Cain

What are we to make of Cain? After all, the OT is rife with capital punishment for murder, yet Cain was shown mercy. Why?

Originally posted by whodey
What are we to make of Cain? After all, the OT is rife with capital punishment for murder, yet Cain was shown mercy. Why?

Genesis 9:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind.


The reason is God had not set up the law for capital punishment until after the flood. Then this scripture here in Genesis 9:6 came into law.

Originally posted by galveston75
Genesis 9:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind.


The reason is God had not set up the law for capital punishment until after the flood. Then this scripture here in Genesis 9:6 came into law.

Why wait until after the flood?

Originally posted by galveston75
Genesis 9:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind.


The reason is God had not set up the law for capital punishment until after the flood. Then this scripture here in Genesis 9:6 came into law.

A lot of Jews claim that noah's wife was from cains blood line. But I don't think so but it could be true because her name was written down.

Originally posted by RBHILL
A lot of Jews claim that noah's wife was from cains blood line. But I don't think so but it could be true because her name was written down.

No she wasn't as Cains line of decendands did die at the flood.

Originally posted by whodey
Why wait until after the flood?

The Bible is not clear on that but it could be the offspring of Cain were needed to help populate the earth at that early time of mans existance. But apparently none of his offspring were seen as being worthy enough to make it into the ark and survive the flood.

Originally posted by whodey
What are we to make of Cain? After all, the OT is rife with capital punishment for murder, yet Cain was shown mercy. Why?

Because Cain isn't really an individual. He represents the part of society that adopted an agricultural lifestyle. The adoption of agriculture is what issued in the concept of 'private property', which is emblematic of The Fall itself. With agriculture came civilization, the division of labor, hierarchies, social stratification, oppression, poverty and every other ill known to mankind.

Originally posted by galveston75
the offspring of Cain were needed

With whom did Cain produce offspring?

His Mother, the only female at the time? Or some unknown sister?

Originally posted by FabianFnas
With whom did Cain produce offspring?

His Mother, the only female at the time? Or some unknown sister?

The Bible says Adam & Eve had many children and taking a sister as a wife would not have been a problem as it is today as they all were very close to perfection physically.

Originally posted by rwingett
Because Cain isn't really an individual. He represents the part of society that adopted an agricultural lifestyle. The adoption of agriculture is what issued in the concept of 'private property', which is emblematic of The Fall itself. With agriculture came civilization, the division of labor, hierarchies, social stratification, oppression, poverty and every other ill known to mankind.

Who says? Men of today who were not there to say these people were not real? Right!!!

Originally posted by galveston75
Who says? Men of today who were not there to say these people were not real? Right!!!

A literal interpretation of the story flies in the face of all we know to be true. It simply cannot be believed. My interpretation meshes much more seamlessly with what we know to be true.

Originally posted by rwingett
A literal interpretation of the story flies in the face of all we know to be true. It simply cannot be believed. My interpretation meshes much more seamlessly with what we know to be true.

It's only in your perception that it's not real and all the other humans on this earth who love to hear their own opinions. Nothing else but mans thoughts and teachings....

Ephesians 4:14 (New International Version, ©2010)
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Hebrews 13:9 (New International Version, ©2010)
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Perhaps your conscience has been seared?

Originally posted by rwingett
A literal interpretation of the story flies in the face of all we know to be true. It simply cannot be believed. My interpretation meshes much more seamlessly with what we know to be true.

No it doesn't; it just doesn't appeal to you Rob. It can be believed because many people do believe it, so patently that statement is incorrect; you however cannot believe it which is fine. What we know to be true today does not depend on whether or not the reader agrees with your socialist mindset. The alternative to faith is not socialism, no matter how much red-letter you read.

Originally posted by galveston75
The Bible says Adam & Eve had many children and taking a sister as a wife would not have been a problem as it is today as they all were very close to perfection physically.

Having sex with ones sister is then alright today, according to the bible, if one's using protection from pregnancy?

Originally posted by FabianFnas
Having sex with ones sister is then alright today, according to the bible, if one's using protection from pregnancy?

Good question; what does your conscience tell you?