DeepSummary
In this episode of Curiously Caitlin, hosts Caitlin Schiess and Skye Jethani are joined by biblical scholar Drew Johnson to discuss a child's question about Adam and Eve - whether they were created as babies or adults, and how they would have known about the process of childbirth and babies. Drew provides insights into how ancient Jewish rabbis grappled with this question and the implications of male and female being part of the image of God.
Drew explains that the Genesis narrative doesn't seem focused on answering logistical questions, but rather on highlighting key theological truths like God's blessing of procreation to humans and animals. He emphasizes paying attention to the structure and trajectory of the biblical text instead of getting distracted by minor details the author didn't intend to address.
The conversation also touches on our modern cultural assumptions about children's innocence, the bluntness of biblical references to sexuality, and the importance of having age-appropriate discussions. Drew encourages considering the Bible's big-picture perspective of leaving a legacy for future generations rather than just the nuclear family.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The biblical creation accounts in Genesis are more focused on conveying key theological truths than answering logistical questions.
- Readers should pay close attention to the narrative structure and progression to discern the author's intended meaning.
- Sexuality and procreation are central themes that echo throughout Scripture with great theological significance.
- The biblical perspective goes beyond the modern nuclear family to a multi-generational outlook of leaving a godly legacy.
- Cultural assumptions and filters can cause readers to miss or misinterpret the Bible's teachings on topics like sexuality and children.
- Having age-appropriate discussions is wise when talking to children about sensitive biblical subjects like sexuality.
- Jewish rabbinical interpretations provide additional perspectives to consider when studying confusing biblical texts.
- Modern readers are often not ready to engage the depth of discussion that biblical authors invite regarding topics like sexuality and procreation.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “And remarkably, as you follow Genesis into Exodus, it really is the stuff they keep you focused on, laser like in Genesis one through three, that keeps coming up again and again and again in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and beyond, even into the New Testament, I would say.“ by Drew Johnson
- “So I think paying attention to the structure of the story will help us focus on what the author wants us to pay attention to.“ by Drew Johnson
- “So they want to have that discussion. They want to have a bigger discussion than I think most of us are ready to have. And so I think it wouldn't be bad for us to take some of our cues for thinking about these things from them.“ by Drew Johnson
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Episode Information
Curiously Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn Schiess
4/23/24
Kaitlyn is joined by biblical scholar Dru Johnson this week to answer some very practical questions about Adam and Eve: were they created as babies or adults? How did they know about babies? How would Eve have even known she was pregnant? Along the way, we’ll discuss how to read confusing biblical texts, how to ask good questions of the Bible, and why Genesis is so concerned with procreation.