Cheryl Schatz

Paula #30,

I agree with your list.  I would add the other facts that we know.  We know that God spoke to Adam and told him that the fruit from one tree was forbidden.  We also know that God spoke to Adam and his wife (Gen 1:29) and told them both that they were given permission to eat from every tree in the garden that had seed bearing fruit.  If we add in these additional facts, we can sharpen up our focus regarding what Adam knew.

The truth that you have clearly pointed out is that Adam did not blame Eve for getting his direction wrong or is misrepresenting God.  He certainly could have shifted the blame further on to her if she had not been telling the truth.  The facts in this case show that neither Adam nor God blamed Eve for giving out wrong words.  If neither one of them charges her with error or with lying, then we have no reason either to believe that she wasn’t telling the absolute truth about her experience with God’s permission and non-permission.