Ch.2: The Fall and the Promise of a Savior

Creation and De-Creation At creation Adam and Eve were gifted with Original Holiness and Original Justice. That means they were created to share in God’s life and to live in happiness. Teacher should expand upon concepts of “Original Holiness” and “Original Justice” (cf. textbook p.32).

However, temptation by Satan lead to the original sin, the first personal sin committed by human beings. Teachers may find it helpful at this point to read part of the account of the Fall in Genesis 3. Who Satan is and the nature of his Fall should be explained in greater detail (cf. textbook 33). Adam and Eve sinned by preferring themselves to God, disobeying him and failing to trust in him.

Discussion: God created human beings to live with him in peace and happiness. Why do you think the first humans turned away from God? Students may offer a variety of responses. The point of the discussion is to prompt students to consider why human beings would turn away from the life of happiness God offered to them. There is no single right answer (we can’t know what the first human beings were thinking), but it should be emphasized that the original sin constituted a rejection of God and preference of the first humans for themselves.

Was Original Sin a Historical Event? Though the story of Genesis 3 uses figural language and should not be read as a historical account, it is important to maintain that a real historical event lies behind it. Here teachers may have students recall what they learned in Ch.1 about the intention of the author and literal and spiritual senses of Scripture.

The Effects of the Original Sin The consequences of the first personal sin were immediate and prolific. Those consequences remain a part of our lives today. This fallen state is Original Sin. Teachers should be careful to distinguish between the “original sin,” the personal sin committed by the first human beings, and “Original Sin,” the condition that afflicts all human beings as a result of the first sin.

The Consequences of the Original Sin loss of Original Holiness and Original Justice disunity within the individual, among individuals, between people and creation, and between people and God having to endure painful labor in order to survive the pains of childbirth shame as a result of nakedness death However, though human nature was weakened by sin, it was not totally corrupted.

Genesis describes the spread of sin and its consequences as God’s judgment and mercy for humanity in three stories: Cain and Abel the Great Flood the Tower of Babel Teachers should ask students to recount what they know about each of these stories or explain them themselves. It may also be helpful to read passages from each story.

Discussion: Where do you see the effects of Original Sin in the world today?

God Remains Faithful in Times of Sin From the moment of humanity’s first sin, God promises salvation. The Protoevangelium recorded in Genesis 3:15 announces God’s plans for a future Redeemer and a final victory over sin and death. Teachers should note that “Protoevangelium” means “the first Gospel,” i.e., the first good news (of salvation). It may be helpful for teachers to read Gen 3:15 and explain how this constitutes a promise of salvation.

Covenants in the Old Testament God renews this promise of salvation throughout history in “covenants” with his people. A “covenant” is a solemn agreement God enters into with his people. The Old Testament records 4 covenants:

God’s covenant with Noah God renewed the command to Adam and Eve to multiply and subdue the earth and promised to never again destroy the world.

2. God’s Covenant with Abraham God promised Abraham many descendents, land for his people, and that his people would be a blessing to all the nations.

3. God’s Covenant with Moses God formed his chosen People, Israel, and gave them the Law by which to live.

4. God’s Covenant with King David God promised David that the messiah would come from his line and that his kingdom would be everlasting.

Covenant Summary Covenant with Passage Promise Noah Gn 9:8-17 God will never destroy the earth again Abraham Gn 17:1-14 Land, progeny, blessing Moses Ex 24:3-8 Israel will be God’s people David 2 Sam 23:5 Messiah will come from David’s line

God Remains Faithful to His Promises If deemed helpful, teachers may elaborate upon the sins of Saul, David, Solomon, and his successors and the resulting division of the kingdom (cf. p.46). God remained faithful to his promises in spite of the continued sinful behavior of the people and their leaders, including Israel’s kings.

God’s fidelity was exemplified in the message of repentance and hope preached by his prophets. The prophet Amos condemned genocide, sexual excess, and violence and insisted that true worship of God required concrete actions of justice toward the weak and poor.

Jeremiah foretold punishment for Israel’s sins and promised that God would write a new covenant on their hearts.

Ezekiel warned of punishment for Israel’s sins and promised the coming of a messiah.

Isaiah criticized idolatry, empty sacrifice, human pride, and cruelty to the poor and foretold Israel’s immanent collapse. He also promised that God would save Israel and spoke of a “suffering servant.”

In Christ all the prophecies and covenants find their fulfillment. Where Adam’s disobedience to God was the cause of our death, Christ’s obedience—even to the point of death on a cross—is the source of our salvation.