve to remain with Adam and to love Him. He commanded Adam to toil in the field all the days of His life, for His food and for His family. And later God Blessed them with children.

A just and loving parent punishes and rewards her children in order to train them. God trains mankind to be worthy of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were loyal to one another and truthful before God. They were trained together by God.