quote:
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. I believe this because were we in communion, there would be no need for free will as communion was the only decision needed. Once you catch a cab, you no longer drive.
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)IMHO
Yep, a truly complicated parable.
I think free will is already there, but we are adviced not to abuse it. I am trying to re-model the scenario in an alternative way,
First, it's about God's words in His absence relative to Adam. I thus think more about as Bible to mankind. As Bible refers to the words of God while in His absence (relative to us) and Adam symbolically represents Mankind in my scenario.
Second, by nature, the Tree with Apple itself is not something evil or else it wont be present in Eden. Yet you are adviced not to eat it for a reason, it potentially may *lead* you away from God, as after eating it, you may think that you are in an equal status with God.
Ok, let me put it straight here. In this model, the Tree with apple represents *Science*. Apple is with an *nuclear*. At the moment you eat that apple you'll know about *science* and *nuclear*, in a sense of *Knowledge* and *Power*, capable of serving *Good* and *Evil* (more of an attempt to abit abstractly re-relate those highlighted terms)
Now you start to explore into the *knowledge* part and are more ignorant about God's words - the Bible. Start to question God and His words with your scientific knowledge, at the same time turning away from God, and thinking that you can live without God or even that you are God.
Ultimately, God allows you to do that, as a result of the granting of freewill. So a more responsible saying from Him is "He kicked you out of Eden". You are no longer in the Kingdom of God.
Reality reconciliation testing of this model shows that when this *apple* drops on the head of Isaac Newton, it's an explosion of *science*. What if the *apple* drops on Adam's head, could it be a nuclear explosion, fortunately it never happened yet (but still it's quite a point to be worried about, to Adam atleast
).
I dont know how to explain it more clearly. Treat it as a madeup I wrote for you to chew about as you wish (and dont be so serious about it :wink: ).
Oh, I by no means meant that the parable should be translated this way.
This message has been edited by Hawkins, 03-08-2006 02:03 AM
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