To many students of the Bible the second chapter of Genesis is enigmatic and problematical. But when studied along with the chapter of the same name in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, Genesis 2 becomes an illuminating case study of evil and its claims to existence and intelligence.
According to Christian Science, the second chapter delineates the primal mortal error: the belief that divine Mind's wholly spiritual creation, recorded in Genesis 1, was superseded by a material, sinful creation and consciousness.
What contrasts the two accounts give! The eternal Elohim versus a corporeal Lord God, Jehovah. Man in the "image" and "likeness" of Spirit itself versus man formed from the dust of the ground. Man "male and female" versus Adam and his transformed rib, Eve. Man with dominion over "every creeping thing" versus man seduced by a talking serpent!
