Universal Pain, Universal Agony

The first man and woman in the universe were not content with their circumstances and Divine appointments: a perfect universe, cosmic unity and continuity between spirit and matter, intimacy with the Creator, perfect intimacy between male and female, perfect harmony with the environment, and meaningful role and purpose in the world.

They broke one command, a command by which the Creator wished to express His sovereignty over everything including man and woman. The unity of God's law meant that the unity and harmony of the universe was disrupted with the breaking of one command, like the breaking of a delicate piece of China.

The consequences have been the lot of all mankind forever: Shame and Hypocrisy, The fultility of man's labor, a rebellious natural environment, difficulty and pain in childbearing, rebellious progeny, turmoil between man and woman, with woman tending to usurp authority, and man dominating woman, and finally, death and futility.

This is the experience of all mankind on a personal as well as on a social scale. No culture is exempt. No time period in history is untouched. It happens every day of the week, including Sundays and Holidays, sometimes especially on Sundays and Holidays, 24 hours a day. No faith is exempt. It happens to Catholics and Evangelicals, Muslims and Atheists, Liberal and Conservative, etc. etc.

To the extent that these consequences are alleviated, it is the blessing of God.