Imagine if every man were a sculptor, using his mouth and mind as his chisel. In this analogy, a story would be the collective creation of many sculptors. However, as stories are passed back and forth, they easily lose their original shape, and people quickly forget them.
The Bible serves as an excellent example of this phenomenon. It is not only the oldest and most influential story but also a masterpiece that encompasses literature and art. Most importantly, it acts as a source of essential moral principles that have incited conflicts, oppression, and spiritual journeys throughout history.
Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, the impact of the Bible endures in the lives of all individuals.
One of the most famous stories in this collection is the tale of Cain and Abel. However, over time, this story has been altered to place excessive importance on moral teachings. The fame surrounding Cain and Abel stems from its exceptionally brutal content, which is condensed into just sixteen verses. Both Cain and Abel are the offspring of Adam and Eve; while Adam works as a farmer, Abel takes care of sheep.
Over time, the two brothers made offerings to God. Cain offered the Lord his harvested fruit, while Abel offered the firstborn of his flock. However, God favored and accepted Abel’s offering but did not accept Cain’s offering. This greatly angered and upset Cain. Eventually, in the fields, Cain attacked and killed his brother Abel. It is crucial to remember that The Bible is a religious text aiming to convey moral principles through its stories.
Despite its original form, The Bible has transformed and grown. Its stories are no longer limited to its pages but are now shared through oral traditions and different adaptations and allusions. These variations serve two purposes: they aid in spreading the teachings and often amplify or simplify ideas of right and wrong to effectively convey morality. This approach can be viewed as utilitarian. A clear example of this phenomenon is evident in the numerous children’s adaptations inspired by The Bible.
In these versions, the characters of Cain and Abel are simplified and their story is condensed for clear learning purposes. Cain is frequently depicted as a hefty, dark-skinned man, with unkempt facial hair. In contrast, Abel is portrayed as a younger, thinner, paler figure, brimming with vitality. The visuals effectively convey the alterations made to emphasize the moral of the story to its youthful audience. Similarly, the narrative itself is revised to vilify Cain.
These versions often have a similar structure. Firstly, they introduce Cain and Abel and describe their characters. They then mention the offering and Cain’s jealousy. Finally, they conclude by stating that Cain killed Abel and received punishment. This rigid presentation restricts the interpretation of the story’s themes, depriving the audience of the opportunity to make informed self-interpretations. In reality, the excessively stylized Biblical stories are not significantly distinct from the popularized elementary school narrative of the Thanksgiving feast, involving Pilgrims and Native Americans.
Teachers and parents frequently avoid discussing the brutal actions of the European Pilgrims towards the Native people. Similarly, in the story of Cain and Abel, many tend to overlook an important conversation between God and Cain. To gain a new perspective, it is crucial to revisit the original text. By including God’s words directed at Cain, readers and believers can obtain a completely different understanding. Condensed versions often neglect two key components: God declaring Cain’s authority over sin and the Mark of Cain.
Despite the rejection of Cain’s offering and his disappointed countenance, God spoke to Cain, offering words of comfort and guidance. In Genesis 4:7, God said to Cain, “sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” This message was given before Cain actually committed the act of killing Abel, highlighting the importance of this proclamation. Despite his failure to truly rule over sin, the existence of this declaration remains critical and even optimistic. Many simplified versions of the story overlook the significance of these words, but they reveal that Cain still possesses the ability to overcome evil.
Despite Cain being portrayed as wholly evil in simplified versions, there is potential for redemption. He is not forlorn or forgotten; hope still exists for him. The Mark of Cain, another instance of neglect, serves a similar purpose. Despite Cain murdering Abel, God gives him a mark on his forehead to protect him rather than ostracize him. By placing this mark on Cain after casting him out into the world, God ensures that no one will harm him. This further indicates that Cain is not completely aligned with the Devil.
He is still under the jurisdiction of God. God’s proclamation of Cain’s rule over sin and the Mark of Cain are essential parts of the story that, when excluded, remove the story’s dynamic essence. These two components, whether positive or negative, introduce complexity to an otherwise straightforward Christian parable. Cain and Abel, along with other tales, have been altered to fit certain agendas. This modification diminishes the story’s expressive qualities, and without these qualities, the growth of personal and progressive ideas is hindered.
Cain and Abel exemplify the necessity for readers and thinkers to refer back to the text to form authentic opinions. The story’s survival relies on the conviction of its readers, who must generate their own conviction. Despite being taught this story as a child in Catholic Bible Study classes, it wasn’t until later that I revisited the text. What I had previously disregarded as rigid doctrine, I now acknowledge as a powerful representation of the human struggle.
I have come to believe that, more than anything—more than being a representation of sin or evil or the devil’s influence—Cain is the archetype of man. He was the first man born, the first man to have lived with his father’s sins and to create, by his own hands, his own damnation. Cain was more man than Abel. He loved what he felt was an unrequited love, he seethed with jealousy, was blinded by rage, played fool by his emotions. He is man as we know it. And as humans and descendants of Cain, we must believe that he can be forgiven—so we might also hope the same can be done unto us.
