July 2

The Book of Genesis, more than any other book of the Bible, contains many mysteries that are hard to understand.  The deacon Alcuin of York (d. 804), the most renowned teacher of his day and Charlemagne's "minister of culture", wrote a manual of questions on the Book of Genesis, with his blunt answers.  Following are questions and answers from his book regarding God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah:

"Q: If God is a just judge, why were the children of Sodom burned up at the same time with their parents?   A: In order to turn away the exceedingly wicked sin of the Sodomites.  Their sin reached even unto the death of their children lest some sign remain of its origin.  It was providential for them to die early, lest if they lived for a long time they should follow the example of their parents in sin.  In this way they would suffer more lightly in the future, or even not at all, or to be killed for another reason.  Now, the guilt of  parents affects their children as much as themselves.  The death of the children, then, is the fault of their parents, and in the future life their children will be their accusers."

"Q:  Why did the angels enter, as guests, into Lot's home?  A:   In order to test, prove, and reward the charity of Lot, as well as to show the great goodness of hospitality.  The angels entered the hospitable house in order to free the host, but fire entered the inns closed to them in order to destroy the sinners within them.  Guests are not to be driven away, but invited within."

"Q: Why the the wicked inhabitants of those towns receive their punishment from heaven?   A: Because the shouting of the sinners was said to go up to heaven.  This is why they should have been punished from heaven."

"Q:  Why were they punished with sulfurous fire?   A: So that the most foul heat of their lust might be punished be the most foul-smelling flames and heat."

"Q:  Why was Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt?   A: for the 'seasoning' of the faithful; thus the punishment of the wicked is a lesson for the just."