Why were Adam and Eve punished so harshly?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TomS333
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TomS333

Guest
Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil even though God had told them not to. But before they ate how would they know that what they were about to do was wrong if they only found out Good and Evil by eating the forbidden fruit?

Isn’t there something whereby it’s only sinful if you know it’s sinful and deliberately commit the act? So Adam and Eve wouldn’t have known any better, so why were they harshly exiled from Eden?
 
Also, notice that not once did they beg for his mercy or forgiveness. Instead, they hid and blamed everyone else!
 
They didn’t have original sin or concupiscience.
2)
They were much closer to God
 
Kei said:
Well, at least He told Adam.
Click to expand...
What Eve said in Gen 3:2 shows that she knew what God commanded her (notice the us):
2 And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die.
Click to expand...
 
God did command specifically not to eat from that tree, and they did anyway.
 
God had a perfect plan for them. They would live in paradise and be in communion with God.
All they had to do was not eat from the tree. God specifically told them not to, so they must have known to do otherwise would be wrong. They didn’t eat from it by accident.
By eating from the tree, they disobeyed God and doubted that His plan was for their good; that He had their best interests in mind.
They chose not to follow God’s plan, they went against God’s will and did not trust that God wanted what was best for them. How could they continue to live in Eden and follow His plan?
 
Then there are those who think the Garden of Eden, the tree, the apple, Adam, and Eve is an analogy for another reality. Not wanting to get into a debate about literal vs. allegorical, but the thing to remember is that the lesson we gain from the Creation account is that God created man and woman in His image and likeness and by some form of choice, man rejected his gift of God and corrupted the reality God offered. Hence, the separation from God and the need for one who could mend the rupture.
I personally don’t believe the literal words of Genesis, but I accept the lesson it intends.
 
Yes, but traditionally Adam taught Eve, catechized her so to speak.

Note the punishment is not dolled out until Adam sins.
 
I’ve wondered this and I’ve also wondered why
God said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers.”

Who are the offspring of the serpent? Who are they today??? Didn’t Adam and Eve have 5-7 children?
 
God told them not to.
Therefore, they knew it was wrong.
What more are you looking for?
 
God doesn’t punish us harshly -
or beyond what each person can handle ( Paul verse?)
But eve n back then, God’s plan.
Christ - was the new Adam.
God - punishes - himself harshly ?
Just some thoughts 🤔
 
Kei said:
Yes, but traditionally Adam taught Eve, catechized her so to speak.

Note the punishment is not dolled out until Adam sins.
Click to expand...
Per Genesis text, strictly, Eve knew more than Adam (not to touch it even), but it can be implied that it was conveyed to both equally as given in Genesis 2 and the previous Genesis 3 (the merged oral traditions of two groups):
  • Gen 2:16 The Lord God gave the man this order: You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden 17 except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die.
  • Gen 3:2 And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die.
The judgment occurs in this order in Genesis 3, and God gives them clothing:
  • 14 And the Lord God said to the serpent …
  • 16 To the woman also he said: …
  • 17 And to Adam he said: …
  • 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife, garments of skins, and clothed them.
I just remember the final comment: Adam is the first and is the head of mankind.
 
Last edited:
Vico said:
40.png
Kei:
Yes, but traditionally Adam taught Eve, catechized her so to speak.

Note the punishment is not dolled out until Adam sins.
Click to expand...
Per Genesis text, strictly, Eve knew more than Adam (not to touch it even), but it can be implied that it was conveyed to both equally as given in Genesis 2 and the previous Genesis 3 (the merged oral traditions of two groups):
  • Gen 2:16 The Lord God gave the man this order: You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden 17 except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die.
  • Gen 3:2 And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die.
The judgment occurs in this order in Genesis 3, and God gives them clothing:
  • 14 And the Lord God said to the serpent …
  • 16 To the woman also he said: …
  • 17 And to Adam he said: …
  • 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife, garments of skins, and clothed them.
I just remember the final comment: Adam is the first and is the head of mankind.
Click to expand...
I’ve heard from scripture scholars that Adam added the part about “don’t even touch it” when he taught Eve about what God commanded.

This was why it was easier for the devil to tempt & trick Eve because she didn’t hear the commandment directly from God, but rather though Adam.
 
Vico said:
it can be implied that it was conveyed to both equally as given in Genesis 2 and the previous Genesis 3 (the merged oral traditions of two groups
Click to expand...
Or perhaps God told Adam as the text says and Eve was told the Law by Adam…I wasn’t there, but I can say God commanded to not murder. Saying God commanded us to x doesn’t imply I was directly there to hear God’s Command. “Faith comes through hearing…” and today we have our Faith due to the Witness and Testament of Holy Mother Church…
 
I would imagine the off-spring of the devil are those who are devoted to destroying, distorting, and discrediting The Word of God and His Church.
 
Kei said:
40.png
Vico:
it can be implied that it was conveyed to both equally as given in Genesis 2 and the previous Genesis 3 (the merged oral traditions of two groups
Click to expand...
Or perhaps God told Adam as the text says and Eve was told the Law by Adam…I wasn’t there, but I can say God commanded to not murder. Saying God commanded us to x doesn’t imply I was directly there to hear God’s Command. “Faith comes through hearing…” and today we have our Faith due to the Witness and Testament of Holy Mother Church…
Click to expand...
We are taught by the Church that Adam and Eve possessed sanctifying grace and the preternatural gifts infused knowledge, absence of concupiscence, and bodily immortality, before the Fall. Known as original justice. This knowledge was had by whatever means prior to the Fall. Note that Eve not only sinned first of the two, but suggested sin to Adam; so she sinned against both God and her neighbor.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top