The issue is not education itself—Scripture does not condemn learning, intellect, or thoughtful inquiry. In fact, Proverbs is filled with commands to seek wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Proverbs 4:7; 18:15). Paul was highly educated under Gamaliel and used his training to reason persuasively from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2–3). The problem arises not with education, but with elevating human wisdom above God’s truth.
The Bible warns that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). When education is used not to serve God but to elevate self, it becomes a stumbling block. The danger is not knowledge itself, but the pride that often comes with it—believing that intellect gives license to twist or dismiss Scripture. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7), not with academic credentials or popular philosophies. Paul even wrote, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate” (1 Corinthians 1:19), because God’s truth often stands in stark contrast to worldly thinking.
It is not anti-intellectual to test every idea against the Word of God (Acts 17:11). Nor is it arrogant to reject doctrines or ideologies that contradict Scripture. Christians are called to demolish arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5), not to celebrate “variety” for its own sake. The goal is not to reduce vibrant thought to “monotony,” but to align it with eternal truth. Any worldview, ideology, or intellectual pursuit that sets itself above God’s Word is, by definition, in error. Conversation is welcome—but truth must govern the dialogue.
Doesn’t scripture note that Cain farmed while Able shepherded? Wouldn’t the offering be from what they had to give?
A better question is, where did the offspring of Adam and Eve find wives? Or how did they have children? Genesis does not really say where the rest of humanity came from… Does it?
One answer: (So Cain could assume that atonement only comes by the shedding of blood of a living thing and not by the offering of a non animal) is that his dad told him that God had to kill an animal (shed blood) in order to cover for his and Eve’s sin, so that is the way it had to be.
Possibly they were to offer to God from what they owned, but maybe they had to reach out to something they did not own and had to buy in order to offer an animal for the shedding of its blood to atone for. Maybe this was common knowledge at the time.
God wants us to try to not sin, but eventually we do sin in some way. It is a constant battle. Cain failed just as we all do and he needed to atone for his sin, and only a blood sacrifice could atone. an offering of grain would not atone for sin, and I think his parents had taught him that, but he ignored it.
Genesis says Abel offered the produce of his animals while Cain offered the fruit of his fields.
Able’s offering was accepted and Cain’s wasn’t.
Gods rebuke of Cain shows that part of the problem was his attitude.
As for wives, jewish tradition is that Adam and Eve had 70 children. It is believed that brother and sgisters married each other.
Perhaps I have driven the cart off of the course, please forgive me for the brief scenic detour… But I am overwhelmed by the desire to ask why you believe that your mechanic is intellectually inferior to you?
It can be avoided, but the bent toward sin is always there. Having the Holy Spirit within us enables us to avoid sin even though it is an upward climb because of what our original ancestor did.