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brought about the downfall of Adam. Where man failed, in a garden of plenty, the Lord
triumphed in a wilderness of want (Matt. 4: 8, 9).
A knowledge of good and evil really comprises the whole realm of knowledge. He
who knows all good and all evil, knows all things. This was evidently understood in O.T.
times, as the language of the woman of Tekoah indicates:
"As an angel of God, so is my Lord the King to discern good and evil" (II Sam. 14: 17).
"My Lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that
are in the earth" (II Sam. 14: 20).
Comparing the two passages, we see that "good and bad" and "all things on the earth"
are synonymous.
There is a tendency with most of us to read the words of Gen. 2: as though they were
"The knowledge of good and evil", or even "The knowledge of evil". We must
remember, however, that the tree represented both good and evil. "Good" out of place,
and before its time, can be definitely harmful. Marriage, for example, is "honourable in
all", but that which is most blessed within the limitation of marriage, is itself a sin if
entered into apart from those Divinely appointed limits. Again we observe that "good"
and "evil" are not things in themselves, but terms which refer to the actions of particular
people.
We will conclude by giving, in the form of a table, a list of some of the characteristics
that distinguish the sphere of mechanical determinism from that of moral accountability.
Creation (Mechanical).
Creation (Moral).
Title: God.
Title: Lord God.
Pronouncement: "It was so."
Pronouncement: "Thou shalt not."
Created things "good".
Moral creatures tested.
Created things "held".
Moral creatures "held responsible".
No option.
Freedom of choice.
Things or animals.
Persons.
Sin not possible.
Sin possible.
Faith and love impossible.
Faith and love possible.
No fellowship.
Fellowship.
"Let there be light."
"Let Us make man."