Here I go with my own redux of the ancient story of Cain and Abel. As John Steinbeck did in East of Eden, I too see the eloquence of this story in piercing the Multi Earth worldview and how it’s honesty can disarm the grip with which Multi Earth tentacles encircle us. You can read the original version in Genesis 4:1-16.
Abel and Cain were brothers who lived two sharply distinguished worldviews: Abel was a nomadic herder; his brother Cain was a farmer. Though these worldviews may not seem so different to city dwellers today, in the history of our species the move from nomadic herding, hunting, and gathering to settled and surplus farming was a major shift in paradigm.
In the story, Abel and Cain each brought an offering to YHWH, their deity, from their respective lifework. Abel brought some premium cuts of meat from his herd and Cain brought some of his produce. YHWH liked Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s — a clear approval of the nomadic, herding worldview and disapproval of the agricultural worldview.
Cain was not happy. He became angry and depressed. YHWH asked him why, assuring him he could be accepted if he did right, but warning him to be on his guard because evil desired to master him.
At this point Cain invited Abel to go out into the field. There, in the fields that Cain farmed, he killed his herder brother.
YHWH again approached Cain and asked where Abel was. Cain replied, “I do not know,” and added the words for which he’s best known, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
What happens next? Stay tuned for the next entry in this blog!