The Genesis of Good and Evil: The Fall(out) and Original Sin in the Bible

200 Pages·2019·1.157 MB·English

by  Mark S. Smith

“Genesis 3 is one of the most widely known stories in human history. At
the same time, the tale seems buried beneath its huge reception history.
Mark Smith masterfully analyzes both the biblical story and its reception
history, uncovering the significance of Genesis 3 beyond its traditional
interpretation and also reconstructing the logic of its later receptions.”
—Konrad Schmid, Professor of Hebrew Bible
and Ancient Judaism, University of Zurich
“Mark Smith’s The Genesis of Good and Evil explodes traditional assump-
tions that the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 is all about the Christian
doctrine of ‘original sin.’ In its place, Smith offers a far richer and more
compelling theological alternative by reading the combined chapters of
Genesis 3, Genesis 4, and Genesis 6 as an exploration of human desire,
goodness, sin, and evil. Taken together, these chapters deliver a far more
complex, textured portrait of the human condition (for good and for
evil). Smith also expertly guides the reader through a fascinating interre-
ligious history of the doctrine of human sin (Christian, Jewish, Islamic)
with profound implications for how we understand ourselves as humans
in today’s world. Highly recommended!”
—Dennis T. Olson, Charles T. Haley
Professor of Old Testament Theology,
Princeton Theological Seminary
“Mark Smith’s latest book is an effort ‘to come to grips with Christian
claims about the Fall and original sin in Genesis 3.’ He then sets off,
in his inimitable way, to explore seven questions that lead him not only
back to Genesis 2, and then forward to Genesis 4 and 6, but also beyond:
to Augustine, Calvin, the Catholic Catechism, and seemingly every per-
tinent nook and cranny in the ancient Near East. Spoiler alert: Smith
disagrees with a large swath of Christian tradition, finding not a fall in
Genesis 3 but a fallout that comes about thereafter, though also remark-
able possibilities for human goodness despite our ‘Adam-ness’ and ‘Eve-
ness.’ Smith’s goal is to find out what Genesis 3 ‘really says’—which is a
hackneyed and usually dubious claim, but not in the case of Smith, whose
erudition will educate even the most serious scholar while his fluid prose
remains intended for ‘anyone intrigued by what happened in the Gar-
den of Eden.’ Smith ends his study in praise of theological mystery and
human curiosity; there is equally also a great deal to praise in this book
and in Smith’s work among us.”
—Brent A. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament,
Emory University
“Mark Smith’s The Genesis of Good and Evil is a tour de force by one of the
best biblical scholars of this generation. He gives a fresh, original, and
compelling reading of the story about the origins of good and evil. At
the same time, he draws broadly on the long and rich tapestry of Jewish
and Christian traditions in weaving his own vision of this central story of
‘original sin’ and ‘the Fall.’”
—William M. Schniedewind Professor of Biblical
Studies and Northwest Semitic Languages,
University of California, Los Angeles
“Smith cuts through the miasma of the history of interpretation of Gen-
esis 3 and ‘the Fall’ with his characteristically incisive clarity. As readers
hear this classic text speak afresh, they will rethink their deepest assump-
tions about the human condition and God’s will for us.”
—Jacqueline E. Lapsley, Dean and Vice President
for Academic Affairs, Professor of Old Testament,
Princeton Theological Seminary
“With a welcoming voice and his characteristic erudition, Mark Smith
takes on some of the most profound questions in Western religions. As
he readily acknowledges, this book raises more questions than it answers;
it could not be otherwise. But for those interested in further explorations,
it also offers a wealth of resources.”
—Christopher B. Hays, D. Wilson Moore Associate
Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies,
Fuller Theological Seminary
“Smith has written a valuable book, providing detailed analysis of biblical
(especially Genesis 3–4; 6) and relevant ancient Near Eastern literature,
an exploration of broad theological issues such as the nature of humanity
in Genesis and ‘the mystery of God,’ and an overview of the ways ‘origi-
nal sin’ has been understood by Christian theologians. Smith concludes
that it is better to speak of the ‘fallout’ of what happens in Genesis 3
rather than ‘the Fall.’ This is a volume that will prove useful to the gen-
eral reader and the specialist alike.”
—David L. Petersen, Franklin N. Parker Professor
Emeritus of Old Testament, Candler School
of Theology, Emory University
“Mark Smith has taken up a most overworked, often misread text. He
addresses a most vexed and insistent theological notion. He does so, more-
over, with great attention to detail, patience with theological nuance, and
wide-ranging critical awareness. The outcome of his work is a rich, fresh,
and suggestive theological exposition of a very old issue. Smith cannot
and does not seek to void the lingering over-read of the text by church
tradition. But he does invite reconsideration of matters of sin and evil. He
is, moreover, alert to the contemporary urgency of the issue and offers a
most welcome interpretive encounter.”
—Walter Brueggemann, William Marcellus McPheeters
Professor Emeritus of Old Testament,
Columbia Theological Seminary
“Was there a ‘Fall’? Was there an ‘original sin’? The prolific author Mark
Smith offers insight and writes with clarity and profundity on these piv-
otal topics that are so vital to biblical theology. While not all will agree
with every element of his analysis of the relevant texts, his reflections will
provoke better understanding and further discussion. All those who are
interested in these important questions will have to reckon with Smith’s
perspective.”
—Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar
and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies,
Westmont College
“This disarmingly honest, thoughtful, and gracefully written book
addresses questions that regularly occur to readers of the biblical narra-
tives in Genesis 1–11, but particularly in chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6. Their
queries concern the nature of evil, the Fall, original sin, Satan, guilt, inno-
cence, the implications of being human, and the ‘wrongness’ of human
curiosity. Depending on the individual readers, the questions may be
considered of general interest or of personal concern.
When examining specific questions and their implications, Mark S.
Smith draws from knowledge and insights in the works of ancient and
premodern theologians and biblical commentators typically found on
traditional Christian and Jewish bookshelves as well as from research
found on the bookshelves of twenty-first-century historians and language
experts, all specialists in different aspects of ancient Israel’s culture and
the contemporaneous civilizations of the pre-Christian, ancient Near
East. Smith, a highly regarded expert in the field, answers old theological
questions for himself and for a new generation of questioners.
The book reads quickly. It is an action adventure for the restless mind
that has a satisfactory but open-ended conclusion. For those interested in
how Smith pulls this off, he provides a large section of endnotes contain-
ing references and sidebar discussions.”
—Ziony Zevit, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Literature
and Northwest Semitic Languages and Literature,
American Jewish University, Los Angeles
“Smith has produced a thought-provoking, engaging discourse that
clearly respects the mysteries of the divine/human drama portrayed in
the Genesis 3–6 narratives. Smith’s book is as much about the subject
matter—good and evil—as it is about interpreting the Scriptures: Smith
invites readers’ awareness of the nature of the narrative, religious mes-
sage, and the scope often used by Christian readers. Readers will be
intrigued by Smith’s arguments and compelled to dialogue about their
understanding of sin, human will, and the condition of humanity. This
is a must-read book for scholars and churches and for anyone who seeks
further understanding of commonly held beliefs. This book asks us as
readers to reflect on who or what is the great nemesis or enemy—sin? the
devil?—and how the Genesis 3–6 narratives contribute to modern views
of sin, good, and evil.”
—Mignon R. Jacobs, Dean and Chief Academic Officer,
Professor of Old Testament Studies,
Ashland Theological Seminary
The Genesis of Good and Evil

The Genesis of Good and Evil
The Fall(out) and Original Sin in the Bible
Mark S. Smith
© 2019 Mark S. Smith
First edition
Published by Westminster John Knox Press
Louisville, Kentucky
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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of
the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NJPS are from The TANAKH: The New JPS Translation according to the
Traditional Hebrew Text, copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society and used by permission.
Scripture texts marked NABRE are from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991,
1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of
the copyright owner. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright
© 1946, 1952, 1971, and 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.
Book design by Sharon Adams
Cover design by Marc Whitaker/MTWdesign.net
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Smith, Mark S., 1955– author.
Title: The genesis of good and evil : the fall(out) and original sin in the Bible / Mark S. Smith.
Description: First edition. | Louisville, Kentucky : Westminster John Knox Press, [2018] |
Includes bibliographical references and indexes. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2018037050 (print) | LCCN 2018044433 (ebook) | ISBN 9781611649000 |
ISBN 9780664263959 (pbk.)
Subjects: LCSH: Eden—Biblical teaching. | Bible. Genesis, I-XI—Criticism, interpretation, etc. |
Fall of man—Biblical teaching. | Sin, Original—Biblical teaching.
Classification: LCC BS1237 (ebook) | LCC BS1237 .S65 2018 (print) | DDC 233/.14—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018037050
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For my parents,
always