An Essay by Joris Luypaert
“Surprisingly, Genesis might be a source for dietary advice to Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel and modern man.”
For the complete essay go to: “Joris Luypaert, DIET IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN: AN ESSAY ON GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD THOUGHT, May 15, 2019.”
In this short essay the author finds an original approach to the question regarding the nature and meaning of the foundational stories of the Garden of Eden.
In essence, we explore the case whether the Genesis story of Adam and Eve, but also that of Cain and Abel, might represent a form of dietary advice.
It even seems to have benefits in curing Cain’s murderous mood disorder and Adam’s bout of anxiety.
Surprisingly, Genesis connects with a modern dietary trend that is inching back into mainstream knowledge after having been virtually absent for almost half a century.
Additionally, were the question of guilt regarding the actions of the main characters to rise in a court of law, we discover there are good reasons to find the snake innocent while Cain might have grounds to plead extenuating circumstances.
The standard interpretation
In moralizing interpretations, the story is often seen as an etiology for the inherent sinfulness of mankind. A fall from innocence that began immediately at the dawn of its creation. In other interpretations, the fall from innocence is seen as a period of transition in the life of every individual; when we grow into adulthood and do away with childish paradisiacal beliefs, disillusioned with the nature of man and the hostile world he created for himself.
Both Adam and Eve come out badly in all moralizing interpretations:
Masochists and patriarchs see the actions of Eve as an excuse to treat all woman as deceptious beings that cannot be trusted to act rationally or morally. Feminists, in turn, feel forced to picture Eve and women in general as inquisitive beings, caretakers, braver than men, leading men, willing to venture into the world and take risks. A result is that man and woman often do not recognize each other as equal partners.
But Adam’s behavior does not escape condemnation. Rather than standing by his woman, he immediately shifts all the blame to Eve, while he too ate from the fruit. If guilt is to be spread around, both are equally guilty for not having put heed in the command of God. Adam blaming Eve is a testament to some males’ inability to take responsibility for their own actions.
Weirdly though, the snake, an animal, is usually portrayed as an evil being.
Not only is the snake vilified as an animal to detest or fear. Worse, the snake is anthropomorphized and demonized into the role of the devil in disguise, a force of darkness, immorality or ignorance and the antithesis of the good that God represents, ever trying to deceive mankind into doing wrong or trespassing the commands of God.
But is a more literal interpretation of this biblical narrative not more befitting? We will see that this train of thought leads to an entirely novel understanding. There are truths hidden that were lost, some in translation, most in interpretation. Undoing the deeds of early Judaeo-Christian scholars lifts a veil on a pearl of wisdom long lost. A fruit of sorts within reach of all who care to live longer and with vibrant energy, reclaiming the God-given powers of their natural state.
If so be it, is it not our duty to find out?
For the complete essay go to Amazon.com and search for: “Joris Luypaert, DIET IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN: AN ESSAY ON GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD THOUGHT, May 15, 2019, 32p.”
