Here's a question I've been chewing on....

[MaryFreeman]

God created an environment where they were capable of sinning.

Nice dodge....

Did God deliberately cause Adam and Eve to sin? God created the snake but did He tell satan to possess its body?

For that matter is it really a snake? Or is serpent a symbolic reference to satan?

[Fenris]

Nice dodge....

Did God deliberately cause Adam and Eve to sin?

No. God simply created an environment where sin was possible. Why? To give human existence meaning.

For that matter is it really a snake? Or is serpent a symbolic reference to satan?

Bible says it was snake. Good enough for me.

[MaryFreeman]

No. God simply created an environment where sin was possible. Why? To give human existence meaning.

Please elaborate on the bold?

[Fenris]

Please elaborate on the bold?

K.

You're in the Garden. With God.

What's the point? Have you ever made a choice? Or earned anything? Or even worked for anything? No.

[MaryFreeman]

K.

You're in the Garden. With God.

What's the point? Have you ever made a choice? Or earned anything? Or even worked for anything? No.

I always thought that humans were created for fellowship with God.... I thought that was the meaning behind our existence.... And then along comes that stupid snake....

Silly me....

[John 8:32]

I always thought that humans were created for fellowship with God.... I thought that was the meaning behind our existence.... And then along comes that stupid snake....

Silly me....

Ya suppose this caught God off guard? He had to then come up with something to "fix" this problem? Nope. He knew exactly what would happen, put man in a situation where he had to make a choice.

[Fenris]

I always thought that humans were created for fellowship with God....

Then why send us down here? Why doesn't God create us and keep us in heaven?

[MaryFreeman]

Then why send us down here? Why doesn't God create us and keep us in heaven?

Do I look like God to you?

Perhaps for the same reason one would buy a cage for their pet bunny....

Or maybe God wanted a change of pace....

[Fenris]

Do I look like God to you?

Perhaps for the same reason one would buy a cage for their pet bunny....

Or maybe God wanted a change of pace....

God is already perfect and "needs" nothing. So if we're here, it's for us not for Him.

It's so that our existence actually means something.

Whether it's about following the Law (if I'm right) or choosing Jesus (if you are), our time has to mean something.

[David Taylor]

Another poster on here asked if there was no serpent would Adam and Eve have sinned?

I honestly don't know....

Do you?

I do.

Yes they would have sinned.

While Satan was one of many temptations that was available in their decision making process; Adam and Eve alone were responsible for their own choice to sin.

Satan cannot be blamed for sin. It lies on each one of us to take ownership of.

Too many bad teachings and doctrines stem from the idea that 'it's not our fault, let's blame someone else' mentalities.

If man could have remained sinless, Jesus wouldn't have been 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world'.

[MaryFreeman]

God is already perfect and "needs" nothing. So if we're here, it's for us not for Him.

It's so that our existence actually means something.

Whether it's about following the Law (if I'm right) or choosing Jesus (if you are), our time has to mean something.

1) I didn't say God needed us.... I said He wanted us.... There is a difference....

2) We were created in the image of the Almighty.... First man then woman.... And given dominion over the earth and every living thing in it.... What more of a meaning do we need for our existence?

3)I hope I am right because it is way too hard to do your thing....

[MaryFreeman]

I do.

Yes they would have sinned.

While Satan was one of many temptations that was available in their decision making process; Adam and Eve alone were responsible for their own choice to sin.

Satan cannot be blamed for sin. It lies on each one of us to take ownership of.

Too many bad teachings and doctrines stem from the idea that 'it's not our fault, let's blame someone else' mentalities.

If man could have remained sinless, Jesus wouldn't have been 'the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world'.

So you say even in the absence of a tempter Adam would have found occasion to sin?

[Fenris]

1) I didn't say God needed us.... I said He wanted us.... There is a difference....

If God "wants" us all He has to do is create us- and keep us in heaven.

You still haven't explained why God sent us down here.

2) We were created in the image of the Almighty.... First man then woman.... And given dominion over the earth and every living thing in it.... What more of a meaning do we need for our existence?

So the whole meaning of our existence is to collect stuff? Whoever does with the most toys wins?

[MaryFreeman]

If God "wants" us all He has to do is create us- and keep us in heaven.

What in the world do you mean by "keep us in heaven"? You've been to heaven???? And you didn't take me with you???? Man that's jank....

You still haven't explained why God sent us down here.

You still haven't explained why you think we were sent.... Surely even your bible tells you Adam was formed from dirt.... After the earth was already created.... Or do I read the bible wrong???

So the whole meaning of our existence is to collect stuff? Whoever does with the most toys wins?

I will address this statement in two pieces.... First:

So the whole meaning of our existence is to collect stuff?

Is that a bad thing?

God gave us everything through Adam.... Adam gave it to satan when he sinned.... I won't address the rest because it is too christian for our present conversation....

The meaning of our existence was to exist.... For His pleasure.... Have you looked around at the earth? Not worldly.... Just nature.... There is a whole lot of fun to be had here.... We don't need a cause to exist.... Living can be our cause....

Whoever does with the most toys wins?

Oh come on Fenris.... I am a christian.... Who cares about the toys? According to the last book in my bible I win anyways.... Toys or no toys.... Can't take them with me anyways....

[Fenris]

What in the world do you mean by "keep us in heaven"?

Where was our soul before we were born? With God. If God "wants" us, He could just keep us. But He doesn't, He sends us down here. So we make choices and our existence means something.

You still haven't explained why you think we were sent....

I've said it several times already. Including just above in this post.

Is that a bad thing?

The meaning of our existence was to exist.... For His pleasure.... Have you looked around at the earth? Not worldly.... Just nature.... There is a whole lot of fun to be had here.... We don't need a cause to exist.... Living can be our cause....



Oh come on Fenris.... I am a christian.... Who cares about the toys? According to the last book in my bible I win anyways.... Toys or no toys.... Can't take them with me anyways....

So we're here to have fun and collect stuff. Forgive me for saying so, but that's really shallow.