Genesis 4: 13-16
After Cain was banished from the garden of Eden/his home and family for killing his brother Abel, he chided God, arguing his punishment was too severe. The crime did not meet the punishment. Really? Killing your brother or another human being for that matter does not warrant ostracism and expulsion? My goodness, what would those who support the death penalty think of this? It seems to me, rather than take Cain's life for the life of Abel, God offers a lesser sentence (mercy, grace even) - one equivalent to say, "life without the possibility of parole." And even with this Cain thinks the punishment is too severe! Okay, so God apparently agrees on some level with Cain and to ensure no one harms him, God places that infamous mark on him so no one who meets Cain will kill him. I'm sorry, did I miss something? Are there other people out there besides Adam, Eve and Cain? Whew! This is a good ending place.
Questions: What is the significance of the exchange between Cain and God? Does it/should it have any weight today regarding capital punishment?
And what of this mark? Is this the infamous mark that many of our forefathers and foremothers have suggested is one of the theological arguments used to establish and justify chattel slavery?
"Caller you say what?"
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
After Cain was banished from the garden of Eden/his home and family for killing his brother Abel, he chided God, arguing his punishment was too severe. The crime did not meet the punishment. Really? Killing your brother or another human being for that matter does not warrant ostracism and expulsion? My goodness, what would those who support the death penalty think of this? It seems to me, rather than take Cain's life for the life of Abel, God offers a lesser sentence (mercy, grace even) - one equivalent to say, "life without the possibility of parole." And even with this Cain thinks the punishment is too severe! Okay, so God apparently agrees on some level with Cain and to ensure no one harms him, God places that infamous mark on him so no one who meets Cain will kill him. I'm sorry, did I miss something? Are there other people out there besides Adam, Eve and Cain? Whew! This is a good ending place.
Questions: What is the significance of the exchange between Cain and God? Does it/should it have any weight today regarding capital punishment?
And what of this mark? Is this the infamous mark that many of our forefathers and foremothers have suggested is one of the theological arguments used to establish and justify chattel slavery?
"Caller you say what?"
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
Africans, their descendents,and even the African diaspora have always been the victims of violence it is common place for us tobe killed. Surely the Mark that GOd gave Cain to protect him from being killed bears no resemblance to the beautiful brown mark that completley covers the skin of me and my kin.
ReplyDeleteBecause we have never been spared
The significance of the exchange is to understand why God gave mercy to Cain. Wouldn't you have to be in God's shoes to understand where God is coming from? Did God giving Cain mercy help him become a better person? Would mercy in today's society make criminals better people? Isn't that what the penial system is suppose to provide, rehabilitation and better citizen's for our country? Hmmmmm.... I need some interactive communication from my blog sisters and brothers on this one. HELP!!!
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