Read Part 1.

Part of Christian teaching is not just the hope that the world will be transformed in an age to come, but that the world experienced a similar transformation long ago in reverse. The universe we presently experience does not behave the same as the universe God originally created and declared "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Paul can speak of a day to come when the universe will be "set free from its slavery to corruption" because he believed there was a time long past when it was "subjected to futility." In theological language we call this event the Fall.

The story in Genesis is a familiar one and the subject of much debate between science and religion. It speaks of humanity rebelling against God to seek autonomous rule. By breaking their communion with the Living God they subjected themselves, and all of creation, to death. Genesis 3 speaks of the cursing of God's good creation; it's subjugation to sin, slavery, and decay. This corruption sets the scene for the redemption narrative ...