Consequences of the Fall and Contemporary Response
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Feb 20, 2024
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What is revealed about human nature (from Genesis 1-2)?
What is revealed about human nature in Genesis 1-2 is that God created man in his image
and expected all things good. Genesis 1-2 shows that all things were right in the world with God
and his creations. In Genesis, God explicitly said they could eat from any tree except for one, the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What are the consequences of the fall for human nature (from Genesis 3)?
The first consequence of the fall is that humans gained the knowledge of good and evil, which happened when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. This introduced humans to negative
feelings such as shame, guilt, pain, and suffering. In Genesis 2:25, it is mentioned that Adam and
Eve were both naked and unashamed. However, after they ate the forbidden fruit, the man and his wife felt negative emotions like shame and guilt for the first time. This is evident in Genesis 3:7 where it states that "they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves." It was never meant for humans to feel shameful as Adam and Eve did, but it was just a consequence of the fall.
Another consequence of the fall was pain, specifically for women. God cast pain during childbirth upon women due to Eve's disobedience. This is mentioned in Genesis 3:16 where God says, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain, you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
One final consequence of the fall was that humanity lost its purity. Adam and Eve wanted
to become all-knowing like God, which led to the separation between man and God, resulting in a form of spiritual death for man. God is all-knowing and all-good, and as humans wanted to become like God, they became not all-good.
What is revealed about human purpose? What does it mean for humans to flourish, in
other words, to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being?
In Genesis 1-3, we see several aspects of human nature and purpose. Firstly, Genesis 1:27
states that "God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This verse emphasizes that humans are created uniquely connected to God, which signifies a divine purpose. To flourish, humans must live in alignment with God's image and intent. This involves fulfilling the responsibility given in Genesis 1:28, which is to "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it," indicating the role of humans as stewards of the Earth. However, Genesis 3 reveals the disruption of this harmony caused by human disobedience, as Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden tree. This act leads to a rupture in their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being, symbolized by their shame, fear, and expulsion from the Garden of Eden. It shows that to achieve true flourishing, humans must maintain a harmonious relationship with God by following His guidance and boundaries, as disobedience leads to a sense of loss and disconnection.
How would pantheism or atheism (choose one) view human nature, human purpose, and
human flourishing? The pantheistic perspective sees human nature as an integral part of the universe,
portraying us as inherently good and possessing divine qualities. The main objective is to
acknowledge our interconnectedness with the cosmos and strive for a harmonious relationship
with nature while pursuing knowledge and understanding. Ultimately, achieving personal growth
and self-realization by aligning with the natural world leads to inner peace, satisfaction, and a
deep connection with the universe.
"How can an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God allow suffering?" is called the
problem of evil and suffering. Briefly summarize the Christian worldview response to the
problem of evil and suffering.
In the book of Genesis at the beginning of the Bible, it is mentioned that God created a
perfect world that was free from sin, suffering, and evil. The first sin committed was by Adam
and Eve when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which brought suffering
and evil into the world. There have been debates about why an all-powerful and all-knowing
Creator would allow this to happen. However, it can be understood that God does not want
anyone to suffer, but because of the choices and actions that people make, there are
consequences that they must face. The verse Lamentations 3:32-33 explains this beautifully,
stating that although God brings grief, He shows compassion, and His love is unfailing. He does
not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. Even God has experienced suffering through
Christ, who endured the ultimate pain and suffering to end human suffering. By accepting Jesus
into our hearts, we are granted eternal life.
Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and earth, where God will dwell with
humanity, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. These former things will
pass away, and God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
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References
Eng, F. (2023). Why does God allow suffering? | Cru
. Cru.org. https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-
and-grow/life-and-relationships/hardships/why-does-god-allow-suffering.html
Genesis 1-3 (NIV)
. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=genesis%201-3&version=NIV
Shuster M. The mystery of original sin: we don’t know why God permitted the Fall, but we know all too well the evil and sin that still plague us.
Christianity Today
. 2013;57(3):38-
41. Accessed October 10, 2023. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001935909&site=ehost-live&scope=sit