Four Functions Of Myths In Genesis Essay

, Research Paper

The sin stories in the Book of Genesis address theological, cosmic, social, and ethical questions. These sin stories, The Fall of Man, Cain and Abel, and Noah and the Flood, and The Tower of Babel show the functions of myths and demonstrate man’s likeliness to sin. These myths let the readers learn of the culture, beliefs, and foundation of the time.

A myth is a symbolic way of expressing truths and beliefs that are accepted by society. Myths, which are reading literature that is imaginative, teach truths that may not always have a basis for historical fact. Myths, which communicate ideas in story form, are creative stories that explain and teach religious truths of sin and consequence. Myths tell what society should be like and are what people learned by experience. They were written in Genesis around 1000 B.C.E. and help tell the sin stories.

The functions of myths can be applied to the sin stories within Genesis. The four functions are theological, cosmic, social, and ethical. The theological function of myths expresses known facts about God and his relationship to humanity. The cosmic function explains about how the world works and its purpose. It portrays the idea God created the perfect place. The social function of myths demonstrates the truth that problems start when people turned away from God. It tell the readers the organization and leaders of societies. The ethical function explains the values we should have and the proper behavior for humanity. Sin, which is turning away from God, is exemplified in the stories of Genesis. Our conscience, an inner sense of right and wrong, helps us decide what we want. Our conscience helps us to consider the consequences of our sins. Feelings of fear, desire, and temptation are emotions that lead us to sinning. In the sin stories in Genesis, it shows we can be influenced by others to sin. An example of this is Adam and Eve. Because of their sin, all of humanity would be born with original sin. The four functions in myths help us understand the sin stories in Genesis.

The Fall of Man utilizes the social function of a myth. In this story, the social function of the myth tells how society should be organized and who should have control. God said Adam and Eve could not eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge in the middle of the Garden of Eden. The serpent tempted Eve and she ate from the forbidden tree. Adam then committed the same sin. By sinning, their eyes were opened to the world of sin and evil. They now could feel guilt and shame. Through disobedience to God, Adam and Eve gained an awareness of good and evil. An example of this can be seen when they first realize they are naked after they have eaten from the forbidden tree. In Gn. 3:16, Yahweh says, “He (the husband) shall be your master. “ This quote in Genesis demonstrates that a man had complete control over his wife in a marriage which was the standard in ancient times. A misconception people saw was that this was not God’s divine plan forever. Women being controlled by men was the consequence of sin. Other punishments were Adam had to work for a living and Eve experienced pain in childbirth. This myth could also explain why we wear clothes. This story demonstrates the idea that in inequality between men and women is sinful.

Cain and Abel represent the ethical function in myths. God tells us what values we should hold and how humans should behave. By murdering, Cain violates God’s will. This is not behavior God wants us to portray. God wants us to offer all we have him, which is what Abel did. Abel offered the very best of his flock, but Cain did not do this and offered only some of his crops. Cain wanted a praise that was greater than what God had given Abel. Cain was jealous of Abel because God chose Abel over him. By being envious, Cain was committing sin. Sin is the opposite of how God wants humans to act. Cain sins again by lying to God about not knowing where Abel might be after he had killed him. God punishes Cain for his sin and he was driven from the community. By not obeying God, we are misbehaving. God wants us to hold values which He would approve of. God banishes Cain to be a wanderer on the earth. Cain fears he will be harmed by other humans so he is given a mark. This myth also conveys another important fact. It shows the origin of nomads, which are wandering people, and established people. The mark gives a distinction between him and other people. Because Cain did not obey God and went against him, he could no longer work the land and was punished to wander the earth. “You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.” (Gn 4: 12) This was Cain’s punishment for not behaving as God would like him. Nomads of the Eastern deserts at the time often used tattooing as a tribal mark. Later, Cain settled in the city of Nod with his wife. Nod meant “the land of the nomads”. From there, he founded the first city, Enoch. The founding of this city showed the origin of established people. The Cain and Abel myth explains the origin of established people and nomadic people.

Noah and the Flood portrays the theological function of myths. In the theological function of a myth, it tells what God is like and how he relates to us. God had become displeased with man because he had become sinful and corrupt and wanted to start over. God was upset with the actions of people on earth. God felt that man had become so evil that