Danger in Misunderstanding the Genesis Tree of Knowledge symbol.

[Radrook]

Misunderstanding what the Tree of Knowledge represented often leads some Bible readers to conclude that Adam and Eve practically incapable of rational thought. Of course that would entail an injustice involving a scheme were creatures are presented with a test they are known incapable of passing and would harmonize with the Satanic conception that God is an untrustworthy scheming fellow who enjoys fooling around with his creatures in that curious way. Goes completely contrary to what we are told about the creator's personality and the quality of his creation. But some will insist that it was so regardless of the biblical indications to the contrary.

One of the reasons why such conclusions are proposed is that interpretations are attempted in what one might view as a contextual vacuum. Such a method is seriously flawed because for one very important reason-the Bible is one book written by many secretaries but proceeding from one author-God. That's why any interpretation must consider what has been previously written and what was subsequently in order to avoid the generation of many serious internal contradictions-especially contradictions which insidiously cast our heavenly father in a very bad light.

 

[com7fy8]

First, the Bible says that what God created was very good. And He created the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; so I would say this means the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was part of God's very good creation. But, even so, the LORD told Adam and Eve not to eat its fruit.

It can be that God tells us, also, not to do certain things, though they could be good. We need to personally submit to God, all the time, in order to do all which He chooses, including if and whom we marry

So, even though the tree was good, they would be disobeying if they ate of its fruit. And our Apostle Paul says there is "the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience," in Ephesians 2:2. So, I see that Satan's evil spirit of disobedience worked in Adam and Eve to have them disobey God. And because Satan gets things the wrong way, his evil spirit had them knowing good and evil in a bad way, so they felt it was bad for their good created bodies to be naked.

But they were created very good. So, if they were created with a very good nature, how could they of their own selves choose what is bad? They were not perfectly good like how Jesus is immune to Satan and his evil spirit. This shows how, even if we now were perfect as created humans, this would not be enough > only God's grace is enough > 2 Corinthians 12:7-15. We need how God is able to correct us and cure us in our nature so we are conformed to the image of His Son Jesus.

Created humans were never meant to be God's perfect beings on this earth. Only Jesus could be the first truly perfect human on this earth . . . "that in all things He may have the preeminence." (see Colossians 1:18)

So, in some way, then, they were not really being tested. But they were put here to be a demonstration of how we humans on our own do not have a chance, and so we trust God and do not depend on our own will's ability.

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

"And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God," (2 Corinthians 3:4-5)

 

[A_Thinker]

Created humans were never meant to be God's perfect beings on this earth. Only Jesus could be the first truly perfect human on this earth . . . "that in all things He may have the preeminence." (see Colossians 1:18)

So, in some way, then, they were not really being tested. But they were put here to be a demonstration of how we humans on our own do not have a chance, and so we trust God and do not depend on our own will's ability.

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

"And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God," (2 Corinthians 3:4-5)

I think that you are very close ...

 

[grasping the after wind]

Misunderstanding what the Tree of Knowledge represented often leads some Bible readers to conclude that Adam and Eve practically incapable of rational thought. Of course that would entail an injustice involving a scheme were creatures are presented with a test they are known incapable of passing and would harmonize with the Satanic conception that God is an untrustworthy scheming fellow who enjoys fooling around with his creatures in that curious way. Goes completely contrary to what we are told about the creator's personality and the quality of his creation. But some will insist that it was so regardless of the biblical indications to the contrary.

One of the reasons why such conclusions are proposed is that interpretations are attempted in what one might view as a contextual vacuum. Such a method is seriously flawed because for one very important reason-the Bible is one book written by many secretaries but proceeding from one author-God. That's why any interpretation must consider what has been previously written and what was subsequently in order to avoid the generation of many serious internal contradictions-especially contradictions which insidiously cast our heavenly father in a very bad light.

You have made a good case here for how people might misunderstand what the Tree of Knowledge represents and how that might cause one to see God in a false way but have not really shown what the danger is that comes from such a misunderstanding. I would assume you would say that such a false idea of God might lead one to stray but you haven't actually connected the dots in your post.