Biblical Studies

We have considered Paul’s explanation of the tongue-speaking phenomena in 1 Corinthians 14. It was a sign, Paul said, of the judgement of God on Israel (1 Corinthians 14:22; Isaiah 28:11). The confusion of the Jews on the day of Pentecost, when they assumed the disciples were drunk, may be a further indication of judgement. [...]

The subtle beginnings soon morphed into an all-out attack. This was a change in tactic (Edward J. Young, 33). Everything was out in the open. He moved from doubting God to radical and reckless infidelity. In the discourse that followed between the serpent and the woman, Satan made three promises in verses four and five; the promise of impunity, of improvement, and of independence.

It’s hard to get the hook out when it’s in past the barb—some flesh will need to be sacrificed. When sin gets our attention and gets a hold, it's difficult to remove and detach ourselves from it. This is where the woman found herself.  Having captured her attention and locked her in conversation, Satan began to devour her (1 Peter 5:8).

Eden was no random attack, it was a strategy of war. Satan had a target in mind, and that target was humanity, the apex of God’s creation ... He must strike humanity at the root. He must poison the fountain at the source. Satan’s target was not Adam but Adam’s children—humanity ... Humanity fell as one when Satan poisoned the source. The “likeness” and “image” of Adam’s offspring were marred by Adam’s sin.

The Bible begins and ends with the serpent. In Genesis he is cunning, subtle and deceptive—and he finds a measure of success. But that “success” is given him only to reveal God's gracious salvation. In Revelation, he is defeated and cast into the bottomless pit. This is the story of the gospel.

When God created Adam and his wife, he provided everything they needed. The Scriptures tells us that God planted a garden for the man and his wife (Genesis 2:8). This garden provided a fully sustainable home, a workplace and a place of worship. They had no wants. The garden of Eden begins a “garden theology” that continues throughout the Scriptures. Eden is the prototype of blessed safety and tranquility in the presence of the Lord—a paradise.

  Before we get into chapter three let's step back into chapters one and two of Genesis and get a picture of the people and the environment the Lord created. The phrase “let us make man” (1:26-27) which God used on the final day of creation, introduced a part of creation that would be different from [...]

The story of the Bible is the story of the sovereign God, the salvation of man and the spoiling of Satan and his helpers. Genesis chapter three is the beginning of that story. In that chapter, there are three major areas of biblical study that continue throughout the Scriptures; theology, anthropology, and demonology. In the [...]