Timshel, Daedulus and Dr. Faustus

The fall…
The best place to start is—I suppose—the beginning.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. From here—I could spend days alluding and referencing this passage, even each of these words to countless, and tireless avenues and points of interest. And this( this never ending cross reference) is the very importance and significance of this Book.
I forget who exactly, but someone on Tuesdays class said that what is difficult about reading the Bible in its entirety is that amongst, between, and within each of the “exciting” parts, are words. Dull, boring, lifeless words. Even though I would have to agree that I get bored and that I cannot see the depth of each name, each word. I cannot dismiss the depth all together. It is, as Dr. Sexson said-our problem. If we can’t find the joy in genealogy, that does not negate or deplete the joy that genealogy possess. But, I think we all know that. I’m just getting to rambling.
On the subject of words in the Bible and there broad base and chasm of depth: This summer I kicked back and read a slew of books that were a pleasure and breeze to read. Among them: East of Eden. Clearly steeped in biblical allegory, but specifically engrossed in one word of the bible: “Timshel” or “Thou Mayst”. A philosophical conversation ensues about the choice of words, and the heavy weight of each-and specifically this word “Timshel” the overall point being: that Cane is given the choice to overcome sin. He is not ordered to do so, he is not fated to do so he is instead, free to do so.
I would advise anyone interested to read the passage as it was written so as to get a better and more beautiful rendition of my explanation. And if they check out this link: http://timshel.org/timshel.php it will open up to that passage specifically.
As I am writing this it seems fitting, while reading and attempting to understand the Bible, that we are somewhat Timshelled ourselves. We are given the option to read the whole book, to overcome the bible as it were, to explore any avenue.
Getting back to my original purpose for writing this blog however, I wanted to get into it at or at least near the beginning. Though I could spend days talking about the first few words and everything that can come off of that (as I find myself already doing). I want to talk about the tree of knowledge and some other stuff.
The “tree of knowledge” is a theme that really does come up damn near everywhere. But I am specifically thinking of Dr. Faustus and Daedalus.
It is the pursuit of the unknown of pure knowledge that leads us to eminent doom. Or, better put and invoking a funny image: curiosity killed the cat.
I am realizing now that this idea is a long one so I will just try and stick with Daedalus. For he “turned his mind to arts unknown and nature unrevealed.” (for the full Ovidian passage see here: http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/Classics/OvidIcarus.htm
From this pursuit of unknown truths, of knowledge held away from man, Icarus literally fell, he came too close to the godly world and it became his demise.
Proud of his success,
the foolish Icarus forsook his guide,
350 and, bold in vanity, began to soar,
rising upon his wings to touch the skies;
but as he neared the scorching sun, its heat
softened the fragrant wax that held his plumes;
and heat increasing melted the soft wax--
355 he waved his naked arms instead of wings,
with no more feathers to sustain his flight.
And as he called upon his father's name
his voice was smothered in the dark blue sea,
now called Icarian from the dead boy's name.