If Eden Was Perfect, Why Was the Snake There?

Ritter asks if the garden of Eden was perfect, then why was the snake there. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity why this is Bill Meyer along with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day and we love hearing from eighth-graders. You can call us right now regardless of what grade you're in, here's our phone number is 1-833-843-2673 or 833. The core you can also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts and can watch a drill right now on YouTube through our YouTube channel and messages that way course you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first today. Here's a question from one of our listeners named Cody follow-up about God. About Gideon who requested be fine that God will that or lacking faith.

Gideon part is there any ground or anything like that in the post-resurrection life of the Christian today Cody thank you for that follow-up, so that the passage of Scripture for inducing judges chapter 6 beginning in verse 36 then Gideon said to God, if you will save Israel by my hand. As you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor if there is due on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand. As you have said and it was so when he rose early next morning and squeeze the fleecy run enough due from the fleece to fill a bowl with water and Gideon said to God, let not your anger burned against me.

Let me speak just once more.

Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only on all the ground, let there be due and I did so, that night and it was dry on the fleece only and on all the ground there was due as OEM. Here's a clear example of someone I think humbly going to the Lord and saying God give me give me a sign here help me out let me know whether or not you you're really going to deliver Israel by my hand. Gideon judge of Israel at that time looking for for the Lord to to to speak to him now. I think there there are different ways we can approach God and this is really clear in in Scripture. Generally speaking, Jesus made it absolutely clear were not to test the Lord God has spoken to us clearly in his word sightings. I help a First Circuit guide. If you really meant that give me a sign.

I've seen people do this bill make a decision that they know is contradicted to Scripture, but they'll test God they'll say got up on putting a fleece out there and if you if you do this that or the other than then I'll know your give me the go-ahead to to do this thing that you've already said in your word. I shouldn't do and I think that's a tragedy. You also have the example of the religious teachers in the New Testament that Jesus really sternly rebuked in Matthew chapter 16 it says verse one the Pharisees and the Sadducees came to test him and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

He answered them when it is evening, you say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red in the morning it will be stormy today for the sky is red and threatening. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times an evil and adulterous generation seeks for sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah, so he left them and departed. Look, here's here's what I think God is sometimes accommodating to our weakness. Sometimes the Lord shows up in our lives and in really unique ways even extraordinary ways that they help us to to to see to know. Yes, the Lord is with me.

God has been gracious to me. Should we expect that no it is extraordinary. Sometimes that happens I think I think the situation with with Gideon was a unique situation. But God has already spoken to us so clearly in his word, and so we don't have asked for an extra sign in or give me give me something else got so that I might know that this is true, the ultimate sign is the resurrection of Jesus. And that's the point that that Jesus himself was making to the scribes and the Pharisees there in Matthew chapter 16 that the sign of Jonah the death and resurrection of Jesus. And so brothers and sisters resting God's word trust what the Lord has said and don't test them that bless interesting what you said about making a decision and then throwing a fleece out even though we know it's about something that God opposes in his word.

I'm thinking of a situation. Let's say guy is dating a girl.

She's not a Christian, and he says you know Lord if if you want me to marry her letter say yes yes that's a great example bill in the and that's often times we do it and we have to be really careful that we don't do that that that is testing the Lord God is Artie spoken so clearly but were saying okay will God maybe or to make an exception for me. Maybe you'll allow me to go get your word in this particular area and so if you if you just give me this sign it at work. So really what were looking for is not to follow the Lord to follow our own way and then again that's what we have to be really really wise and and go back to the Scriptures, and as I said already, resting them, but great example bill good counsel. This is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life, theology, doctrine, how your Christian walk is going. Or maybe what's going on in our culture right now and how that impacts your faith.

Here's the phone number to call its 1833-843-2673 833-843-2673 now all this week we've been featuring questions from the eighth graders at Faith Christian Academy in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Each day that class listens to core Christianity in their classroom which we just love and this question is from a student named Jace I regard her while on in the garden. That's a great that's a great question Bill about it, I just want to follow the say. I think this is so cool that were answering these questions.

Actually sent us a picture of their of their classroom which we are able to see this morning is a team is a super encouraging to see these young adults sees the students interested in core, Christianity, and so really grateful for you guys and and this is an excellent question.

So I think the garden of Eden of God creating the world good, very clear from the early chapters of Genesis is good.

This is amazing, there something unique about eating as well is it's not perfection in the sense of you know heaven if you will deck that confirmed state of perfect righteousness for all time. This is a period of testing for man for Adam and Eve there in the garden.

Some people have referred to this as a probationary period were God gives man free will to choose to follow him and any gives them a commandment as well. You think in Genesis chapter 2 the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Now if you're looking at that that verse it's Genesis chapter 2 verse 15 there something really interesting about that word keep it's the Hebrew word show marked it means to to guarded sexy with the priests.

Later on in the Bible were commanded to do with regard to the worship of God in the tabernacle the temple they were.

Carl called to guard to protect it to make sure that the serpent did not infiltrate that is idolatrous worship and so Adam is here depicted as as a priest in the garden cultivating the garden but also protecting it from from foreign idolatry.

If you will, from the snake and the snake comes in and in the beginning of chapter 3. This the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field, but the Lord God had made. And he begins with his lies with his deception now.

Now man was called in that moment to keep the garden. They should've cast the serpent out. They should've drove the serpent away, but instead they let the serpent into their ear and and the deception started to seep in. And as a result, they turned away from the Lord.

And so we have to recognize that this is a unique that unique time in the history of redemption. This probationary period were God is calling man to follow him, giving man free will to follow him and in man chooses sin instead. And ever since then we've been we've been choosing sin and and and so that's why you have the promise just a few verses later in chapter 3 verse 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman got speaking to the serpent, and between your offspring and her offspring, he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel. That's what many theologians refer to as the proto-UN galley on the first proclamation of the gospel. This promise that the seed of the woman Jesus Christ is going to come and crush the head of the serpent and I and that's what we see this this story unfolding throughout the rest of the Bible and Jesus is the one who leads us to that place of perfect righteousness. The new heavens and the new earth, which is going to be even better than Eden. Jace, thanks for that question. God bless you. You're listening to core Christianity here, we are just a week away from Thanksgiving Morgan excited about it and we actually have a brand-new free resource that you can download on Thanksgiving. Yet as the holiday season begins to ramp up. We have this as you said Bill Brenda free resource that listeners can download@corechristianity.com called five biblical reminders for Thanksgiving week we get to this time of the year and sometimes it can feel like like a bit of a wait right what were called to give thanks you were thinking about the things that we we ought to be thankful for, but but it's easy to have that lack of gratitude in our lives is in it, brothers and sisters. It's easy to focus on all the negative in our lives the difficulties we've been going to the things that we don't have that. We wish we had. We really need to recover this heart of Thanksgiving that the Bible talks about what help you do that this time of the year by providing you with this resource and so get a hold of it gets a free resource to download over it. Core, Christianity.com called five biblical reminders for Thanksgiving again.

Just go to core Christianity.com/offers core Christianity.com/offers look for five biblical reminders for Thanksgiving. We can call us for that resource or any one of our resources, 833-843-2673 let's go to Nathan in Tacoma, Washington. Nathan welcomed the program what your question for pastor. Israel and the gospel and I met with Dr. on theology and no barrier but we don't know why you're right or wrong to become a member drawing church grateful to hear that you want want to be a member of the church and plugged in and growing the word but that you also want to be discerning.

Remedying this is really important to often work when were thinking about picking the church.

The last thing folks are thinking about is the theology they think about the do I connect with the music.

Are there good programs there, but were not asking. I think the most important questions that the main question what is being taught is the Scripture being taught is the Scripture being taught faithfully and so I commend your brother for wanting to explore these issues in particular. Now when were talking about things like dispensationalism covenant theology to people here than think what you what you getting on at work were thinking through in particular ways of understanding the Bible the context in which the Scriptures are to be read and there are different ways throughout the history of the church that people have read the Bible, some more helpful than others. I think it's important for for us as were thinking about the Bible and the way it's meant to be read that we have a proper context to a good understanding. I was talking just a little bit earlier and in the broadcast about that promise in Genesis chapter 3 verse 15 that it's carried out throughout the entire Bible.

This picture of promise and fulfillment. Understanding all of redemptive history is leading us to this pinnacle point. Ultimately, Jesus and the redemption that he accomplished for us. Jesus made it very clear that the entire Bible is about him. He told the religious leaders in John chapter 5, you search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life.

But these are the very Scriptures that testify of me.

I when he was on the road to MAS with a couple of his disciples after his resurrection, he open their eyes to understand how all of the Scriptures pointed to him. The reason I bring these things up.

Nathan is because this is a part of that. The debate that people have what is the Bible primarily ultimately about and and so I think this is an important issue.

Maybe a follow-up question for you is, is it the case that there just aren't a lot of churches in your area.

There is one pair and your dog will be. I also know that they believe in the dark and I like the people is that one is United don't know so what I be able to leadership about something different than I do. But you don't come out from a different point of view, though word out absolutely manages encourages me to hear you say that because that's that's so key. Are we hearing the gospel being preached is my recommendation to you for for you and Ben for your family is is you are looking for a church. I would say go back a few Sundays get a feel for it.

Continue to have conversations with with the pastor and ask yourself is the MMI getting the means of grace is Christ being placarded before me very clearly for for my forgiveness is what I need is the gospel being proclaimed faithfully the award being asked positive, but also I would recommend you know having other conversations with other pastors in the area checking out other other churches that you that you believe are to be faithfully teaching the Bible and and giving it giving it some time. This is a big decision, a really big decision so I would say yeah I think as people are visiting churches, I think, not just going once checking it out and making a decision, but maybe give it a few Sundays, check, check out this church for a few Sundays and then maybe check out another church in the area that is faithful to the Scriptures for a few Sundays and as you do that prayerfully you know make make this decision 11 passages of Scripture that I'll point you to is Paul's encouragement to Timothy in first Timothy chapter 5 verse 20, so don't rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father younger men as brothers older women his mother's younger women as sisters and all. Others were looking to have that that piece within the body of Christ, so anywhere you go so you settle at this church. You might have disagreements with with the pastor on a few issues, but if the gospel is being faithfully taught in your being encouraged in your walk with the Lord you can live with some of those disagreements it's that's okay and in you just maintain the peace and the purity of the church not rebuking your pastor, but having good and healthy conversations that are edifying for you and for him, I'm sure. And so give us a call and may the Lord bless you as you as you look to settle into a good local church. Nathan, thanks so much and thanks for being a regular listener of core Christianity. We really do appreciate it.

We do receive Facebook posts and questions on this program and here's one from Barbara.

She says how do you explain the Trinity to Muslims. Hey Barbara, thank you for that question. Well, is that the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith and the reason we embrace it is because it is the clear teaching of God's revelation in his word I would take the Scriptures together and when we realize the Bible teaches that God is one, there is one God hero Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse four as you continue to read the Scriptures. You also realize that the father is referred to as God the son is referred to as God and the Holy Spirit is referred to as God, one God, one in essence three distinct persons is oh so it's important that we we recognize that the doctrine of the Trinity is one God, one essence but three distinct persons were not talking about one essence and three essences different essences or one person and three persons that would be a contradiction, but there's no contradiction here were saying God is one in essence or substance. Three distinct persons and that's what we see in Scripture and for the reason we embrace it is because it's seen as we as we search the Scriptures and we look at what the apostle said, we look at with Jesus and look at even statements that we find in the Old Testament sort of a sort of mysterious statements but but which lend themselves to this doctrine. The doctrine of the Trinity were receiving God's revelation and submitting to it often. I think Muslims and and others that will critique the doctrine of the truth is it doesn't make any sense to me one and 33 and one I reject it because it doesn't make any sense, but we have to go back to the authority of Scripture, God's revelation that you think about what Paul told Timothy in second Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, the man of God may be completely equipped for every good work. So we get this doctrine from from the Bible from the words of Jesus from the words of the apostles and I think that has to be the primary.

The primary authority and I think we can also emphasize Barbara, how it relates to our eternal salvation a mere man could not save humanity. Jesus's death on the cross.

Another that Muslims reject the idea of the death and resurrection of Jesus but but the reality is only God could save fallen humanity and only the God of man, Jesus could represent fallen humanity as our advocate and as our substitute to redeem us so that this doctrine.

The doctrine of the deity of Christ, of the holy Trinity, but it gets to the very heart of the gospel into the very heart of our salvation.

And that's why we hold to it in a and so I would just encourage you as you continue to have conversations with with your Muslim friends Barbara since a gift from some of some friends that you would go to the Scriptures and and go to these passages that make it very clear in the Old Testament and in the New Testament debt that Jesus is God. God is is a Trinity and and appeal to them. God uses his word to change the hearts of people by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

And don't forget to be praying. Don't forget to be praying for your friends as well. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez in first Thessalonians chapter 5 the Bible says to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

And as we approach Thanksgiving. We have a wonderful resource you mentioned earlier it's called five biblical reminders for Thanksgiving. It's absolutely free and you can find it by going to our website.

Core, Christianity.com/offers and look for that one. Five biblical reminders for Thanksgiving. Let's go to Pete and Fort Wayne, Indiana, Pete, what's your question for Pastor Israel? What is the reference given about the angels in first Corinthians 11 Pete this is a great question honestly.

Probably one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible for scripting chapter 11.

We have this discussion about head coverings in a number of other things because people struggle with understanding how to interpret my view, you know. So in in first Corinthians chapter 11 starting in verse 10 that is why Wi-Fi to have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels.

He says that he's making a case for these these head coverings anything look yet to do this because of the angels. Note what does that mean well in the context here.

I think of of these chapters in first Corinthians, especially as you get into chapter 14, it's clear that the apostle Paul is talking about a lot of the things that take place in the gathered assembly. Whether that's the Lord's supper. Holy Communion, but he should be talking about that just a few verses beginning in verse 17 of chapter 11, but then also just that the the worship service. If you will coming together doing things decently and in order. In chapter 14 and one thing that is clear about Christian worship. A lot of people miss.

This is it. When we got it gathered together as the people of God were not just gathering with with our brothers and sisters here were actually gathering together with the whole church that is the church triumphant.

Those who have gone before us and were in the presence of the Lord in heaven worshiping him, and even the angels tell you of a passage it makes is absolutely clear is the book of Hebrews Hebrews chapter 12 for the author to the Hebrews as we have come before the heavenly mountains on the heavenly Jerusalem before a myriad of saints and angels and in festal attire that is work, work together with the whole church in the angels who understand authority if you will that there sent out by the Lord to to serve him take heed his word. His command, our worship, in one sense should be reflective of that decency and order that is characteristic of heaven, we might say I think that's the best way to understand that text in first Corinthians 1110 he sees calling the church to do things decently and in order and and in line with that he's making a case. I look even angels are present like that you know they understand this and so let's obey the Lord in a way that's honoring to him and and is right worship in in accordance with his word, and so appreciate appreciate that question again. This is one of those passages of Scripture that a lot of people debate about but I think that's that's the best answer.

You get so helpless. What were just about out of time for today's program and we want to remind you if you have a question for Pastor Israel about the Bible or the Christian life.

You can call us 24 hours a day and leave us a voicemail. Here's the phone number it's 1-833-843-2673.

That's 833. The core can also submit a question, questions at core, Christianity.com April some great questions today. Yeah. Always a joy to to come together to open up the Scriptures and to answer these questions and pray that you guys are encouraged to continue to interact with the broadcast.

Give us a call tomorrow and God bless. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together