Thursday, January 13, 2011

Theological Implications of Genesis 3

Power

Before God even enters this scene it is clear that he is an authority. Neither the serpent nor the woman suggest that God does not have the right to prohibit certain behaviors. Neither does Adam. His authority is everywhere assumed. His power is further demonstrated as he dispenses judgments. Everyone in this passage obeys him or suffers for their disobedience.

Grace

God approaches Adam and Eve, who are suffering under burdens of guilt and fear, and calls to them. He invites them to himself and requests what could have been cathartic confession. He made them clothing to cover their nakedness and allowed them to live. In light of his power this is a great display of graciousness.

Speech

The characters in this account talk about what God has “said”. There is disagreement as to the particulars of His speech, however, there’s no question that He spoke. As the scene unfolds we hear from Him ourselves (v 9). Much of this passage is taken up by divine dialogue. He speaks.

Foreknowledge

God is able to tell Adam, Eve, and Satan what will happen before it happens. Some of this is in the context of a divine curse. Most important in terms of salvation history is his foreknowledge of the ultimate defeat of Satan by the seed of the woman. Knowledge of unrealized future possibilities (counterfactuals of freedom) is also implied (v 22).

Justice

Punishment is doled out to those who disobeyed Him. Nothing in the passage implies anything other than His innocence in the matter. His right to have a forbidden tree is never questioned. His right to command that no one eat from the tree is never contested. That Adam and Eve (with Satan’s encouragement) eat from the tree is never blamed on God. It is implied that Adam and Eve made a choice to disobey, that God is just in punishing them.

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