The story of the fall unravels all that is good and very good in God’s World. God’s Word has not only been distorted but now disobeyed. Order has been thrown into chaos. One tree in Eden has been selected over the other. Life was on offer in Eden but humankind chose death. In eating of the forbidden tree, intimate relationships are exchanged for exploding ones. ‘Unashamed and naked’ now turns to exposure, shame and blame. And this new pattern of sin and self-justification and blame is not only repeated down through the story of the whole Bible but repeated daily the whole world over.

Sin is the unlawful exchange of our rightful place in God’s World. Sin takes what is not ours, believing it will elevate us, but only leaves us deflated. Sin promises so much but only delivers guilt and shame.