IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON May 5, 2008 Issue

AFTER THE FALL

BENJAMIN F. GLADDEN

THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON on the subject "Adam and Fallen Man" challenges a centuries-old theological belief among many Christians regarding original sin, or the "fall of man," and the effects of that sin.

In the story found in Genesis, Adam disobeyed God and ate fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden of Eden, after which he and Eve were banished from the garden. According to old theology, this led to a hereditary stain that each of us is born with because we're descended from Adam.

Of course, fall has several different meanings. A person can fall from grace, fall into poverty, even fall out the window. Each of these meanings is specifically addressed in this week's Lesson, and each one reveals a path to healing and regeneration.