Chapters 1-3 of Genesis describe the totally captivating stories of the creation of the universe, the earth, all of life, and human life in particular. “Adam”, for me, represents all of humanity: we are created, related, spiritual, embodied, sexual, articulate, inquisitive, logical, mortal, fallible…
Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” (above) explores the relationship between humanity and mathematics: the human figure is shown as proportionate and symmetrical. Sadly, few of us are quite as mathematically perfect as this!
Masaccio’s painting below, is one of the most harrowing portrayals I know. This is of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise:
But overall, when I think of the story of Adam, I am more inspired than deflated. The story of Adam is the story of a universe where God intentionally creates a living, self-conscious human being. It is not science, but it illuminates the human condition.
Flowering Poverello 