THE FALL OF MAN

Genesis 3: 1-13 & 2 Corinthians 11: 1-15

The Reformer's Fire
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Exposition by Max A Forsythe

Question 13:

Q: Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A: Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Dr Green in his wonderful Harmony of the Westminster Presbyterian Standards, observes that the Shorter Catechism names one factor in the fall of man. The Larger Catechism adds a second and the Confession notes a third factor. Briefly, these three factors which are learned from the Scriptures include:

Before we consider these three factors in the fall of man, it would be wise to say something about the historical nature of this event which was passed down through the generations of Adam's seed to be finally officially recorded in the Torah by Moses. Perhaps the most incredible part of the narrative in chapter three is the stalking, talking serpent who convinced Eve of the wisdom of her own temptations. Here we have a serpent hanging around the tree, probably in the branches. By itself, very many of the worldly crowd would find the biblical record to be suspect. Of course, the same crowd would probably not accept the factuality of this report even if old Satan himself would slink into their presence. However, there are two ancient traditions which affirm the association of the satanic snake. In the ancient Chinese script, the picto-word for devil is actually represented by a winged snake in a tree. Second, the precolumbian Aztecs worshipped a winged serpent god and sacrificed thousands of young girls to him every single year for several generations. Please, let us not use this as evidence that snakes once flew as we ponder the curse upon satan's representative in chapter three.

No indeed, let us get our focus correct on the ancient association between devilish behavior and character with the serpent, winged or not. It has been shown in the detailed study of folk legends and folk history that there are very many ancient ethnic tales which take biblical truths and evolve them into something very different. Paul speaks against this tendency in our New Testament lesson for today, which we will consider in due time. But at the very least, if you are not yet receptive to the truth plainly taught here about our first parents, at least make a prepatory Barthian leap of faith to consider the reality of man's sinfulness which had to come from somewhere. Perhaps in time, if you are willing to accept the truthfulness of our sinful nature, you will like Newsweek magazine, some years ago, admit that all of mankind is scientifically proven to be descended from one man and one woman! From the Bible you can even actually learn their names.

What is more important, from the sacred text you can learn about that dreaded condition of sin which causes you to feel guilty even when the world tells you that you don't have a conscience and that no actions should ever be considered bad in and of themselves? If you have an ounce of conscience or immortal soul there is in this biblical record true truth which you must confront either in this life or on the last day when it will be to late to repent and believe in the One who came to undo the great tragedy described in our passage today. Let us go on to consider the three biblical factors in this tragic scenario. We will consider them in reverse from our ordering earlier.

The first factor from chapter 6 of the Confession itself is that "their sin God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory." Now unlike Adam immediately claimed, he had not been set up and entrapped by the woman placed in the garden with him, God did not cause Adam or Eve's fall. G.I. Williamson draws this humanistic attitude out of Genesis 3:12 as he notes that "Adam begins to act as if the original defect were not his act, performed in actual history, but rather something inherent in creation itself, and thus ...prior to, or "behind" history." And what lies behind history? "Only the creative work of God. Thus Adam" and many theologians who call themselves Neo-orthodox "would ultimately place the blame for man's plight upon God himself!" You see, if the actions described here are not truly true, but only symbolic myth, then like Karl Barth and all the rest of those who would have the symbolism but not the facts of Scripture, then someone other than mankind must be at fault.

Our beloved biblical doctrines will not allow that. The Confession in the opening paragraph of chapter six specifically demonstrates that while God is not the author of sin, He knowingly has planned a means of turning that terrible act of rebellion, to order it in the fullness of time to His own glory. Satan will in the end not have his own way with the world and the creatures placed there by the God of heaven. Instead, God's will through providence will win out after many twists and turns in history. Already within chapter three of Genesis, God promises that Jesus Christ will crush Satan's head while suffering a mere strike at His heel.

Our second factor revolves around this "work" of the tempter, one Lucifer or Satan as the scriptures describe him. Again, the worldly crowd would reduce such a personage in our day to a mere dark side of the force instead of a fallen angel who had also been created a free moral agent. He and many of his fallen angel/demons had chosen like Adam to ignore the greater wisdom of Almighty God the Creator and proceeded to develop their innate rebellious nature in opposition to God. Having chosen at some time, we know not when, to oppose his own Creator, he as the Scriptures declare, takes great delight in seducing others to share his own miserable condition. Much later on in history, the Satan tempted the second Adam, Jesus Christ and failed to duplicate the success of Genesis three. Thereupon he turned his energies to destroy the Christ through fallen human agents.

That he failed in this endeavor was only because, it suited God the Father to raise up the second Adam from the grave and lift Him up to sit at His right hand in heaven. Only a little while longer will we have to put up with his shenanigans. Martin Luther threw an ink bottle at him and John Calvin endured with the patience of Job many and multiple afflictions in this life. So too are we tested day in and day out by many wishes of our own and attractive devices of the devil himself. In one work place, I have seen one specific "she-devil" at work. She even took the nickname of a notorious "gold digger" from the roaring twenties, then successfully seduced an unsuspecting Christian whose feelings and emotions she toyed with for many months on end before going on to more profitable pursuits. I have also seen men and boys practice downright wicked agendas which they could only have learned from the father of lies himself.

Finally we come to the teaching of our shorter catechism for the third and essential factor in the fall of man. Very simply, the record speaks for itself: "Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, sinned against God." Paul speaks of this matter of factly when he addresses the Corinthian congregation. "I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." It seems that people never change. Whether they are the first generation or the present, it doesn't matter, the human tendency is to be led astray from obedience to the God of heaven. In the context of the Corinthians passage, even leaders in Christ's Church show this tendency towards following the temptations of the evil one.

In chapter eleven we must follow the assertion of R.V.G. Tasker, that Paul was willing to accept gifts for his support. But in the ministry at Corinth he must be very careful not to lay himself open to charges that he labors only for the profit to be had from his converts. Thus, his refusal to take money in that region is specifically aimed at the cultural situation and the presence of "professional" enemies. By this costly witness, Paul is able to speak freely and to the needs of the Christians of the area. How many times in the history of the church would it have been wise to enable financially independent ministers to speak freely to local congregations who would hold them hostage to the minimal salary that might or might not be paid on time. Too many times in my life have I seen ministers submit themselves to the desires of their congregation so that they could provide for their families. Unfortunately when troubles come to congregations, this is usually the first weapon of choice. And not only in congregations.

When I was in Seminary, I was providentially able to pay my own way. Many of my friends quietly told me that they would like to take a public stand in support of my doctrines, but - their presbytery's aid and the school's scholarships might suddenly disappear. It is indeed a luxury to be financially independent enough to tell people what they need to hear. Paul understands this perfectly well and by having the proper independence is able to charge the Corinthians not to follow the example of mother Eve.

There is a higher calling for Christ's Church, to prepare ourselves for the Bridegroom when He comes in glory. Yes, it is difficult to put away every sinful tendency, but the goal is to overcome by the power of the Spirit in our lives the temptation of our first parents. That temptation, to be led astray from our sincere and pure devotion to God in Jesus Christ. May we realize today the fact of temptation to sin in our lives even as we read about it in the lives of our first parents and the first generation of Christians. And may we all here today resolve to hold onto Jesus Christ and to worship Him sincerely and in truth, this day and all days through eternity in this life and the next.

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