The Adam’s Scratch

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NetChaplain

Guest
#1
#1
I believe one of the most helpful concepts about God is that of His "omniscience." Understanding that He has always had knowledge of all things reveals much of His will and desires in the Scriptures. For example, when He commanded Adam not to partake of the "Tree of knowledge of good and evil" (Gen 2:17) He already knew Adam would disobey and since He allowed this act, I perceive negligible conflict with the concept that God used this occurrence to further reflect on His "image and "likeness" (Gen 1:26) in knowing that man would more so "become like one of Us, to know good and evil" (Gen 3:22).

One can know something and not understand it, but receive its understanding through experience, which in my comprehension was likely God's plan. The word "know" in Hebrew is yada' (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3045&t=KJV), and in the context of the above passage it is most sensibly applied with the definition "to understand, perceive, or discern." Since man already knew (knowledge but no understanding) what was good by what God "commanded," and "evil" by what He forbid (Gen 2:16, 17), the design of the word "know" here can be reasonably intended in sense to understand or comprehend.

I enjoy sharing a humorous thought that God could have said, "I already know you're going to disobey Me, but don't." This could have confused Adam, causing him to begin scratching his head in perpetual contemplation, and today instead of the "Adam's Apple" (which I believe can be analogous to the first bight lodged in the throat to hinder swallowing it) it could be the "Adam's Scratch"!

- NC
 
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BeyondET

Guest
#2
#2
Even though Adam was warned not to eat the fruit from the tree, what was he given to make that discussion.
 
N

NetChaplain

Guest
#3
#3
BeyondET said:
Even though Adam was warned not to eat the fruit from the tree, what was he given to make that discussion.
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Hey BET - I think I understand your question about "discussion" but I would need more clarification to reply accurately. Thanks for your input!
 
phil36

phil36

Senior Member
#4
Feb 12, 2009
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Hi NC,

Could you clarify the following as I am not too sure what it is you are actually saying in regards to one of God's attributes 'omniscience'.
He already knew Adam would disobey and since He allowed this act, I perceive negligible conflict with the concept that God used this occurrence to further reflect on His "image and "likeness" (Gen 1:26) in knowing that man would more so "become like one of Us, to know good and evil" (Gen 3:22).
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Many thanks.
 
N

NetChaplain

Guest
#5
#5
phil36 said:
Hi NC,

Could you clarify the following as I am not too sure what it is you are actually saying in regards to one of God's attributes 'omniscience'.


Many thanks.
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Hey Phil - Thanks for your reply and direct question. My intention is to show that what man did in the beginning was not something that God could say that they were not supposed to do, for He knew they would disobey, and the disobedience was used to learn what God wanted them to know concerning that fact that, "there is none good but one, that is, God" (Mat 19:17).
God's blessings to your Family!
 
phil36

phil36

Senior Member
#6
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
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#6
Hi NC,

Thanks for reply. And yet God did say they were not supposed to, infact He commanded them not to (Gen 2:16-17; cf. 3:11). And because they disobeyed they faced the consequence of their action. God in His Sovereignty knew what was going to happen - but He still commanded Adam/Eve not to.

What happened in the garden was not some lesson to teach Adam/Eve that God alone was good. If what you are saying is correct then God created evil to teach Adam/Eve for the sole purpose of teaching - God alone is good. Also, Why the need for the cross? The cross is pointless, if Adams fall was just didactic of God's goodness.

Going back to your OP, you imply that Adam had knowledge of 'evil' before the fall. which actually makes the the command about the tree mute and pointless. This is quite a serious assumption.

1) It makes God's command pointless and mute
2) Throws suspect on the rest of scripture

Another serious point is this:

I perceive negligible conflict with the concept that God used this occurrence to further reflect on His "image and "likeness" (Gen 1:26) in knowing that man would more so "become like one of Us, to know good and evil" (Gen 3:22).
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This is erroneous and dangerous. You are basically saying here that God used the Fall to make Adam and Eve understand Good and Evil - like God does. Again why the need for the cross? Why would Jesus need to be the seconad Adam

It's a dangerous thing to take one attribute of God and let your imagination run wild....it leads to thinking far of the mark. You would better to stick with what the bible actually says about omniscience.. rather than wrong theology.
 
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NetChaplain

Guest
#7
#7
phil36 said:
God in His Sovereignty knew what was going to happen - but He still commanded Adam/Eve not to.
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Appreciate your input which is understandably sensible. I believe His way of teaching them was in the manner it transpired because it would be difficult to find reason thinking God did not expect them to disobey when He knew they would, otherwise it would appear that God did not have foreknowledge. There are no others means by which God teaches us than through instructions and commands. I also believe the instruction in this concept is in more of that which concerns the fact that He foreknew it. Omniscience is an attribute that never ceases to teach.

I wouldn't consider these concepts I'm sharing to be theology because Scripture does not address them, but I believe contemplating God's attributes of which the Bible is not clear for the right reason can be useful, if it doesn't clearly conflict with Scripture.

God's blessings to your Family, and God Be blessed!
 
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