Eden and Innocence
From 2Timothy2.org
Objectives
- Students will interpret the Edenic covenant through the perspective of dispensationalism.
Opening
Main Body
The Bible contains a significant number of covenants. So how do we view this covenants from a dispensational perspective.
Eden
We are not going to take a stance on whether or not there is an Edenic Covenant or whether there is something like a covenant, say a pseudo-covenant in the garden of Eden. Instead, let's look at ways in which this looks like a covenant and how that impacts us.
Genesis 1:28-30
- What parties are discussed in Genesis 1:28-30?
- God and humanity. Adam is representative of the whole human race. How do we know? Because Eve is also responsible for the conditions although she is not explicitly mentioned.
- What requirements are set forth in Genesis 1:28-30?
- Dominion, man is to subdue and fill the earth. Note: this is not given as a requirement in the sense of condition on a covenant but rather as a divine order.
- What promises are made in Genesis 1:28-30?
- God promises to provide food.
- Are the promises in Genesis 1:28-30 conditional or unconditional?
- The promises made in Genesis 1:28-30 are unconditional promises.
Genesis 2:15-17
- What parties are discussed in Genesis 2:15-17?
- God and Adam
- What are the requirements set forth in Genesis 2:15-17?
- Tend and keep the garden, not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- What are the promises set forth in Genesis 2:15-17?
- The ability to freely eat of all of the other trees. However, there is also an implied promise of eternal life. The promise is implied as being the opposite of the death that is promised for failure.
- Are the promises in Genesis 2:15-17 conditional or unconditional?
- The promises made in Genesis 2:15-17 are conditioned.
All together we have a covenant of pseudo-covenant in which God unconditionally promises to provide Adam with food and conditionally promises Adam life if Adam will keep himself from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
