I know that from personal experience having grown up in a household with both an older and a younger brother. I for one can say, that it is not easy living in the shadow of an older brother. And nowhere is this choice more evident and lurking at the door than in the human family. In the Jewish tradition, sin is less of a human trait that is passed on from generation to generation, than a choice to sin or not to sin. In fact, the very first time that the word sin occurs in Bible is here. But sin, like a wild animal, is clearly lurking in the story of Cain and Abel. After all, the story of eating the forbidden fruit never mentions the word sin, nor is there any contrition for their action. Jewish scholars, however, are far less concerned about their choice than the choice and violence of Cain and Abel. Adam and Eve had a choice, to sin or not to sin, and according to Christian tradition, it was their act of rebellion that caused the whole human race to fall from GodвЂ™s grace and necessitated the need for GodвЂ™s salvation. They must be Russian.вЂќД¬hristian theologians refer to that time of Adam and EveвЂ™s frolicking innocence as вЂњthe lost paradiseвЂќ before the вЂњThe Fall of ManвЂќ when they disobeyed GodвЂ™s only command that they not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They have only an apple to eat, and believe they are living in paradise. Clearly, they must be French.вЂќ The Russian emphatically cried, вЂњNyet! They are clearly Communist comrades. They must be British.вЂќ The Frenchman disagreed, вЂњNon, non, non. The Englishman mused, вЂњLook at their reserve, their calm.

This morning we will continue our meditation on the Book of Genesis with a sermon I have titled, вЂњTo Sin or Not to Sin? That is the question.вЂќДЄn Englishman, a Frenchman and a Russian were viewing a painting of Adam and Eve frolicking in the Garden of Eden. Dear Friends in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Cain and abel sermon