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Adam and Eve did not sin against God because of any fault in God's government. It was not harsh. It was not arbitrary. It did not lack in grace. Adam and Eve could not have sinned had they not been given that noble gift of freedom of choice. No other creature has this noble characteristic. This gift was bestowed on man alone. God does not approve of force and He will not accept service which is forced. He extends freedom to all of His creation so that they may yield Him a voluntary service. God is love and He desires that His creation should worship Him in love. He wants them to have an intelligent understanding of His true character so that they may freely choose to serve Him. Adam and Eve could never have fallen without free moral agency.
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Could I ask a radical question in this Radically Christian Cafe?
DID man FALL? Or did he DIE?
Most falls are accidental, and few falls are fatal. But what took place in the garden was no accident, it was a choice! But it was a fatal choice.
Did God tell Adam, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely fall"???
Does scripture ever teach that the result of sin is a "fall"? Or does scripture tell us that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed and when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth DEATH?
What effect does this doctrine of "THE FALL" have on the minds, hearts and behaviour of men and women? Does it not infer the idea of being accidental, that somehow it is not the fault of those involved, that there is not nearly as much responsibility associated with a "fall" as there is with a choice that one makes after being fully and clearly warned beforehand that the consequence of such a choice would be DEATH?
What DIFFERENT effect would there be on minds hearts and behaviour if the doctrine of DEATH was clearly and widely taught, and that all those who CHOOSE to sin are actually CHOOSING DEATH over LIFE?
Does anyone know where the doctrine of "the fall" originated or when? I don't. I'm simply asking for information and wondering when such a concept actually originated! Can anyone help on this one?
Me again! I hope others will reply so we get a wider base of experience and knowledge. Some may be shy to respond, not realizing that each of us has a contribution to make. And, it may be that in our circle of aquaintences we have something to share that no one else does. If we withhold it then we rob others to that degree. But here is my contribution.
I like what you have brought out. The word fall does seem to soften the impact of any conviction of sin. It sounds so "soft" compared with death. "Oops! I fell down." It does imply that one can simply get up again and everything will be fine. However, the way fall is to be interpreted with respect to the gospel should comprehend that by sin man has fallen from his first estate. Man was created in the image of God and by sin has descended into the pits of hell. So the fall is the result of sin. Christ wishes to restore us to our original state into full communion with Him.
We may never learn the answer to your question about origin of the doctrine of the fall. So please, let's here more of your thoughts on our sinful nature and our need of the Savior. We always like to hear the story over and over again.
John 5:25 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Those dead in sin are being called to life now, today is the day of salvation.
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Have you ever stopped to think about that verse. How many people have been born and lived since the fall of Adam and Eve? Surely, Christ's sacrifice has made it all possible.
Man's existence was conditioned upon obedience. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command they sacrificed everything! Before the cross, it was only by God's forbearance that man continued to live after transgression. Disloyal subjects are not entitled to any sustenance from God--no air, no water, no food, nothing! But because Jesus agreed to die for fallen man even before the foundation of this world was laid, God's forebearance with man was long. After the cross of Christ we see the grace of God extending to sinful men the same privileges to partake of life giving substances that only the obedient are entitle to enjoy.
But God, in his mercy and long-suffering, makes his rain to fall and sun to shine upon both the evil and the good. So, the next time a sinner wants to know if God loves them, just ask if they can taste, smell, touch, eat, breath, and think. That is proof that God loves them just as much as the most righteous person on earth. Hard to imagine, perhaps, yet true.
And, in another true sense, we have already received payment. Christ has already paid our wages upon the cross. He not only paid the wages of sin in our behalf but has also paid the price for our salvation. Any work we do for him we have already been paid for. The greatest gift has been given to mankind in the personage of Jesus Christ and him crucified. How does this affect the reward we receive in the last day? Is there anything better or more that God can give to us than has already been given in the Son of God?
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