Eden and Innocence

Objectives

• Students will interpret the Edenic covenant through the perspective of dispensationalism.

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? Do the parties come to an agreement?
  • 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. However, we do not see, in this passage the two parties coming to an agreement. For this reason it is hard to argue this is a covenant.

• 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? Do the parties come to an agreement?
  • God and Adam. Again we do not see, in this passage the two parties coming to an agreement. For this reason it is hard to argue this is a covenant.

• 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, some will say 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. Based upon this implied promise some theologian see a covenant here.

• 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 pseudo-covenant in which God unconditionally promises to provide Adam with food and conditionally promises death if Adam does not keep himself from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Effects Today

• Is this still in effect today?
  • There are two perspectives on this. In one perspective after the fall, God immediately changes His dealing with Adam and begins the dispensation of Grace thereby not killing Adam. In the other perspective Adam immediately dies spiritually as he is separated from the life giver.

• According to Ephesians 2:5 what is our spiritual state pre-salvation?
  • Prior to salvation we are spiritually dead.

• What do we learn about the consequences of Adam's sin according to 1 Corinthians 15:21-22?
  • Adam's sin brought death upon all humanity. Notice a few things here. When we talked about Genesis 1:28-30 and 2:15-17 Adam was the only party present but the promises were promises to humanity with Adam as the representative. Similarly, the consequences are consequences to all of humanity with Adam as the representative. I have been careful not to call this a covenant (or deny it is a covenant) but one thing that is clear is that the effects are still seen and felt today. I do not believe that the dispensation of Grace was immediately ushered in rather the death discussed in Genesis 2 is spiritual separation from the life giver and that sam death remains in effect today for all those without Christ.

Innocence

In his Systematic Theology, Geisler argues that God purposes to defeat evil, not to simply annihilate it. Geisler states that "a dispensation is a 'divine order of affairs' or a 'period of administration' in which God works to accomplish his specific purpose, including the defeat of evil. Geisler further discusses "dispensational examinations," exams which in his view demonstrate that in every possible way under every conceivable condition man fails and the only answer is God Himself.

The first period of administration is commonly called the dispensation of innocence.

• How are Adam and Eve described in Genesis 2:25?
  • Adam and Eve are described as having no knowledge of evil. Their lack of knowledge is exemplified by their lack of shame at their nakedness. Together with Genesis 3:5 we see that they had no idea of what evil was and the temptation for evil came from outside of them.

• What event takes place in Genesis 3:1-7?
  • The Fall

• What does The Fall demonstrate about man?
  • Even in complete innocence man still needs God. It is not enough to be created sinless ben in innocence man still failed. The only solution for man is God.

A Covenant of Works?

In some theological systems a Covenant of Works is used to describe the pre-fall state of man. The Westminster Confession of Faith is on of the clearest statements of this Covenant of Works

I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which he has been pleased to express by way of covenant. II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.

First, the Hebrew word for covenant is not used in these passages. Second,