The Tree of Knowledge

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.”

- Genesis 2:17 (NKJV)

This week I watched on the PBS News Hour a report stating that since 2007, there has been a significant drop-off by Americans of all races and ages that identify with a religion.  The drop off in religious affiliation was greatest amongst Millennials.   The News Hour also reported that this trend pertained to all developed nations including Europeans.

When Adam and Eve ate the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, it symbolized the initiation of human individuality and self-will.  Adam and Eve saw their nakedness and were no longer "clothed in God's Glory."  They could no longer experience through wordless thought and spirituality the presence and oneness with the eternal God.   The purpose of many religions including Christianity is to once again experience oneness and eternity by reconnecting with God.

Western scientific thought has brought us many gifts of discovery, but it also has focused on measuring phenomenon with technology while not acknowledging that the more we know, what we do not know is greater.  God has a reason for this paradox; not knowing requires us to have faith.  Faith promotes imagination, possibilities, and hope.   God knew humans would eat from the Tree of Knowledge, but knew that we would need reconciliation with him to once again experience the oneness and eternal.