Note: As a new member I'm not completely sure that I've posted in the correct forum for the topic.
If it's not, my apology and please move it or let me know and I'll move i.
Thank you,
Roger
Introduction
I chose this topic because it seemed to me that most writing on the subject (that I've read) have not fully plumb the depths of the Bible regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and The Tree of Life. Searching Scripture, I tried to locate all of the verses that I felt were applicable and harmonize them (believing that everything God wrote in the Bible is significant and is there for a reason). As a result, I've developed the following write-up. Please bear in mind that my writing ability is not the best, so I hope that my lack of skill will not dissuade anyone from thinking in depth about what was written.
Do I know that I've gotten everything written entirely correct? No, I'm not 100% certain of that. However, I did work very hard on it and searched Scripture, and Scripture alone, to come to the conclusions I have. Never-the-less and as I do with any writing or interpretation about the Bible that someone else may see, I try to proceed with the utmost caution and trepidation that I do not lead anyone away from God's truth with a false doctrine: it would be exceedingly bad for me to take liberties with the word of God; however, obviously, I am fallible.
I hope that this post might serve as a starting point to spur additional thoughts on the topic to open other lines of reasoning that might be pursued and the readers find it comprehendible.
To many people, the importance of Adam's and Eve's transgression tended to fade, shifting to other sins after the Bible's narrative moved past it. But, I would strongly disagree. I think the purpose of Christ's ministry and His sacrifice was precisely to overturn that specific transgression for reconciliation with God (on behalf of those who are to become saved). Because of Adam's and Eve's transgression, God was made the aggrieved party as His commandment had been violated. The result of this single violation was that God levied a sentence of eternal spiritual death upon everyone ever to be born.
Therefore, I believe that Christ's ministry cannot be correctly understood without having first realized its direct and exclusive tie-in to the remedying of the result of Adam and Eve's transgression, and only the result of Adam's and Eve's transgression.
Since my writing skills leave so much to be desired, I reserve the right to edit/change what I've posted.
Before proceeding further, an explanation of how I perceive the Bible would probably be in order.
1) God moved the writers to write precisely; what, when, and how he wanted it written
2) Perfect in its original form – the original autographs
3) Written solely regarding Jesus and the ministry God the Father assigned Him. Although he is not always prominent or easy to find within it, it is never-the-less about Him. The Bible was not intended as general historical documentation to thoroughly document everything said or done by Christ.
4) Complete within itself (i.e., nothing is needed or permitted outside of itself to qualify or reveal further what has already been written)
5) Should be understood to be its own cross-reference, dictionary, and glossary of terms
6) Has defined the beginning and ending points of spiritual revelation as a perfect lawbook would (i.e., spiritual truth can not continually evolve; otherwise, we could never know if/when we had received it all).
7) No spiritual revelation or evolution of spiritual truth could occur once revelation was completed and closed (Revelation 22:18 - 19) and delivered to mankind once and for all – God has revealed all that He wanted revealed.
8) One wholly integrated book (Genesis – Revelation)
9) Its verses simultaneously reveal two communication levels: the spiritual and the temporal (carnal). Our goal should be to understand the spiritual by using the carnal images, not as the true, but as a shadow of the true. We are to look for, find, and compare only the spiritual with the spiritual.
10) God used, directed, and moved historical allegories, metaphors, similes, parables, and symbols of nations, peoples, history, and individuals as primary literary devices to depict his spiritual principles. Many read the Bible, but few find its gospel.
11) The only book claiming to have a true spiritual authority which defines and sets forth God's mercy and grace (alone) for atonement and forgiveness of Sin and not based upon any of our works or "good deeds."
12) There are many things we care about in this life, but nothing is as important as eternal salvation,
If it's not, my apology and please move it or let me know and I'll move i.
Thank you,
Roger
Introduction
I chose this topic because it seemed to me that most writing on the subject (that I've read) have not fully plumb the depths of the Bible regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and The Tree of Life. Searching Scripture, I tried to locate all of the verses that I felt were applicable and harmonize them (believing that everything God wrote in the Bible is significant and is there for a reason). As a result, I've developed the following write-up. Please bear in mind that my writing ability is not the best, so I hope that my lack of skill will not dissuade anyone from thinking in depth about what was written.
Do I know that I've gotten everything written entirely correct? No, I'm not 100% certain of that. However, I did work very hard on it and searched Scripture, and Scripture alone, to come to the conclusions I have. Never-the-less and as I do with any writing or interpretation about the Bible that someone else may see, I try to proceed with the utmost caution and trepidation that I do not lead anyone away from God's truth with a false doctrine: it would be exceedingly bad for me to take liberties with the word of God; however, obviously, I am fallible.
I hope that this post might serve as a starting point to spur additional thoughts on the topic to open other lines of reasoning that might be pursued and the readers find it comprehendible.
To many people, the importance of Adam's and Eve's transgression tended to fade, shifting to other sins after the Bible's narrative moved past it. But, I would strongly disagree. I think the purpose of Christ's ministry and His sacrifice was precisely to overturn that specific transgression for reconciliation with God (on behalf of those who are to become saved). Because of Adam's and Eve's transgression, God was made the aggrieved party as His commandment had been violated. The result of this single violation was that God levied a sentence of eternal spiritual death upon everyone ever to be born.
Therefore, I believe that Christ's ministry cannot be correctly understood without having first realized its direct and exclusive tie-in to the remedying of the result of Adam and Eve's transgression, and only the result of Adam's and Eve's transgression.
Since my writing skills leave so much to be desired, I reserve the right to edit/change what I've posted.
Before proceeding further, an explanation of how I perceive the Bible would probably be in order.
1) God moved the writers to write precisely; what, when, and how he wanted it written
2) Perfect in its original form – the original autographs
3) Written solely regarding Jesus and the ministry God the Father assigned Him. Although he is not always prominent or easy to find within it, it is never-the-less about Him. The Bible was not intended as general historical documentation to thoroughly document everything said or done by Christ.
4) Complete within itself (i.e., nothing is needed or permitted outside of itself to qualify or reveal further what has already been written)
5) Should be understood to be its own cross-reference, dictionary, and glossary of terms
6) Has defined the beginning and ending points of spiritual revelation as a perfect lawbook would (i.e., spiritual truth can not continually evolve; otherwise, we could never know if/when we had received it all).
7) No spiritual revelation or evolution of spiritual truth could occur once revelation was completed and closed (Revelation 22:18 - 19) and delivered to mankind once and for all – God has revealed all that He wanted revealed.
8) One wholly integrated book (Genesis – Revelation)
9) Its verses simultaneously reveal two communication levels: the spiritual and the temporal (carnal). Our goal should be to understand the spiritual by using the carnal images, not as the true, but as a shadow of the true. We are to look for, find, and compare only the spiritual with the spiritual.
10) God used, directed, and moved historical allegories, metaphors, similes, parables, and symbols of nations, peoples, history, and individuals as primary literary devices to depict his spiritual principles. Many read the Bible, but few find its gospel.
11) The only book claiming to have a true spiritual authority which defines and sets forth God's mercy and grace (alone) for atonement and forgiveness of Sin and not based upon any of our works or "good deeds."
12) There are many things we care about in this life, but nothing is as important as eternal salvation,
