[applemac_g4]

Interesting reading, however:

1. I have to disagree with your spiritualization of Eden and the implication that Adam was first created as a spiritual being and then assigned to a hominid body. Nothing in Genesis backs up this sort of an interpretation as all the descriptions of Eden (from the location on down) related to earthly landmarks. Also, the close association of dust with the creation of man, and the rib with the creation of woman indicates that we were not pre-existent creatures. The interpretation of Genesis you give sounds almost Mormon in its bent.

2. I have to disagree with the value you place on Enoch. Granted, the book may have had some statements within it that are true. That does not mean that it is a divine work, and if we put ourselves in a position where we sit in judgement of a book deciding what statements are divine and what statements aren't, we are sitting on a throne best left vacant for occupancy by the Almighty. That the Book of Mormon shares many statements with the Holy Bible thanks to Joseph Smith's plagarization of the latter work in no way elevates in importance the former. Finally, one common term "elect one" between holy writ and Enoch is inconsequential - even by standards of all but the most disbelieving of textual critics.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing your views!

FWIW, I place Eden in the spiritual realm because of the location attributed to the tree of life as follows:

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil - Genesis 2:9

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. - Revelation 2:7