From the Creation of Man to the Tower of Babel
Summary of the Module
This module will offer a chance to contemplate humanity’s journey from the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise to the times that lead up to Abraham’s emergence. The events covered show how human infidelities and Satan’s plots in no way upset Gods loving and almighty plans, regardless of appearances.
In concluding his six-day Work, with the creation of man, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:31). The “very good” ensemble of Creation had man at its summit, in a certain sense, since God would one day become incarnate in human nature. “‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’” (Gen 1:26).
In their prideful ambition to be equal to God, Adam and Eve disobeyed a divine prohibition, seduced by the serpent’s words to Eve: “’You will be like God’” (Gen 3:5).
The opposite was true: by sinning, Adam and Eve lost Divine Grace and shattered the harmony that existed in their souls and in Creation. But the Tempter had no time to gloat. God immediately promised a future Redeemer and foretold Satan’s defeat.
With humanity’s newfound moral weakness, humans would have to depend all the more on God’s Grace and would be divided between those who accept God’s aid and those who reject it. In the Deluge, God’s chastised the latter, while safeguarding the faithful Noah and his family in the ark — pre-figure of the Church.
The descendants of Noah formed a new, but not God-fearing, humanity. They began to build the Tower of Babel, and their evil intent was punished: God confused their language and “scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth” (Gen 11:8).
We will examine all of these crucial events from the angle of God’s ever-prevailing plans and the rift between the faithful and those who war against God. We will see how God makes use of all evils to enhance His plans and win greater glory — glory that He will share with his faithful children.
Course Lessons
Bibliography
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