Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17
To help you formulate a response you may read the following article from the Institute of Faith, Work, and Economics for reflection. It is “Sending A Message to Business: A Christian Perspective On Creative Destruction” by Taylor Barkley, March 8, 2013, https://tifwe.org/sending-a-message-to-business-a-christian-perspective-on-creative-destruction/
How does Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2%3A8-9%2C+15-17+&version=NIV) and Genesis 3:17-19 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3%3A17-19&version=NIV)
If you are not familiar with the creation account, God created the natural environment and gave it to the first parents. The biblical language says that God “planted” the garden and asked Adam to build upon God’s work by caring for it. When Adam and Eve sinned, agricultural productivity suffered. To tie it into the questions of what, how, and why, consider the reason for God creating the garden and giving it to Adam to manage. Also consider the nature of creativity in light of the biblical passages and how it is connected to human flourishing.
Provide insight for the three basic economic questions of what to produce, how to produce it, and for whom to produce?
Sample Answer
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Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17: These passages describe God placing Adam in the Garden of Eden to care for it. This suggests that work was intended to be a fulfilling and enjoyable activity. God also gives Adam the responsibility to name the animals and cultivate the garden. This demonstrates that God intended for humans to use their creativity and intelligence to care for the earth.
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Genesis 3:17-19: This passage describes the consequences of sin, including the curse of hard labor and the difficulty of producing food. This suggests that sin has distorted God’s original plan for work and creativity, making it more difficult and less fulfilling.