must have been a book-way down there in the slush pile of manuscripts-that somehow slipped out of the final draft of the Bible. That would have been the chapter that dealt with how we're supposed to recover from the criticism session in the Garden, and discover a sense that we're still welcome on the planet. There are moments in Scripture when we hear that God delights in people, and I am incredulous. But they are few and far between. Perhaps cooler heads determined that too much welcome would make sissies out of us all, and chose instead accounts of the ever popular slaughter, exile, and shame.
In her book "Small Victories," Anne Lamott suggests that there might have been an overlooked chapter in the Bible that dealt with healing from the harsh criticism experienced in the Garden of Eden. She argues that such a chapter would have emphasized our innate worthiness and acceptance in the world. Lamott expresses disbelief at the rare moments in Scripture that affirm God's delight in humanity, hinting that the overall biblical narrative...
