The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, why was it created and placed on earth?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
I didn't say you said that.

There are those who believe in the bible yet don't think of what it actually tells them.
They tell themselves the bible is inerrant, and dont bother to realize even discussions here demonstrate there are inconsistencies, errors, and contradictions.

They tell themselves they have to believe in the bible, but they don't believe they have to think about what is written.

They make an idol of a book, and confine God to what is contained therein. As if it isn't in scripture it isn't related to God.
While not being critical of what they read and recognizing while Gid is

Interesting perspective.

Taking into consideration your perspective regarding the real identity of the two tree's, that would mean God planted Satan, whom he made lord of this world, in the center of the garden.
And afterward on the sixth day God judged all he'd created good.
God said that those He created on the 6th day were very good, This is a real question before there was a law was anything against the law. Could you be held liable for moral violations I guess you could because God held Cain liable for killing his brother. Answered my own crazy question.
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
This is silly. If a man has one rib surgically removed and he fathers a son, does his son have one less rib? Who would be so stupid to believe that this removal of one rib is hereditary?
I was answering a post where someone said men had one less rib. Are you sure that rib is not a mistranslation as the Hebrew dictionary does not call it a human rib.
 
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
I was answering a post where someone said men had one less rib. Are you sure that rib is not a mistranslation as the Hebrew dictionary does not call it a human rib.
Far as I can remember, in Hebrew it was "side" - God cut his side open or God took a part from his side. This has prophetic significance as it foretells the piercing of Jesus's side on the cross. It was originally translated as "rib" based on "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" in the next verse.
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
I am not sure, I just know that science say the normal person male or female has 24 ribs that was my point men are not missing one
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
Gen 2:21a-22a . . So the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon the man; and,
while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that spot.
And the Lord God fashioned the rib that He had taken from the man into a
woman;


If men are willing to sell their souls in order to obtain the girl of their
dreams, then it's probably not too much for them to sell a rib. :)


Anyhoo:

The Hebrew word translated "rib" is tsela' (tsay-law') and Gen 2:21-22
contains the only two places in the entire Old Testament where it's
translated with an English word representing a skeletal bone. In the other
twenty-nine places, it's translated "side" which is really how tsela' should be
translated because according to Gen 2:23, the material taken from Adam
included some of his flesh; and seeing as how the life of the flesh is in the
blood (Lev 17:11) then I think it's safe to assume that the flesh God took
from Adam's body to construct the woman contained some of his blood too
so that the flesh was living flesh instead of dead.


In other words: we can accept "rib" if we allow it a description similar to a
barbecued rib; a serving that contains not bone alone rather, bone, blood,
and meat.


But the most important thing to note in that passage is that Eve wasn't
created directly from the soil as Adam was, viz: she wasn't a discreet
creation, i.e. women aren't a unique specie.


Being as Eve was created from Adam's flesh, blood, and bones, then the
flesh, blood, and bones of her body were reproductions of his flesh, blood,
and bones. Therefore any and all progeny produced by Eve's body, whether
virgin-conceived or normally conceived, would consist of Adam's body, i.e.
they would be his progeny just as much as Eve's if any part of her body was
in any way at all involved in the conception.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
Speaking to Jesus' mom, the angel said:

"You will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him
Jesus." (Luke 1:31)

In reply, Mary said:

"How can this be, since I am a virgin." (Luke 1:34)

There are many on-going attempts to disconnect Jesus from Adam by
insisting his lack of a biological father circumvented their relation. Oh?
Well, I have to ask: From whom did Mary obtain a womb?

Unless someone can prove beyond even a hint of sensible doubt that
Mary was in no possible way Eve's biological progeny, then we must
concede that Mary's womb was inherited from Eve the same as every other
Jewish woman's womb. And seeing as how Eve's womb was constructed with
material taken from Adam's body, then Mary's womb started out with that
very same material, ergo: any child truly conceived in Mary's womb--
whether virgin conceived or normally conceived --was/is Adam's biological
progeny.

Heb 2:14-15 . . Since then the children share in flesh and blood, he himself
likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render
powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might
deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their
lives.

Heb 2:16-17 . . For assuredly he does not give help to angels, but he gives
help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like His
brethren in all things, that he might become a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the
people.

Now, according to the above, had not Jesus come into this world 100%
Abraham's progeny, then his crucifixion for the Jews' sins would've been a
ping, i.e. a useless death-- Jesus' crucifixion would've had no more
redeeming value than road kill.
_
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
I am not sure, I just know that science say the normal person male or female has 24 ribs that was my point men are not missing one
If I was going to sculpt some clay with an human bone, a rib would be the best tool for the job, I think.

Just an interesting observation.
 

BeeThePeace

Active member
May 2, 2022
443
135
43
God said that those He created on the 6th day were very good, This is a real question before there was a law was anything against the law. Could you be held liable for moral violations I guess you could because God held Cain liable for killing his brother. Answered my own crazy question.
God looked upon all that he had created and called it good. Genesis 1:31.

And there was a law of God.All of creation operates,exists, according to God's laws for all that exists by his creation of it.
Job 38, Hebrews 1:3

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Sustaining-Creation

God's law was spoken to Adam when he was told , thou shalt not eat.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
According to Rom 5:12, Adam's disobedience per the forbidden fruit is the
reason why everybody has to die.

FAQ: Had Jesus not been crucified, would he have eventually died anyway?
_
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
FAQ: Had Jesus not been crucified, would he have eventually died anyway?
_
This is the same question as 'did Adam have to keep eating from the tree of life periodically otherwise he would die' before the Fall.
Or, 'was Adam created immortal in the beginning'

Because we are talking about pure, sinless humanity in its originally intended created state.

Only two men have ever existed in such a sinless state on earth, Adam 1.0 and Adam 2.0

Was Christ's sinless body subject to decay and corruption?
Was Adam's, while he had no sin?
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
4,030
1,319
113
Australia
I questioned if God did everything especially if He foresaw what they were going to do what they did and still included a tree they were forbidden to eat of and allowed the deceiver/tempted to enter into their world. It would seems that God set Eve up
God doesn't tempt us.. He allowed the situation to happen so that Eve could choose.
The temptation came as Eve thought about or allowed the words of the serpent to impress her and entice her. Like a bag of money that isn't yours....You know it is wrong to steal it and you know you should walk away. The longer you stay and look at it, and think about reasons to take it, or reason to justify having the bag of money, the more of a temptation it becomes.

Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1Co_10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Eve was able to bear it. She was able to overcome it but she choose to sin. It is often the little things that make a big difference.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
4,030
1,319
113
Australia
was Adam created immortal in the beginning'
No
Only God is immortal.
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Adam was free from death while he was free from sin. This does not make him immortal. God gave life to Adam like He gives life to us. The never ending supply of life will continue to be given to those that are free from sin (redeemed). The gift of eternal life and immortality are different.
Jesus was free from sin and took the guilt of our sin on himself therefore became subject to death.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
No
Only God is immortal.
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can
approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour
and power everlasting. Amen.

Assuming your interpretation of that passage is correct, then the day is
coming when it will no longer be true that God alone is immortal.

1Cor 15:53 . .This mortal must put on immortality.

However, I believe it best to interpret that passage so it points to Jesus
instead of God.

In other words: right now, today, it's true that Jesus is the only human
being in existence with a body that's impervious to death and decay. But
according to Phil 3:21 his followers are on track to get a body patterned
after his; so they too will be impervious to death and decay; thus making it
possible for them, along the Jesus, to dwell in a light which no man can
approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see.

John 14:3 . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there you may be also.
_
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
Adam was free from death while he was free from sin. This does not make him immortal
What do you consider to be the difference between "immortal" and "free of death"?

Maybe I am just using the wrong words.
But my central premise is that in Adam there was no sin - before the fall - and in Christ there was no sin. The only two instances of a man with no sin in a mortal body ((yes Woman also, so really 3 instances))

Did their bodies decay. Was there death at work in them even though there was no sin?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
.



Assuming your interpretation of that passage is correct, then the day is
coming when it will no longer be true that God alone is immortal.


1Cor 15:53 . .This mortal must put on immortality.

However, I believe it best to interpret that passage so it points to Jesus
instead of God.


In other words: right now, today, it's true that Jesus is the only human
being in existence with a body that's impervious to death and decay. But
according to Phil 3:21 his followers are on track to get a body patterned
after his; so they too will be impervious to death and decay; thus making it
possible for them, along the Jesus, to dwell in a light which no man can
approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see.


John 14:3 . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there you may be also.
_
I may be wrong, but my understanding of that passage is possessive.
Only God possesses immortality, but He can confer it on whom He will.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
Adam was free from death while he was free from sin. This does not make
him immortal.

I'm beginning to suspect you might be experiencing difficulty telling the
difference between immortality and eternal life. Well. I wouldn't be
surprised; quite a few Christians assume they are synonyms speaking of
one and the same condition.

Immortality speaks of a condition that's impervious to death and decay.

Eternal life speaks of timeless existence; for example: God always was,
always is, and always shall be.
_
 
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
Did their bodies decay. Was there death at work in them even though there was no sin?
Yes and no. Yes, because of the Second Law of Thermodynamics; no, because that dying process was reversed by the power from the Tree of Life. If your perception of heaven is the New Jerusalem, then that's restored Eden, and the same tree is planted in it to sustain eternal life.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
4,030
1,319
113
Australia
I may be wrong, but my understanding of that passage is possessive.
Only God possesses immortality, but He can confer it on whom He will.
I see it as God alone has immortality and can give life to who ever He chooses.
having life and the ability to create life is different. Having the gift of life every day and never coming to death is what we will have because God gives us life.... We do not have our own self existent source of life, we cannot live without Gods life in us. while we are connected to the vine we have life, sin cuts us off from the source of life and we slowly wither and die.

Without God can anything exist and live?
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,895
1,084
113
Oregon
.
.Eternal life speaks of timeless existence; for example: God always was,
always is, and always shall be.

FAQ: John 10:27-28 says Jesus endows his sheep with eternal life. Does that
somehow make his sheep timeless beings?

REPLY: The eternal life given to Jesus' sheep is meant to endow them with
the nature of God, i.e. His qualities; which are quite a level above human
nature's qualities.

2Pet 1:3-4 . . His divine power has given us everything we need for life and
godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and
goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

That passage in 2nd Peter suggests to me that folks who leave this life
deprived of eternal life, will be stuck with the corruption in the world
permanently, viz: they'll be stuck with human nature which, according to
Rom 8.5-8, opposes God rather than conforming to His ways.
_
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
Yes and no. Yes, because of the Second Law of Thermodynamics; no, because that dying process was reversed by the power from the Tree of Life.
You are assuming that entropy existed before sin entered the world, and also assuming that this was constantly remedied by a steady diet of death-antidote.

To me, it seems like you are directly contradicting Romans 5 - which says death entered through sin.
You have the whole creation permeated with death, before there is any sin to cause that death.

So I think those are bad assumptions.