Here's the next question from Aaron:
“If Adam and Eve had repented of their sin, would they have still gotten kicked out of the garden?”
Aaron, I find your
question interesting and it captures some misconceptions people have about sin
and forgiveness. To answer your question
succinctly: yes, God would kick Adam and Eve from the garden, even if they
repented instead of trying to hide their sin.
With our western American sensibilities, we cringe at this answer. The
moment Adam and Eve reached for that fruit they took the long road away from
the garden. They could never again live
in this paradise.
Now to the work of
demonstrating this. There are several elements
of your question we need to examine flesh out the answer. First,
what exactly happens in sin.
Second, what is the nature of
repentance. Finally,
what is the nature of forgiveness and restoration.
