The surprisingly gentle Creator (Reading and Respecting Genesis 3)

In part 3 of this exploration of the Genesis 3 story, I examine God's response to the transgression of the humans. If you are even passingly familiar with this story (or the Old Testament in general) you probably imagine God as a Zeus-like, bearded sky-man, ready to smite at a moment's notice. And what better smiting opportunity than immediately after the first humans disobey the one and only command they were given?? But what we see instead is quite surprising, especially given the ancient context within which this story was written. So join me for a brief exploration of God's surprising character, even in this old, old story.