Cheryl Schatz

Hannah,
Sorry that your comment did not appear earlier. For some reason it went into my blog’s spam box.

You said:

The bible states she was deceived, hook winked, conned, whatever you want to call it. She admitted the error or deception afterwards when addressed. Adam did not, but blameshifted over to Eve.

Yes, you are right. Adam was not deceived but put the blame on the back of a deceived woman. Eve was deceived and she admitted that she had been deceived and rightfully blamed the serpent.

I guess his responsibility would have been to say something at the time when he was handed the apple, or when he knew she was being deceived.

I see it as the watchman allowing the enemy into the camp and watching as the enemy went about his work to kill, steal and destroy. Adam was to keep the garden safe from intruders and since he had been there with God watching the final part of creation, he was in a position to recognize what was from God and what was a threat. He didn’t stop the serpent from entering the garden, he didn’t stop the serpent from lying to his wife and he didn’t lift one finger to educate his wife on the lies that he recognized. I also think that if he had said something after his wife had already eaten and was giving to him, it would have been too late. But the one who had the knowledge of the lie let his wife be deceived, he took the fruit from her hand and he willingly ate in full rebellion and in full knowledge to God’s command without being deceived. No wonder God calls this an act of treachery.

That to me would be the thing to do, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with headship.

Mark was hinting that “headship” was instituted at creation as Adam’s authority over his wife. He has no such evidence of such a thing, but he is saying that Adam’s responsibility to protect the garden is a “hint” that Adam was also responsible to take authority over his wife.

The facts do not show that Mark is right. Rather the Bible is consistent in showing that to the one who has been given much, much is required. Adam had a privilege to see the Creator at work that Eve had not seen since she was the one created last. Adam’s knowledge of the unique Creator was a responsibility that must be used for the glory of God and for the protection of the innocent. Adam’s failure to use that knowledge to protect his wife from being deceived was appalling and worthy of condemnation.