Expert: Scott Talbot - 9/21/2005

Question
Thanks, Scott.
I should be open about the fact that my questions were for the purpose of surveying the views of Bible teachers on AllExperts.com, rather than because I don't already have opinions about these matters.

I put my question to a number of scripture experts on this service, and you were the only one who did not cite Gen. 3:22-24.  I am uneasy with the fact that you offered your own opinion about why God ejected Adam and Eve from the garden, and then, as though it were an afterthought ("What's interesting is that the Bible mentions another reason"), gave the reason scripture itself gives. I'd argue that the reason scripture itself gives is *the* answer to my original question.

Also, in your interpretation, Genesis 3 details punishments that God hands down for disobeying, and in your interpretation God rejects them. (You said that Eden was  God's "special" place of "personal fellowship", and that God kicked them out of it.)

In my view, these interpretations of yours are not founded in the text. If you'd like to dialogue further about this, have a look at

www.simplegospel.net

Peace,
Webb Mealy
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Followup To
Question -
Can you provide scripture to back up your answers:
1. that God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden to punish them for disobeying,
and
2. that God's kicking them out was a rejection of fellowship on his part, because Eden the only place of close fellowship with God. Doesn't the scripture say they were put there because it was their job to tend it, not that it was God's limited place of residence?
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Followup To
Question -
In a paragraph or so, can you tell me why Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden?
Answer -
Hi, Webb. Nice to hear from you!

The reason Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden is that they disobeyed God, and God punished them.

When God created the universe, it was originally a perfect place. And the Garden of Eden was the "Paradise" in which he chose to initially place Adam and Eve (Genesis 1-2). It was here that God Himself came and visited with them, and Adam and Eve enjoyed a close personal relationship with God (Genesis 3:8).

When Adam and Eve sinned against God by disobeying His command (Genesis 2:15-17), the relationship with God was broken, mankind was transferred from the realm of life to the realm of death (including physical and spiritual death), and they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God's special place of fellowship and communion with them.

Since then, every human being ever born into this world, as descendants of Adam and Eve, has been born a sinner--a sinner by birth, by nature, and by choice. Just as Adam and Eve, we are alienated from God, condemned, and dwell in the realm of death.

But God became a human being--Jesus Christ--so that He could die in our place, serve our sentence for us. And, by doing this, He has made a way for us to find life again, forgiveness of all sin, a restored relationship with God, and deliverance from our death sentence. All we need to do is reach out and take the free gift of salvation that Jesus Christ offers.

Romans 10:9-10,13 says, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Webb, have you received God's free gift of salvation? Would you like to?

Please feel free to write back with any further questions.

Scott
Answer -
Hi, Webb!

Thanks for the follow-up questions.

1. Regarding Adam & Eve's eviction from the Garden of Eden as punishment for disobeying God - Read Genesis 3. Adam and Eve disobeyed and, when God confronted them with their sin, He pronounced judgment on them (vv. 16ff). I believe their banishment from the garden (v. 23) was part of this punishment. What's interesting is that the Bible mentions another reason for this. Verses 22-24 tell us that there was another tree called "The Tree of Life" that was capable of providing eternal life. God wanted to restrict their access to this tree so that he could establish the conditions by which eternal life was obtained.

2. Regarding your second statement, I have some reservations. You said that that God's kicking them out was a rejection of fellowship on his part. I believe this is true. But you also said that Eden was the only place of close fellowship with God. I don't know that I would agree with that. In Genesis 3:8, the implication is that God, in human form, made it a habit of coming to the garden in the cool of the day (evening?), presumably to visit with Adam and Eve. This personal interaction stopped after the Fall. While it's not clear, the Garden of Eden seems to represent God's original ideal for mankind--a paradise, which included personal interaction and fellowship with Him. (Certainly God was not limited to this area, as He is not limited by time and space.)

Yes, it was their job to tend the garden, but this was part of the pleasure of living there. Before the Fall, work was not repulsive or undesireable (see Genesis 3:17-18). It was an enjoyable part of life.

Does this help?

Scott  

Answer
Thanks, Webb, for being honest about the fact that you were testing me.

Let me say that I believe, as you said, that the Bible is our only reliable source of truth. The Bible is our guide for all that we believe and do.

Keep up your studying and your commitment to the objective truth of God's Word, my friend!

Scott