Abel In the biblical book of Genesis (4: 2-16), Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve who was killed by his brother Cain.
Cain’s motives were most likely jealousy and anger.
Abel was a shepherd and Cain a farmer. Cain and Abel had made sacrificial offerings to God but only Abel’s was acceptable to the Lord. After Cain murdered Abel the Lord cast him out of the land, placing a special mark on his forehead.
This mark protects Cain from those who might harm him out of resentment for murdering Abel.
Cain goes on to establish a city. He becomes materially prosperous but is forever alienated from God.
It seems, broadly speaking, that Cain represents the abrasive, worldly-minded person while Abel symbolizes the gentle, spiritually-minded person.
Although God punishes the murderer, Cain, with a life of alienation, he does not utterly destroy him and indeed allows him to prosper materially. Some see this as a sign of God’s inherent injustice, others, as evidence of God’s great mercy.
Since Cain and Abel are the only two children of Adam and Eve, many believe the Bible does not explain how other people came into existence.
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Christianity is just a myth, but it’s a damn powerful, profitable myth. Anyway, I just wanted to remind you that in the Biblical tradition, Adam and Eve supposedly had another son, I think his name was Seth.
I totally agree with you, but I had to mention that.
Comment by kip — May 14, 2008 @ 1:14 pm |
Thanks for your comments.
One could say that your statement, “Christianity is just a myth” is also just a myth!
Comment by Earthpages.ca — May 15, 2008 @ 8:53 am |