A narrative analysis of humans, animals, and sin in Genesis 1-4
Master thesis
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https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3072033Utgivelsesdato
2023Metadata
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Sammendrag
In this thesis, I use characterization to examine the relationship, interaction, and development between humans, animals, and sin in Genesis 1-4. God established order and unity in Genesis 1, and humans were created as the dominant species to rule over animals (Gen. 1:26-28). I propose that the narratives in Gen. 3:1-24 and 4:1-16 are sequenced with the repeated motif of human-animal interaction. In Genesis 3, humans failed to obey God’s voice and rule the serpent; instead, the serpent ruled them. In Genesis 4:7, sin is portrayed as an animal that wants to rule Cain. In both narratives, humans give in to the animal’s rule, which results in disorder and broken relationships. In conclusion, I propose that the narrative presents sin as an animal in order to show how humans were created to rule over sin and not be ruled by it.