The tree of knowledge of good and evil

  • 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.

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#81
3. If you believe in the Lamb's book of life then have you ever considered that the serpent might have been the tree of knowledge of good and evil since the written spoken word wasn't given until the days of Moses.
i don't think Moses got it wrong when he stylussed Genesis to papyrus, no.

he didn't write down a corrupted oral tradition; he met with God face to face. that's where he got his info.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#82
He must know a greater good would come from it.
it's good "from" evil.

we know how what was meant for our harm, God turned into our good.

before anyone had ever suffered harm, none of us knew that.

we are a sign to the angels, and will be their judges.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#83
They were the smartest humans that every existed. Despite this they choose to disobey.... for wisdom.
Well, Adam chose. but Woman was deceived. how crafty is the Serpent then, to have tricked her? And how wise is Adam, to not have been deceived?
the account is far more complex than the superficial reading!

too many people read Genesis 3 like Adam and Woman were idiots.
thank you for recognizing they are far from it :)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#84
To answer your question, your belief in Satan is the reason your are not in the garden.
it's not about sex.

it's about two trees, and the Devil, and two of the wisest people who have ever lived, who had in themselves no sin or death, and no shame, and walked with God until one fell, murdered, and the other dove after her, willingly setting aside his life.

it's about Christ.

Adam is a prefigure of Christ, per Romans.
Howso?
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,635
113
#85
Cast out of what? Heaven, right? That is why Jesus said , if ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask.
Oh come off it and say what you want to say.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,635
113
#86
Adam and eve (like us) are little gods and therefore able to choose for themselves. Unlike an animal say. They were the smartest humans that every existed. Despite this they choose to disobey.... for wisdom.
Wisdom from below.


“15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing arethere. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,137
29,452
113
#87
it's not about sex.

it's about two trees, and the Devil, and two of the wisest people who have ever lived, who had in themselves no sin or death, and no shame, and walked with God until one fell, murdered, and the other dove after her, willingly setting aside his life.
it's about Christ.
Adam is a prefigure of Christ, per Romans.
Howso?
*Raises hand* He sacrificed his life for his beloved!

:D

You taught me that :)
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,817
1,073
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
#88
.
While this research is interesting, the explanation is inadequate for explaining the fall

In the past, I was certain that the fruit contained something in it; but Eve
was the first to taste the fruit and when she did; nothing happened. She
went right on in the buff as usual and didn't become sensitive about her
appearance till Adam tasted it and then they both together set about
fabricating some rudimentary loin cloths to cover their pubic areas. In other
words: the first thing to go haywire was their sense of decency relative to
sex and the human body.

FAQ: Why wasn't the woman's moral perception altered when she tasted the
forbidden fruit?

REPLY: It was apparently God's decision that if sin and death were to come
into the world, they would come via a lone male's actions just as life and
righteousness would later be offered to the world via a lone male's actions
per Rom 5:12-21.

FAQ: Eve was fully constructed from material taken from Adam's body prior
to his tasting the forbidden fruit so it was impossible for him to pass his
fallen condition to her via heredity. Well; if her own fallen condition wasn't
due to the fruit, nor due to heredity, then whence did she obtain it?

REPLY: Mr. Serpent is the logical source, a.k.a. the Devil (Rev 20:2) He has
the power of death (Heb 2:14) and the ability to tamper with the human
body and the human mind in ways not easily detected; e.g. Luke 13:16,
Mark 5:1-5, and Eph 2:2.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,817
1,073
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
#89
.
The most effective lies are what's called a half truth; roughly defined as a
statement that contains an element of truth, but the statement isn't the
whole truth and nothing but the truth. For example Gen 3:2-4;


"The woman said to the serpent: We may eat fruit from the trees in the
garden, but God did say: You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the
middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die. You will not
surely die; the serpent said to the woman"


Was the serpent's reply true? Yes, the woman survived her own taste of the
fruit, viz: she didn't die. But was the serpent's reply the whole truth? No.


On the surface, the serpent's reply wasn't what I'd call misinformation-- it
was more like missing information, viz: it was a half truth, which is even
worse. The thing is: the woman didn't know Adam's taste would be the
trigger. The serpent took advantage of her ignorance by leaving that part
out of his statement.


NOTE: The woman's quote itself was a half truth. God hadn't said "you must
not touch it". In other words: the woman interpreted His instructions at Gen
2:16-17 instead of following them to the letter. However, although her quote
wasn't entirely true, it was an innocent mistake; whereas the serpent's half
truth was a deliberate deception. (cf. Matt 4:1-10)
_
 

UnoiAmarah

Junior Member
Jul 28, 2017
907
141
43
#90
He changed Woman's name to Eve. then, God covered them with a garment not made by human hands with the shedding of innocent blood.
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

I think you missed the most significant reference made in verses on the issue,
it was at this moment He said BEHOLD Adam had become like one of us
why do you suppose He said that at that moment, not sooner, not later?
Don't need to suppose, unless you eyes didn't hear what was written,

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:5
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: Gen 3:22


I still am amused that being created in the likeness and image of God that you find it so difficult to grasp that the man born not of flesh and blood, nor the will of man could be 'as' gods, yet a person born to a female is God.


Who was He talking to and why would He say that to them?

heresy can't cogently answer that, but orthodoxy can. it's something church leaders think we are too stupid to be able to understand, and maybe they are right.
What do you think the chance is that the anwswer is 'your momma'.... Who said he said it to them, he said us, but keep that between us, ok?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#91
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Satan is a líar, and was murdering Woman by deception when he said this.

therefore why did he say this? how does it help him deceive and murder her?

why does God say Adam has become like one of us (who is "us"? ), and not Woman? why wait until after the judgement has been given and the gospel preached and received? why is this worthy of God exclaiming "Behold!"?
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,635
113
#92
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

I think you missed the most significant reference made in verses on the issue,


Don't need to suppose, unless you eyes didn't hear what was written,

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:5
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: Gen 3:22


I still am amused that being created in the likeness and image of God that you find it so difficult to grasp that the man born not of flesh and blood, nor the will of man could be 'as' gods, yet a person born to a female is God.




What do you think the chance is that the anwswer is 'your momma'.... Who said he said it to them, he said us, but keep that between us, ok?
You missed the point: the offense was not that man and woman knew good and evil. The offense was how they came to know good and evil. Man was always destined to know good and evil. But it was always in and through Christ, the Son of God, that knowledge of good and evil was to come to man.

The reason is this: if man were to obtain the knowledge of good and evil in their own strength and by their own understanding then their wisdom would be subject to creation; something not eternal. They would then move and plan according to the needs of the creation and the creature whose ways are subject to decay and loss. They would live to fulfill the needs of the flesh only and, since every man possessed their own unique flesh, each man would establish his or her own unique set of rules. Each man's needs would be the dominant motivation in each man's lives. That is lawlessness: everyone doing what is right in his own eyes.

However, God destined that man should receive the knowledge of good and evil by the Spirit: by following what their Father showed them and putting in to practice what they learned. In this way, in this higher way, man's wisdom is not subject to creation nor is it subject to the whims of man. In this way man could bear the image and likeness of their Father and give of Himself all that is required for abundant life. The promise of this life, the life in the Spirit, is not secured by a creation that is returning to the dust, but by God Himself who is eternal and not subject to decay.

THIS WAS THE LIE TO EVE AND ADAM: that they can be like God by their own strength. That, my friends, is Satanism at its core. A foundational principle of Satanism is "Do what thou wilt". This is the cornerstone of the lie: that you are already "like god" because you can choose to live a life independent of any input. No, we become like God, our Father, by only doing what we see our Father doing in Christ the Son. God, Himself, gave His Kingdom to His Son and only those in the Son may rightfully rule the creation.

Satan knows this difference. So he creates religious systems that pivot on a man's ability to earn favor with God apart from Christ. This is the old lie simply retold. Our enemy is not creative: he just modifies old lies to fit the current narrative.
 

UnoiAmarah

Junior Member
Jul 28, 2017
907
141
43
#93
THIS WAS THE LIE TO EVE AND ADAM: that they can be like God by their own strength. That, my friends, is Satanism at its core. .
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Prov 15:28

It would seem that the male and female being created in the image and likeness of the their Creator, then that would infer by implication that they were like their Creator. After all, it is written that God makes all things 'in kind'.
  • And God made the beast of the earth after his kind
  • and cattle after their kind,
  • Let us make man in our image, after our likeness
As you stated, the serpent said they would be like God, so do you think that being like God is the same as being God? So if you believe that man is made in the likeness of God then why would you accuse the serpent of lying if he said they would be like God.
You missed the point: the offense was not that man and woman knew good and evil.
The point is, a serpent is a liar that denies the truth, right?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Tim 3:16
 

Beckworth

Active member
May 15, 2019
616
215
43
#94
It's still a false notion. The very fact that satan and his followers sinned is proof angel's Can sin. You can't set them aside because it disproves your theory.
I think this is a little too harsh and perhaps not correct either. Luke 20:36 Jesus compares people to “the angels” which is only what gif1 has done. If Jesus can do it…..Also in Matt. 12:25 and Luke 20:36.

Also, Satan and his helpers, the angels who sinned are no longer in heaven—God cast them out. 2 Peter 2:4 and Rev. 12:9
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,635
113
#95
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Prov 15:28

It would seem that the male and female being created in the image and likeness of the their Creator, then that would infer by implication that they were like their Creator. After all, it is written that God makes all things 'in kind'.
  • And God made the beast of the earth after his kind
  • and cattle after their kind,
  • Let us make man in our image, after our likeness
As you stated, the serpent said they would be like God, so do you think that being like God is the same as being God? So if you believe that man is made in the likeness of God then why would you accuse the serpent of lying if he said they would be like God.


The point is, a serpent is a liar that denies the truth, right?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Tim 3:16
Man was already like God. The manner in which he would come to know good and evil was clearly established: by listening to his Father.

The serpent's issue was NOT that he denied the truth but perverted it and then suggested that woman disobey her Father. God said "Do not eat of the tree" the serpent told woman to "eat of the tree".

Then this is recorded:

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate."

Then John wrote this, giving further revelation regarding Eve's situation:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Woman saw that the tree was good for food = lust of the flesh
..that it was pleasant to the eyes = lust of the eyes
..desirable to make one wise = pride of life

Here, John explains that Eve's temptation is still the primary temptation of man. Now, it's not that man has a fruit tree from which to eat. No. It's that man has the ability to choose to live apart from the will of God.

John's admonition is "do not love the world". Here, "world" is the systems the enemy has established based upon wisdom from below. Man, to have eternal life, is to always do the will of Father God.

And regarding this:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Tim 3:16
The lesson is always "don't be evil" and that Satan opposes all that is good for man.

Answer a couple questions for me, will you?
Is the serpent evil?
Did the serpent oppose God?

Please answer these questions with a "yes" or "no".

To be honest, your tone seems like guarded Satanism. Please correct me if I am wrong.
 

SonJudgment

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2024
695
368
63
#96
There would no evil for them to know if they did not eat and there is really just no good reason for them to eat. God told them the truth from the beginning and made everything good from the beginning so there is no truthful point to gain knowledge of good and evil. Yet all is not lost, thanks to Jesus as shown in his resurrection there is a promise that evil will not last forever and will be defeated and that good and immortal life with God can be achieved in the end thanks to Jesus birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, and promise to return again at the end to save all those that believe in him and the eternal promises of God.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,843
1,635
113
#97
There would no evil for them to know if they did not eat and there is really just no good reason for them to eat. God told them the truth from the beginning and made everything good from the beginning so there is no truthful point to gain knowledge of good and evil. Yet all is not lost, thanks to Jesus as shown in his resurrection there is a promise that evil will not last forever and will be defeated and that good and immortal life with God can be achieved in the end thanks to Jesus birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, and promise to return again at the end to save all those that believe in him and the eternal promises of God.
By the time of Genesis 3, Satan had already rebelled. So there most certainly was evil. However, God intended for the promised son to judge angels. Because this was not fulfilled by Adam who fell, the One promised had to arise later (in time and space) in Christ. Now all who are in Christ are destined to judge angels as they are conformed to His image.
 

SonJudgment

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2024
695
368
63
#98
By the time of Genesis 3, Satan had already rebelled. So there most certainly was evil. However, God intended for the promised son to judge angels. Because this was not fulfilled by Adam who fell, the One promised had to arise later (in time and space) in Christ. Now all who are in Christ are destined to judge angels as they are conformed to His image.
I don't really see what it has to do with angels besides that the angels were made to guard the way to the tree of life after the man and woman and serpent were cast out of the garden.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,834
13,558
113
#99
I don't really see what it has to do with angels besides that the angels were made to guard the way to the tree of life after the man and woman and serpent were cast out of the garden.
Remember that the angels saw all those things happen, that they had seen Satan corrupt himself and deceive 1/3 of the angels, and then saw God create a world full of biological life capable of reproduction, and plant the garden, then create Adam and a wife for him.

and then the angels saw what the Serpent did, and the introduction of sin into the earth, and death.

so when God says "Behold! Adam has become like one of us" there are only a few choices for who God is telling to behold this:
  • He is just talking to Himself
  • He is speaking to Woman
  • He is speaking to the animals
  • He is speaking to the angels
the point being that all these things in Genesis 1-3 are taking place after the angels in heaven had seen war and seen corruption and seen perhaps the most powerful angel there is be thrown out of heaven. And then they see God doing these things, the beginning of the gospel.

They are not going to see what is happening as disconnected from what has happened to them, and it's not disconnected - Christ is the answer to all these things, and Adam is a prefigure of Him.

we will judge angels, we know that. which ones? For what crimes?
and we see Woman condemning Satan here.

It's all part together of one big picture
 

SonJudgment

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2024
695
368
63
Remember that the angels saw all those things happen, that they had seen Satan corrupt himself and deceive 1/3 of the angels, and then saw God create a world full of biological life capable of reproduction, and plant the garden, then create Adam and a wife for him.

and then the angels saw what the Serpent did, and the introduction of sin into the earth, and death.

so when God says "Behold! Adam has become like one of us" there are only a few choices for who God is telling to behold this:
  • He is just talking to Himself
  • He is speaking to Woman
  • He is speaking to the animals
  • He is speaking to the angels
As far as I know God made everything good originally and that Satan fell in the moment he lied to the woman, she fell in the moment she believed Satan and did eat and give to her husband, and he fell in the moment that he hearkened unto his wife and ate also. As for the angels, they are first mentioned after the fall in the garden and the casting out in order to guard the way to the tree of life lest man put forth his hand and eat also and live forever.