NIV writes:
Gen 2:9-In the middle of the garden were the tree of
life and the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil. Gen 2:15-17-The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
This parable has appeared in many forms and in many debates throughout many threads in this forum and other forums. I wished to add a few assertions to the mix (of this endless debate)
1) Free will would not exist were we never to have fallen.
2) God knew that humans would behave as they did. The Fall was no surprise to God.
3) Genesis need not be literal. Symbolism does not refute the overall truth of God. (Nor do metaphors, nor do parables)
This message has been edited by Phat, 10-22-2005 12:42 PM