Anthropology The Fall of Man

Surely the most catastrophic event in the history of the world was the day that Adam plunged the human race into sin. The shock waves of that event continue to reverberate in every part of the globe touching everybody and everything. All of the tragic degeneration of the environment, of society, and even of the church is directly the result of Adam’s sin. In creation, man was totally innocent. We may be very sure that no one can successfully argue that the fall was environmental. In Eden there was no sin or unfulfilled need, nor was there any absence of the presence of God.

Essential Facts God is not the Author of sin. God has no need of sin in order to enhance His glory, and He did not permit it solely in order to demonstrate His moral grandeur. The subsequent responsibly of mankind in relation to sin is in no way diminished nor excused on the ground that the men now living were not guilty of its inception. God is not to be regarded as a ‘part’ to the repeated acts of sin. - T. C. Hammond

The Author of the Fall The Author of the Fall is clearly the devil; his instrument was the serpent. The focus of Satan’s attack was upon the woman, whom the Bible describes as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7). Satan beguiled Eve through his subtlety (2 Corinthians 11:3) and she was deceived (1 Timothy 2:14). He questioned the spoken Word of God even to the point of denying its truthfulness. He impugned the motives of God and appealed to the vanity of man. Satan created a discontentment with God.

The Approach Lust of the Flesh – the tree was good for food – it was gratifying to the desires of the body. Lust of the Eyes – pleasant to the eyes – it was gratifying to the aesthetic sense or emotions. Pride of Life – a tree to be desired to make one wise – it was gratifying to the ego, exalting the mind.

The Action The response of Adam particularly must be understood clearly. The reason that Adam is charged more particularly than Eve, is that Adam knew exactly what he was doing. (1 Tim. 2:14)

The Aftermath The aftermath was a radical alteration of man’s nature and response to God.  (Gen. 3:7,8 ) Original sin has profoundly affected every descendant to Adam and indeed it affected Adam himself. With the advent of original sin every part of man’s being is affected. Physically all men die; this is the by-product of sin. (Rom. 5:12; Heb. 9:27)

Spiritually all men are dead Spiritually all men are dead. The warning given by God prior to the Fall is significant in that it implies both spiritual and physical death. (Gen. 2:16,17; Eph. 2:1-5; Isa. 1:4-6) Relationally all men are estranged from God. (Psa. 58:3; Rom. 5:6-10; Rom. 3:12-18,23) Environmentally all men are affected. The ground was cursed (Genesis 3:17) so the previously easy labor in the garden is replaced with the sweat of the brow.

The previously harmonious co-existence of animals with each other and with man is now replaced with fang and claw. Even child birth is made arduous as God multiplied the effects in pain and suffering (Genesis 3:16). Eternally all men outside of Christ are affected. (Matt. 25:41; 10:28; 2 Thess. 1:9) Heb. 10:31; Rev. 14:11). Sin has left man in a desperate condition. Were it not for the mercy of God there would be no hope!