If a worldview is pretty much the basis for human civilization, it's also probably worth thinking about. But to properly prepare, it's probably a good idea to acknowledge that the early 21st century has a certain zeitgeist lens, and if we look through it, the object of consideration will appear different from some other perspective.
The proper lens is one that is neutral, that does not presume that wisdom evolves according to an inexorable timeline towards Truth and Intelligence. While it is true the world has television and iPads, it's also possible that the sum of human foolishness has increased apace. Homer used to perform The Iliad from memory. Where are the 21st Century's Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle? There haven't been many Renaissance men since... well, the Renaissance. Maybe what appears to us to be progress is just THINGS becoming smarter, while people become more more foolish. Maybe.
Anyway, if you can get to a more objective, dispassionate point of view, ancient truths can be appreciated in a larger context.
Unblinking wrote:
So, either I'm completely missing the point of that story, or it clashes with our entire modern lifestyle.
Yes. And yes.
The point of the story is not that knowledge is evil. In fact, Eve saw that it was good and pleasing. The point is simply that God had said that the consequence of eating it was death. When you choose knowledge, you lose innocence. You become responsible for the consequences of your choices. Our modern system of justice is based on this same premise, that responsibility is connected to consequences. A 6 year old cannot be charged with premeditated murder, or even shoplifting. He has not reached the age of accountability; he is de facto innocent.
"The entire modern lifestyle" is mostly about things. When there is a riot, the people on TV are all carrying off the TV's and iPads, right?
Anyway, it's best not to listen to preachers about this stuff, cause they've got their own distorting lens, being mostly preoccupied with the topic of Obedience, with God being the lead singer for Inner Circle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KadYZJzQEBw
The point of the story isn't about the modern lifestyle, in the same way that e=mc2 isn't. It just is what it is.