FORGET NONE OF HIS BENEFITS, volume 8, number 32, August 6, 2009

. . . she took from its fruit and ate, Genesis 3:6.

The Cosmic Effects of Adam’s Fall

Lee Strobel, the former atheist and investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, now a Christian author and apologist, in his book, The Case for Faith, chronicles the life of Charles Templeton, a contemporary and friend of Billy Graham. Both Graham and Templeton worked together in the late 1940’s, preaching evangelistic meetings across the U.S. and Europe . Templeton, however, left the faith and became an atheist. When Strobel asked why, Templeton responded by saying, “There is so much suffering and injustice in the world. If God exists, then surely He would do something to stop it.” Templeton is not the first person to raise this objection, nor will he be the last. How do we explain the existence of a God who would allow such evil and wickedness to abound, One who seemingly does nothing about it?

The answer is found in the straightforward account of the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden. Many simply see this account as a myth, legend, or parable; but this narrative form of writing was not common in the day it was written, suggesting its supernatural origin. This means that Adam and Eve were real people. Jesus (Matthew 19:4-5) and the Apostle Paul (Romans 5:12ff) certainly thought so. Besides, what other explanation makes sense? If there is no such thing as a fall into sin, then there is no hope—only misery. Then the world is an awful, dreadful place, bereft of redemption of any kind. This, of course, is the conclusion to which Templeton and so many other atheists naturally go. Tsunamis, earthquakes, wars, genocide, child abuse, and divorce happen because the world is marred, corrupted by the fall into sin. Everything, literally everything in the cosmos is adversely affected by it.

We find in the Genesis account of the fall into sin (Genesis 3:1-7) four divisions of the text which make known the works of the devil in today’s world. In verses 1-3 we see a real Satan who deceives an ignorant and unprotected Eve. Satan spoke through the serpent and deceived the woman. Paul speaks of the deceitfulness of the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3). She should have known something was amiss. After all—animals should not be able to speak. Satan exploited Eve’s ignorance by asking, “Indeed has God said? You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?” She was not yet created when God gave Adam the law concerning the tree of life and the tree of knowing good and evil. Apparently Adam had failed to teach her the exact nature of this command. God never said that they could not eat from any tree of the Garden. Quite the contrary—in His beneficence He said that they could eat of any tree except one. Eve’s ignorance was exacerbated by Adam’s failure to lead her as he ought. He was the federal head of his household. He should have stepped between the devil and Eve, telling him to speak directly to him and not come at his wife. All men tend to follow after Adam, abdicating their headship over their wives; and women tend to usurp their husband’s headship.

In verses 4-5 we note a lying Satan lying about God. The Hebrew text is quite emphatic and most English translations don’t capture the intensity of Satan’s response. Literally it is, “No! You will not die.” Here is a direct challenge. To whom will Eve listen—Yahweh Elohim or Satan? Jesus tells us that Satan is a liar (John 8:44) and he plies his trade today with profundity. He convinces people that there is no judgment, that they have nothing to fear, that there is no such place as hell. He convinces them that all roads lead to God, that the sincere Buddhist or Muslim will make it to heaven. He tells them that they have plenty of time to repent. He suggests that repentance is easy so they can go ahead and commit grievous sin. And when they do, he then tells them that repentance is impossible.

In verse 6 we observe the template for all sin. Eve saw, desired, took, ate, and gave the fruit to her husband. The tree of life and the tree of knowing good and evil both deal with the origin of truth or epistemology. To eat from the tree of life means that man finds truth from God, from objective truth outside of himself, from God’s word. To eat from the tree of knowing good and evil means that man looks elsewhere, from within himself (as in the French Enlightenment) or he gives up altogether on the possibility of true knowing (Post Modernism). David saw Bathsheba. He desired her and took her. All sin can be traced to this pattern. Hitler saw Europe , desired it, and took it. The thief sees a car, desires it, and steals it.

And in verse 7 we find the template for man’s desire to cover his shame and guilt. Adam and Eve knew they were naked (the exact opposite of when they both came together in Genesis 2:24-25) and sewed fig leaves with which to cover themselves. The unbeliever tries to cover his shame and guilt by serving the poor, working to alleviate poverty and injustice, laboring to save the environment. He instinctively knows he is guilty before God but he has no way to assuage his sin. He looks for something, anything, to give him peace. The believer can do the same thing—believing that church attendance, reading his Bible, and going on mission trips—will enable him to regain or maintain God’s favor when he sins. Is it a good idea to serve the poor and work for a cleaner environment? Is it a good idea to attend worship and read the Scriptures? Of course! These exercises, however, do not save or sanctify.

The effects of Adam’s fall into sin (the Bible lays the blame on Adam who sinned while Eve was deceived) is profound and far reaching. It literally affects every area of life. I have not the room to even begin approaching the cosmic effects of sin. I do want, however, to remind you of this glorious truth—Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. How did He do so? Our Savior is glorious beyond description and measure. I could speak of His incarnation, temptation, and humiliation (all worthy of extensive treatment) but I will briefly focus on His exaltation. He made Himself of no reputation but regained that glory at His resurrection and ascension, where He now sits, enthroned, receiving the worship of myriads and myriads of angels and the saints of all the ages. His shameful and humiliating death, through His resurrection, promise a new heaven and a new earth. He is making all things new (Revelation 21:5). He will right all the wrongs and injustices ever committed. He will cause the child to play at the den of the adder. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more suffering or death. He will restore the once pure and pristine world, marred by Adam’s sin, to its original beauty, peace, and tranquility. You gain victory over the schemes of the devil, as well as learning to make sense of the injustices and inequities of this fallen world, by remembering that Christ Jesus has come to destroy the works of the devil. Look to Jesus! Think deeply about His person and work. Ask Him to stir up within you a more profound awareness of His power and glory.

FORGET NONE OF HIS BENEFITS is a weekly devotional by Reverend Al Baker, pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, Connecticut.

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