I was around 14 when I decided to read the Bible through in a year. I recall from that endeavor the discovery of Genesis 3:15. God says to the serpent who tempted Eve and Adam: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

I was  intrigued by that verse because it seemed so clearly to refer to Christ. He was the seed of a woman (Mary) who was attacked by the Serpent (Satan in the temptation) and who bruised the Serpent’s head (the Resurrection which defeated Satan). I was pleased at my analysis. Years later  I learned I was not the first to make this interpretation. Bible scholars from the early church had already made the connection with some referring to this verse as the protoevangelum (first good news). Many years afterwards, I discovered that modern Bible scholars, especially teachers of the Old Testament, scoff at this interpretation. I learned not to mention the insight I had lest I be mocked for my naïveté.

I’m an old man now and don’t care if people think I’m naive in my approach to Scripture. I like the ancient interpretation of the protoevangelum. Biblical texts, like all religious symbols, are multivalent, that is, they have many meanings. When people tell you they know THE meaning of a part of Scripture, consider what they have to say, smile at them, but don’t think you’re necessarily wrong. Who knows what God might be revealing to you?

Read  2 Timothy 3:16-17 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne