Posted on 07/13/2010 11:54:36 AM PDT by T Minus Four
Early Mormon theology about the divine origin and destiny of Adam may have been an affront to contemporary Protestants, who revered such ambiguities as hallowed mysteries, but such candid new doctrine — like Adam's spirit existing before coming to earth — eventually encouraged Latter-day Saints to view Adam's roll as both a literal and figurative one.
The story of Adam and his and Eve's famed transgression have long been an important narrative for most of the world's largest religions — Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
The account had influenced art, and therefore society, long before Michelangelo painted Adam and Eve on Sistine's ceiling. Eve's traditionally perceived role as a sinful temptress has been wielded by men to sustain anti-feminist traditions and ritually justify the creation of purely sociological male hierarchies throughout much of religious and political history.
Indeed, the story is an old one — the oldest, in fact. And, just like the fate of most ancient stories, it has gradually slipped further into a sort of legendary status with each new generation who hears it. The next generation is always more scientific and practical than the last.
Although Catholics have forever maintained a strong literal interpretation of Adam and Eve, many have doubted the couple's story as a literal one, and by the 19th century it had become a progressive and popular notion to reduce the two figures to a fable graded morality lesson.
In fact by 1909, a few decades after Darwinism had shaken hairline cracks into the faith of may Christian Old Testament literalists, the New York Times headlined news that "figurative belief in the story of the Garden of Eden now satisfies Presbytery." After shedding tears of concern, ministers of the large New York church gathered and eventually voted to accept a group of freshman clergy, whom, during an interview, said Adam and Eve's story is only figurative. One of the candidates, a recent seminary graduate, also reportedly admitted to the elder clergy that he had trouble believing the literal "flesh" resurrection of Christ, too.
While the Adam and Eve story had been crumbling from history to poetry status in the hearts of much of the world for centuries, Joseph Smith came along and shocked everyone. He didn't necessarily surprise anyone by declaring its literalism; many had stated the same before. But Joseph did more, much more. He verified the story's place in our timeline by essentially revealing Adam's back story — in great detail.
What Latter-day Saint could be confused that Adam was possibly written in the bible as a theatrical analogy, a composite person, made up to explain or represent an era of human evolution, if he is also Michael the archangel? Such specificity was unknown to contemporary Christianity.
But — enter paradox! — it's through this literal understanding of Adam and Eve that early Mormons were finally able to view our original parents as clearer figurative figures, too, according to Jacob Rennaker, a Hebrew Bible student at Claremont Graduate University.
Rennaker had fellow colleague Blair Hodges read his scholarly paper at the annual Mormon Scholars Foundation Summer Seminar, hosted by the Neal A. Maxwell Institute at BYU, last week while he attended an archeological dig in Israel.
Nine other Latter-day Saint collegians from all over the United States also presented subjects on early Mormon theology, primarily from the years between 1830 to 1850.
Adam was "viewed figuratively in very unique ways that ultimately served as a means for early Mormons to understand the nature of God and the human," Rennaker said.
Rennaker focused on several specific theological teachings that brought Mormons closer to not only understanding the epic events in the Garden, but understanding themselves and their destiny.
First, Joseph taught Adam's spirit existed long before he was given a body in the Garden of Eden.
"Joseph Smith's literal interpretation of Genesis 2:7 ('God made man & put into it Adam's spirit') required an antecedent for Adam's physical existence," Rennaker said.
Suddenly, mortality wasn't the beginning anymore. Latter-day Saints could start thinking in more eternal terms, knowing their spirits existed long before residing in their mortal "tabernacle of clay."
Second, Adam was identified with specificity, as Michael, a heroic Old Testament figure who was traditionally known to go before and command God's army. Besides his patriarchal role in presiding over mortal men, Revelations makes it clear in Chapter 12 that Michael (Adam), during the "war in heaven … fought against the dragon (Lucifer)."
"As such, Adam became a hero even before his earthly sojourn," Rennaker said.
Latter-day Saints learned of their valiant past, as they were told they fought alongside Adam while the devil "prevailed not."
Third, "Adam was seen as being so significant in that pre-mortal realm, in fact, that he was described by Joseph Smith as holding a position of priesthood authority prior to his mortal existence on earth," Rennaker said.
It was also taught Adam assisted in creating the world, and thus he used priesthood power.
This correlates with Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon. It teaches premortal men were foreordained for priesthood powers/positions.
Fourth, "Adam was seen by early Mormons as having spoken a very particular language," Rennaker said, which "served to further legitimize Adam as a historical figure who was familiar with a particular theological outlook concerning the nature of God and humanity."
Fifth, the physical creation of Adam was interpreted in a hyper-literal sense.
"Genesis 1:26 records God as saying, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,'" Rennaker said. "A literal reading of this passage resulted in a radical anthropomorphism. Joseph Smith was reported as saying, 'God himself … is a man like unto one of yourselves … If you were to see him today you (would) see him a man for Adam was a man like in fashion & image like unto him.'"
Although Joseph's interpretation of the Godhead gave Latter-day Saints a clearer, more intimate view of God, it rocked both Catholic and Protestant contemporary Christians who were traditional Trinitarians.
It was all of these particular teachings, and a few more, that led Rennaker to suggest Mormons could better be figurists because they were taught to be such stalwart literalists.
"This trend of extreme scriptural literalism and historical expansion was paradoxically augmented in early Mormonism by figurative interpretations of Adam," Rennaker said. "… This extreme literalism allowed early Mormons (to experience) figurative views of Adam in a way that went beyond the figurative readings of Adam among other Christians."
e-mail: jhancock@desnews.com
Jesus is mean, stingy, small, and condemning.
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This you plan to shout from the rooftops ???
What you really think of the LORD Jesus Christ of the Christian Bible ...
Jesus is mean, stingy, small, and condemning.
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As I agreed...
Mormons are AGAINST Jesus Christ...
I am in good company with Glenn Beck.
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And neither of you are in company with the LORD Jesus Christ of the Christian bible
Proud to be associated with Glenn Beck. I saw his movie, “The Christmas Sweater” about the Atonement and just finished his book, “The Overton Window” which was great! I don’t think he would appreciate your comments about the LDS Church but it’s a free country.
When Joseph Smith saw the first vision, it was during a time in our nation’s history - and a location - where the “burned over district” had seen evangelist after evangelist, preacher after preacher, pastor after pastor, stomp through declaring that his church was the only one. Joseph Smith, age 14, was confused as to which church to join.
I imagine today there are many 14-year-old young men asking the same question. This one says “join us” and another says, “No, don’t join them, join our church.” Have you ever looked in the phone book under churches?! It’s a mine field.
I am settled thank you very much and I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It doesn’t matter to me what you think or post. Fire away.
“is repudiated by scripture “
The word “trinity” is not found in Scripture. It is a man-made concept.
Again, the word “trinity” is not found in the Bible; it is a man-made concept. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. One in purpose.
I don’t think he would appreciate your comments about the LDS Church
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I could care less what Glenn Beck appreciates...
he appreciates booze and I dont drink...
He appreciates other things that as a Christian I stay away from...
Next “fine example of American manhood” you want me to be “dazzled” by ???
Yes saundra - the bible repudiates mormon polytheism -
Isaiah 43:10,11. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD [Jehovah] and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God [Elohim] formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD [Jehovah]; and beside me there is no savior.
Isaiah 44:6,8. Thus saith the LORD [Jehovah the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God [Elohim] ... Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God [Elohim] beside me? yea, there is no God [Elohim] I know not any.
According to God - there are no other gods nor will there ever be others. Kinda puts a chill on becoming a goddess huh saundra - provided you husband calls you through the veil of course. But that is a situation you have no need to worry about - since no one will become a god anyway. But then again you are in danger of putting your faith into a false Jesus.
Sandy you reject all things that are not in the Bible ???
You claim that the Christian bible is the final authority for all things of god ???
Good, kid...
Heres a list of things that are not in the Bible...
I know you will agree that these are all blasphemy...
The foul practice of polygamy is not in the Bible...
Idol worship of the pagan Joey Smith is not in the Bible...
Multiple gods are not in the Bible...
A non-virgin Mary is not in the Bible...
Only males going to Heaven is not in the Bible...
Males becoming gods is not in the Bible...
Males ruling their own planet is not in the Bible...
A priesthood system as practiced by the mormons is not in the Bible...
Women as sex slaves in a harem is not in the Bible...
Women having babies forever is not in the Bible...
Women being called from their graves by husbands who decide the woman’s fate is not in the Bible...
Degradation of women through adultery and so called “celestial marriage” is not in the Bible...
Three levels of Heaven is not part of Christianity
Sex in Heaven is not in the Bible...
Men marrying their mother-in-law is not in the Bible...
Men marrying their daughter-in-law is not in the Bible...
Men marrying their wife’s sister is not in the Bible...
Special underwear are not in the Bible...
Special ceremony clothes are not in the Bible...
Joey Smith deciding who gets into Heaven is not in the Bible...
Joey Smith as the savior is not in the Bible...
Recognizing and worshipping the blasphemous Joey Smith is not in the Bible...
Dead dunking is not in the Bible...
The idol on top of the mormon temples is not in the Bible...
The mormon temples are not in the Bible...
Gathering in “zion” whether its in Missouri or Utah is not in the Bible...
The return of the mormon jesus to Missouri is not in the Bible...
The belief that the garden of Eden was in Missouri is not in the Bible...
People living on the sun and the moon is not in the Bible...
The belief that the mormon jesus visited Central America is not in the Bible...
Freemasonry as practiced by the mormons is not in the Bible...
Endowments are not in the Bible...
The book of mormon is not in the Bible...
The tall tales of Joey Smith are not in the Bible...
Mythical ancient civilizations in Central America are not in the Bible...
The so called “visions” and false prophecies of Joey Smith are not in the Bible...
The mormon Mary having sex with one of the mormon gods is not in the Bible...
The absence of a cross on a building is not in the Bible...
Pagan and Freemasonry symbols on a building are not in the Bible...
“Going through the temple” is not in the Bible...
The denial that Jesus is God is not in the Bible...
The denial that the Holy Ghost is God is not in the Bible...
The denial of the Trinity is not in the Bible...
The belief that the mormon god was once a man is not in the Bible...
The belief that the mormon god was a polygamist is not in the Bible...
The belief that the mormon jesus was a polygamist is not in the Bible...
The belief that monogamy...one man, one woman...is prostitution is not in the Bible...
The belief that David went to Hell forever is not in the Bible...
The belief that David will not be in Heaven is not in the Bible...
Paying tithes to be saved is not in the Bible...
Works to be saved is not in the Bible...
Being a member of the mormon corporation is not in the Bible...
The mormon jesus sweating in the Garden of Gethsemane for “atonement” is not in the Bible...
The insulting, degrading, blasphemous false religion of mormonism is not in the Bible...
I have never stopped MORMONS from practicing their own religion..
They are free to do so...
I do however state once again for the record...
Mormonism is NOT Christianity...
And mormonism is not in the Bible..
And if that’s considered “nasty” I’m in good company...
Because I’m just agreeing with the God of the Christian Bible...
Again, the word “trinity” is not found in the Bible; it is a man-made concept
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Ah Sandy no sale...
Mormonism is a man-made concept...
and the word “mormon” or mormonism” is not in the Bible
but it hasnt stopped you from worshipping joey Smith and his false religion...
a little consistancy here Kid...
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hold it right there kid...
Thats not in the Bible
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hold it right there kid...
Thats not in the Bible
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hold it right there kid...
Thats not in the Bible
Thanks Sandy, but you answered my post yesterday.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2551870/posts?page=64#64
You must have gotten confused.
I imagine today there are many 14-year-old young men asking the same question.
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No I know today there are many 14-year-old boy who are not involved heaily in the occult like Joey Smith was...
Or a lying conartist who want ed to impress his audience...
And many 14 year olds go to Church and dont disobey their mother or get in her face like the pagen rebel Joey Smith claims he did...
I think that today if Jesus appeared to a 14-year-old boy we would hear about it...
There was nobody in the Bible that kept that type of encounter to herself or himself...
Its not Biblical to not speak of God appearing to someone for several years...
Paul had the greatest experience of anyone at any time...
and he went arround telling everyone about it right away...
Paul wrote half the New and final Testament about his encounter with Jesus...
Only someone with something to hide...
like it was a lie perhaps...
or he was pulling a con...
or he wanted to impress some girl...
or get a free beer..
Now Joey ...he would say “well it happened back when I was 17 no I was 16, gosh what did I say last Tuesday 15 ? yep it were 15...I think I was 14...What ? no i said 14 yestaday...I know I was 14.. Aint that raht amazin ??? I was just 14, and unlearneded..and jest plain raht ignhant ta boot..Hows about a beer..I gotz me a powerful thirst athinkin of these things..”
Joseph Smith, age 14, was confused as to which church to join....I imagine today there are many 14-year-old young men asking the same question.
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Lots of 14 year old mormon boys want to leave mormonism but dont know what Christian Church they should go to ???
I imagine there are hundreds who want to escape ...probably thousands all ages...
Well you just tell them any for now...
Any one Christian church will be an improvement on the cult he just came out of
Ya I know. We’re kinda alike that way.
Hey, II. Nice to see you.
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