In the Shadow of the Trees of Eden
For those who are interested, I’m close enough to finishing my article on the two trees in the Garden to request your review and feedback. Here are the first two paragraphs, and the rest of the article can be read by following the link provided just below:
The instigation of the Biblical record regarding God’s relationship with man begins in a setting in which we see two trees beside a river, and from the beginning to the end of the long course of redemptive history, the Bible then ends once again with two trees by a river (Revelation 22:2). Throughout the many pages in-between we see trees used as a persistent and profound metaphor woven into its’ narrative, defining the very purpose and providence of the kingdom of God.
The status quo of ignoring these trees in Eden, considering them to be too esoteric in their meaning, or comparing them to a simple Law / Grace analogy is inadequate! The tree of “the knowledge of good and evil” was not an androgynous participant in humanities fall from grace, as the patrons who dinned upon this cuisine were infected by an invasive and implacable ailment. Sin, we will contend, is not just the result of disobedience towards God’s command, but is a reflection of the nature and character of the one who knew good . . . only to choose evil. To understand the roles of these trees, we’ll first investigate the imagery of various trees throughout scripture. Once an appropriate overview is prepared, we’ll tender a paradigm of Eden’s trees and their roles in the sovereign plan and purposes of God.
Rest of article
http://www.faith-friends.com/Eden/modul ... ex&catid=5