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Two Trees in the Middle · Accidental Bible Scholar

• Jeff Ward: Hello, I'm Jeff Hort here with Randy Speer, and welcome back to the Accidental Bible Scholar Podcast. We're excited you're here. We're going to talk today about the book of Genesis. And this is, I think, our fourth Randy: And welcome back to the Accidental Bible Scholar podcast. We're excited you're here. We're gonna talk today about the book of Genesis and this is I think our fourth. Jeff Ward: podcast on Genesis and the second portion of the creation of man. So part one was last week, part two is today. We are, like I said, excited you're here. If you want to reach out to us at Randy: podcast on Genesis and the second portion of the creation of man. So part one was last week, part two is today. We are, like I said, excited you're here. If you want to reach out to us at you can do that at contact at accidental bible scholar dot com. If you want to go to our website, there's not a lot on there, but all the links to the podcast are there, which you can find on all the major platforms as well. That's www.accidentalbiblescholar dot com. Jeff Ward: can do that at contact at accidental bible scholar dot com if you want to go to our website. There's not a lot on there, but all the links to the podcast are there, which you can find on all the major platforms as well. That's www.accidentalbiblescholar dot com. Every Thursday you can find a new episode or we release a new episode. And without further ado, Randy, let's get started. Here we go. Hey we just what we got through verse six of chapter two Randy: Every Thursday you can find a new episode. we release a new episode. without further ado, Randy. All right. Here we go. Hey, we just what we got through verse six of chapter two. We skip verse five and six, but let's we're gonna skip down to verse seven. How about that? Okay. So without any intro, because keeping this on time, let's just start read verse seven if you don't mind. Okay, the Lord formed the Lord God. Jeff Ward: Okay. So without any intro, because keeping this on time, let's just start. Read verse seven, if you don't mind. Okay, the Lord formed the Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Okay. You we should notice a big change right there. He's no longer speaking things into existence. He's now forming from the ground. Randy: Soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath life, and the man became a living being. Okay. You we should notice a big change right there. He's no longer speaking things into existence. He's now forming from the ground. So we are made of the ground, of course, but he's formed us and then breathed into this man's nostrils the the breath of life, it says. Jeff Ward: So we are made of the ground, of course, but he's formed us and then he breathed into this man's nostrils the the breath of life, it says. so those are things different than what he's done with any other creature, up to this point or forever, right? breath, he breathed into man. Breath in Hebrew and the Greek, there's no difference between the word Randy: So those are things different than what he's done with any other creature up to this point or forever, right? breath, he breathed into man. Breath in Hebrew and the Greek, there's no difference between the word spirit and breath. And in the Hebrew, it adds also you can add wind. No difference between wind, Hebrew, and Jeff Ward: Spirit and breath. And in the Hebrew it adds also you can add when. No difference between when, Hebrew, I mean spirit and breath. They are the same. So I put here in this is part of being made in God's image in that God literally breathed a part of Himself into man. And then man became a living being. So I put so what are the implications of what we just read? First of all, some of the implications is man is everlasting. Randy: I mean spirit and breath. They are the same. So I put here in this is part of being made in God's image in that God literally breathed a part of Himself into man and then man became a living being. So I put so what are the implications of what we just read? First of all, some of the implications is man is everlasting. Jeff Ward: people can never cease to exist, ever. Whether they want to or not. Randy: people can never cease to exist, ever, where they want to or not. Jeff Ward: We're we're everlasting. Every man, woman, and child will spend eternity somewhere. here this also allows being created in his image and having the spirit in him allows Randy: We're we're everlasting. Every man, woman, and child will spend eternity somewhere. here this also allows being created in his image and having the spirit in him, allows God to become a man. So redemption is built into his design. Jesus could not become a man and unless that except that we were created in his image and we continue to reproduce. Jeff Ward: Is built into his design. Jesus could not become a man unless that except that we were created in his image and we continue to reproduce. Sexual reproduce reproduction is a requirement for redemption because without it, if we weren't making like for angels, angels can't be redeemed because we're not making any more angels. But there are continually to be new people created, so that and being in the image. Randy: Sexual reproduce reproduction is a requirement for redemption because without it, if we weren't making like for angels, angels can't be redeemed because we're not making any more angels. But there are continually to be new people created, so that and being in the image allowed God to become a man. but here we are designed to be in relationship with man. He has he's breathed his spirit in into into him. We are designed to hear what he says. We're designed to understand what he says. if you go to John 15, and we won't go there ex for a second time, but we are designed for answered prayers and complete joy because of our answered prayers. That's how we're we're designed. We're designed for shalom or slash peace, joy, and righteousness. Jeff Ward: Designed to be in relationship with man. He has he's breathed his spirit in in into him. We are designed to hear what he says. We're designed to understand what he says. if you go to John fifteen, and we won't go there exa for a sake of time, but we are designed for answered prayers and complete joy because of our answered prayers. That's how we're we're designed. We're designed for shalom or slash peace, joy, and righteousness. I found this quote Randy: I found this quote. I sent it to you on a on a different group and I can't remember where it came from. but let me just quote it. I'm not taking credit for it, but I I would like to give credit for it, but I can't. Anyway, it says any area of your life that doesn't glisten with hope means you are believing a lie. I'd add joy too. Any area of your life that doesn't glisten with joy means you are believing a lie. That's a great diagnostic tool for us. But Jeff Ward: sent it to you on a on a different group and I can't remember where it came from. but let me just quote it. I'm not taking credit for it, but I I'd like to give credit for it, but I can't. Anyway, it says any area of your life that doesn't glisten with hope means you are believing a lie. I'd add joy too. Any area of your life that doesn't glisten with joy means you are believing a lie. That's a great diagnostic tool for us. But Randy: We are designed for joy. We are designed for peace. We are designed for hope and righteousness. if you are not experiencing that in in some area of your life, you're thinking and believing the wrong things in that area of your life. Jeff Ward: We are designed for joy. We are designed for peace. We are designed for hope and righteousness. If you are not experiencing that in in some area of your life, you're thinking and believing the wrong things in that area of your life. And we're all guilty of it. But that's a great tool to help us work through our thought, help us to do what 2 Corinthians 10 says, take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Randy: And we're all guilty of it. But that's a great tool to help us work through our thought, help us to do what second Corinthians ten says, take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. But anyway, okay. Just from that one thing of him breathing into we can gather these things from us. And then then he's gonna place them in the garden. So let's let's read verses eight and nine. Okay. The Lord God planted orchard in the east in the Jeff Ward: Anyway, okay. Just from that one thing of him breathing in, we can gather these things. It's a lot from us. And then then he's going to place them in the garden. So let's let's read verses eight and nine. Okay. The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden, and there he placed a man he had formed. The Lord God had made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. Now the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were in the middle of the orchard. Okay. Randy: There he placed a man he had formed. The Lord God had made all kinds of soil. Every tree that was pleasing to look at ended the food. Now the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were in of the orchard. Okay. Let me just ask you a few questions. They're easy, don't panic, okay? You okay? who planted the orchard? God did, yeah. So God planted this orchard. And that's gonna I it's gonna come to point here in a minute. Who planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Jeff Ward: Just ask you few questions. They're easy. Don't panic, okay? You okay? Who planted the orchard? God. God did. Yeah. So God planted this orchard. That's gonna I it's gonna come to point here in a minute. Who planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? God. God did. Okay. You know, I'm I'm I question his wisdom there. I don't really. I'll tell you it's great wisdom. And where did he plant the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? In the middle. Right in the middle. I'm like, goodness gracious, couldn't you put it off in the you know the back. Randy: God did, okay. You know, I'm I'm I question his wisdom there. I don't really. I'll tell you it's great wisdom. And where did he plant the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? In the middle. Right in the middle. I'm like, goodness gracious, couldn't you put it off in the you know the back forty where we're where you know Adam wouldn't be? Yeah, maybe yeah, he maybe could get by with it. But it's right in the middle and it's right next to Jeff Ward: Yeah. He may not see that for a couple years. Yeah, he maybe survived it. But it's right in the middle and it's right next to the tree of life. That's that's crazy because the tree of life is a picture of Jesus Christ. It's a picture of us partaking of him for eternal life. Remember the the tree of life from Genesis, if you go read Genesis three, verses twenty-two and twenty-four, which we'll get there in later podcasts. But if you go read those verses, they were one of the reasons they were blocked out of Eden after Randy: The tree of life. That's that's crazy because the tree of life is a picture of Jesus Christ. It's a picture of us partaking of him for eternal life. Remember the the tree of life from Genesis. If you go read Genesis 3, verses 22 and 24, which we'll get there in later podcasts. But if you go read those verses, they were one of the reasons they were blocked out of Eden after they sinned was so they could not partake of the tree of life, so that they would not live forever. Because God did not want to. Jeff Ward: after they sinned was so they could not partake of the tree of life, so that they would not live forever. Because God did not want to trap them or, you know, form them into permanent in a place of permanent sin. They would not be able to be redeemed had they not had they lived forever. Randy: trap them or, you know, form them into permanent in a place of permanent sin. They would not be able to be redeemed had they not had they lived forever. And Jeff Ward: And and they would have lived forever if they kept partaking of the tree of life. So the tree of life is a picture of Jesus. We all cause also can imply from there is is they they regularly they regularly partook of that tree. Randy: and they would have lived forever if they kept partaking of the tree of life. So the tree of life is a picture of Jesus. We all c also can imply from there is is they they regularly they regularly partook of that tree. Jeff Ward: And I don't know what it was in it, it was a key nutrients or something that that cleansed their body, it did something that that allowed them to live forever. So they actually had to eat in from that tree in order to live forever. Randy: And I don't know what it was it, was a key nutrients or something that that cleansed their body. It did something that that allowed them to live forever. So they actually had to eat in from that tree in order to live forever. Which is, when you think through it, so what'd they do? So they, since those two trees were planted together and they had to eat regularly from one, they had to regularly walk past and not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Jeff Ward: Which is when you think through it, so what'd they do? So they since those two trees were planted together and they had to eat regularly from one, they had to regularly walk past and not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Okay? And we'll talk about that in chapter three more. But that's a command, and did we get that command then? No. Not yet. Okay. We know what happens. So let me talk to it for here for just second. Randy: Okay. And we'll talk about that in chapter three more. But that's a command. And do we get that command yet? Not yet. Okay. We know what happens. So let me talk to it for here for just a second. Because I think that's in my other notes. Anyway, I put here was this the dumbest mistake in all of eternity that God did? Or was it something ingenious and loving and full of wisdom? Jeff Ward: Because I got some other notes. Anyway, I put here, was this the dumbest mistake in all of eternity that God did? Or was it something ingenious and loving and full of wisdom? And we know him and we know his ways, so it's we know it's not the dumbest mistake in all of eternity. But haven't you kind of thought, well, mm, what if you hadn't put that tree there? Wouldn't all the bad things that happened not have happened? Randy: And we know him and we know his ways, so it's we know it's not the dumbest mistake in all eternity. But but haven't you kind of thought, well, mm, what if you hadn't put that tree there? Wouldn't all the bad things that happened not have happened? If if there had been no way for us to fall, then shouldn't we have picked that one? And wouldn't all the murders and the rapes and the child abuse and divorce and on and on and on and on Jeff Ward: If if there would have been no way for us to fall, then shouldn't we have picked that one? Right. And wouldn't all the murders and the rapes and the child abuse and divorce and on and on and on and on and all the evil in the world would have never happened? And I put here, the answer to that question would be yes, but Randy: All the evil in the world would have never happened. And I put here the answer to that question would be yes, but. Yes, but but there would be there could not have been love Jeff Ward: Yes, but but there would be there could not have been love. Randy: because love demands a choice. Love requires a choice, and we have a God who says he is love. And for him to be love and to be in a reling relationship, there has to be a choice. Without a choice, there is no love. And I put here, this also says that this is an ongoing Jeff Ward: Because love demands a choice. Love requires a choice, and we have a God who says He is love. And for Him to be love and to be in a loving relationship, there has to be a choice. Without a choice, there is no love. And I put here, this also says that this is an ongoing daily choice. I put daily in there. We don't know for sure how if they had to eat from it, but it's an ongoing regular choice. I'm gonna walk past that tree, not eat it. I'm gonna eat this tree because I have to. Randy: Daily choice. I put daily in there. We don't know for sure how often they had to eat from it, but it's an ongoing regular choice. I'm gonna walk past that tree, not eat it. I'm gonna eat this tree because I have to Jeff Ward: To keep living, but I'm not going to eat that tree because I love the one who told me not to eat from it. And that's a choice. With no choice, there is no love. With no choice, then life would be meaningless. Life would be loveless. We would be robots. there would be no real relationship. Randy: to keep living, but I'm not gonna eat that tree because I love the one who told me not to eat from it. And that's a choice. With no choice, there is no love. With no choice, then life would be meaningless, life would be loveless, we would be robots, there would be no real relationship. Jeff Ward: You know, like the we were just down there, we got a somewhat new dog down there, we were messing with her on the break. Randy: You know, like the we were just down there, we got a somewhat new dog down there, and we were messing with her on break. that dog doesn't there's no love relationship there. We say there is, but there really isn't. And why is there really not? Well, I picked her up when she was teeny tiny and I'm and I'm not gonna let her go and she has no choice. And so Jeff Ward: That dog doesn't there's no love relationship there. We say there is, but there really isn't. And why is there really not? Well, I picked her up when she was teeny tiny and I'm and I'm not gonna let her go and she has no choice. And so this aligns with doesn't this align with the new new covenant? What's it say in the new covenant? It said, take up your cross daily, deny yourself daily. That's love to deny myself in order to follow Christ. it's that same choice that Adam and Eve were making every day when they walked past the tree of knowledge of evil, following what out of love, what their father told them not to do, and eat of the one. Randy: This aligns with, doesn't this align with the new new covenant? What's it say new covenant? It said, take up your cross daily, deny yourself daily. That's love to deny myself in order to follow Christ. it's that same choice that Adam and Eve were making every day when they walked past the tree of knowledge, good evil, following what out of love, what their father told them not to do, and eat of the one. Let me just read what I put. I put God put that tree in the middle of the garden so that we could enjoy an authentic love relationship with our Father and Creator. And in the process, God is raised in the process of redemption now, in this total process where you and I sit now, in that process, God has raised us up above the angels. He set us to rule over not only this age, but the ones plural, the ones to come. Without that tree. Jeff Ward: Let just read what I put. I put God put that tree in the middle of the garden so that we could enjoy an authentic love relationship with our Father and Creator. And in the process, God is raised, in the process of redemption now, in this total process where you and I sit now, in that process, God has raised us up above the angels. He set us to rule over not only this age, but the ones, plural, the ones to come. Without that tree, God would never be known and saved. Randy: God would never be known as Savior. He would never be known as Redeemer. He would never be known as Emmanuel. God with us. We would never have been one with our Creator. Jeff Ward: He would never be known as Redeemer. He would never be known as Emmanuel. God with us. We would never have been one with our creator. Randy: We are so much further above Adam and Eve. And he made, they made a bad choice. He redeemed us. And now we can make the right choice. And now God becomes all these things to us. And we are now seated at the right hand of the Father in Christ. And Christ is in us. God Himself is in us. Jeff Ward: We are so much further above Adam and Eve. And and he and he made they made a bad choice. He redeemed us and now we can make it make the right choice and now God becomes all these things to us. And we are now seated at the right hand of the Father in Christ. And Christ is in us. God himself is in us. So anyway, we'll move on. Randy: So anyway, we'll move on. Any questions, Commissary? A redeemed man is better than a perfect man. well if a perfect man is Jesus Christ, no. If the perfect man is Adam, yes. Yeah. He's above and we are above. Yeah. the psalmist says we were create you created me a little below the angels, and now I'm above the angels for just for a little while. And we are in fact above the angels because we are above all creations, see at the right hand of the Father in Christ. And we that's Ephesians two, obviously, a long time ago, right? Jeff Ward: Man is Jesus Christ. No. No, I mean yes. Yeah. He's above and we are above. Yeah. the psalmist says we're created you created me a little below the angels, and now I'm above the angels. Yeah. Or just we're a little while. And we are in fact above the angels because we are above all creations, see at the right hand of the Father in Christ. Yeah. That's Ephesians two, obviously. Yep. Yep. let's see. Randy: Yep. let's see. sign exactly where to go next or or how to go next. And you're like, Randy should have already said that. I mean, decide that. I know. I know. Now what's that? Just edit it. Yeah, there you go. I I have some some kind of slightly offshoot topics that I wanna talk about when we get but I'll I might put those at the end. Jeff Ward: exactly where to go next or or how to go next. You know, Randy should already said that. I mean decide that. I know. This can be edited out. I know now. What's that? It's gonna be edited out. Take your time. I I have some some kind of slightly offshoot topics that I want to talk about when we get I'll I might put those at the end. Randy: I do want to back up 'cause I got a marginal note here too. let's go read Colossians nine and ten in this idea that you just said. What did you just say? It's better to be a redeemed man than a perfect man. Then to have been still perfect. Yeah. Or that it's better to be redeemed. Yeah. Yeah, he redeemed us to a higher level. Let's go read Colossians two, nine through ten. That's a good little stopping off point. Two nine and ten. Jeff Ward: Let's go read Colossians nine and ten in this idea that you just said. What did you just say? It's better to be a redeemed man than a perfect man? Than to have been still perfect. Yeah. Or that is better to be redeemed. That is a better Yeah, he redeemed us to a higher level. Let's go read Colossians two, nine through ten. That's a good little stopping off point. Two, nine and ten. For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Okay, so Randy: For in him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form. And you have been filled the head over every ruler and authority. Okay, so Jeff Ward: The f he in verse nine is Jesus Christ. We kind of picked up mid-conversation there. But it says Jesus Christ is the fullness of deity in bodily form. And we have been filled in him. That's verse 10, who is the head over every ruler in authority. So Randy: the f he in verse nine is Jesus Christ. We've kind of picked up mid-conversation there. But it says, Jesus Christ is the fullness of deity in bodily form. And we have been filled in him. That's verse ten, who is the head over every ruler in authority. So Jeff Ward: the word Randy: The word fullness of deity and we have been filled in him, that's the same word. Filled and fullness. One's a noun and one's a verb. But in Greek it's the exact same word except for changing the structure slightly to make it a verb versus a noun Jeff Ward: Fullness of deity and we have been filled in him, that's the same word. Filled and fullness. One's a noun and one's a verb. But in Greek it's the exact same word except for changing the structure slightly to make it a verb versus a noun. Randy: for us. So Jeff Ward: So we are, I'm not saying we're deity. What I'm saying is, but we are filled with the fullness of deity. 1 Corinthians 6, 17 is another thing that talks about us being one with Jesus Christ. And we'll talk about that here in a minute or in the next section about marriage when we talk about Eve. But we've been filled with him. We are one with deity. Adam was never that. So you're exactly right. And these new covenant verses talk about this new creation that's brand new and different than Adam ever. Randy: We are, I'm not saying we're deity. What I'm saying is, but we are filled with the fullness of deity. 1 Corinthians 6, 17 is another thing that talks about us being one with Jesus Christ. And we'll talk about that here in a minute or in the next section about marriage when we talk about Eve. But we've been filled with him, we are one with deity. Adam was never that. So you're exactly right. And these new covenant verses talk about this new creation that's brand new and different than Adam ever Jeff Ward: ever Randy: was. Jeff Ward: was Randy: And without being redeemed, it was ever going to be. But now we are new creations and we are truly filled with the divinity of Jesus Christ. That's part of being created in his in his image. Okay, let's go to Jeff Ward: and without being redeemed it was ever going to be. But now we are new creations and we are truly filled with the divinity of Jesus Christ. That's part of being created in his in his image. Okay. Let's go to Randy: let's keep going. Let's skip a little bit. Let's go to 15, 16, and 17. Jeff Ward: Keep going. Let's skip a little bit. Let's go to fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. Okay. The Lord God took the man and placed him in the or orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it. Then the Lord God commanded the man, You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die. Okay, there's the commandment. Anyway. Randy: Eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die. Okay, there's the command. my dude, man. Anyway, Adam's jobs. He had jobs, isn't that interesting? Note they had a job before the fall. That's key. Many of us don't like work and work can be tough sometimes, but it's but in heaven, on the new heaven and then and on the new earth, we will have jobs. Jeff Ward: Adam's jobs. He had jobs, isn't that interesting? Mm-hmm. Nope they had a job before the fall. That's key. Many of us don't like work, and work can be tough sometimes, but it's but in heaven, on the new heaven, and then and on the new earth, we all have jobs. Yeah. jobs are not a part of the fall. We'll talk about that. They're not a burden. No. Randy: jobs are not a part of the fall. We'll talk about that in verse three. No. The the ground has been cursed against us, so when our sweater brow, it returns thorns. But work, jobs, meaningful things to do, we were created for those, and we were these happened before the fall. So he's and there's job is to care for and maintain the garden. and then here's the command. I'm like, Jeff Ward: The ground has been cursed against us, so when our sweater brow it returns thorns. But work, jobs, meaningful things to do, we were created for those and we were these happened before the fall. So he's and there's job is to care for and maintain the garden. and then here's the command. My the command. Adam you have one command. Randy: The command. Adam, you have one command. Don't mess it up. I'm like, dude, there's only one. You know, we have like six hundred in the old covenant and eight hundred in the new covenant, if if if you believe the way people count him, a bunch, whatever you're you're in. I'm like, don't do it. And here's a it's very interesting. He doesn't warn him, he just says, Don't do that. He doesn't say, and be careful, because there's some some beings around that want you to do that. He doesn't prepare him a ahead of time or doesn't seem to. Jeff Ward: Don't mess it up. I might do it, there's only one. You know, we have like six hundred in the old covenant and eight hundred in the new covenant, if if if you believe the way people count A bunch, whatever you're you're in. I'm like, don't do it. And here's a it very interesting. He doesn't warning. He just says don't do that. He doesn't say, and be careful, because there's some some beings around that want you to do that. He doesn't prepare him a ahead of time or doesn't seem to. Just give it says that don't do that. Why? Because it you're Randy: Just give it says it don't do that. Why? Because it's you're Jeff Ward: You're not going to do it for the sole reason of love. You're going choose love instead of not. And then, and we're always going to come back to that in Genesis chapter 3 when we get there. So we're going to kind of move on from that just a little bit. Although we are going to look at one of the things. Note also here he says in verse 16: then the Lord commanded the man, You may freely eat Randy: not going to do it for the sole reason of love. You're going to choose love instead of not. And then we're obviously going to come back to that in Genesis chapter three when we get there. So we're going kind of move on from that just a little bit. Although we are going to look at one of the things. Note also here he says in verse 16 Then the Lord commanded the man, You may freely eat. Jeff Ward: fruit from every tree of the orchard. Randy: fruit from every tree of the orchard. Jeff Ward: freely eat. That's that's one thing that Eve's not gonna recue on that Satan leaves out in her temptation. But it this applies to us too. This freely eat. What I want to say, after the fall, we are fatherless orphans. We have and we carry that spirit or that mentality with us. Randy: freely eat. That's that's one thing that Eve's not going to recue on that Satan leaves out in her temptation. But it this applies to us too. This freely eat. What I want to say, after the fall, we are fatherless orphans. We have and we carry that spirit or that mentality with us. Jeff Ward: We are fearful in his presence. We'll go, look, no longer are we walking and running to his presence. After the fall, we're running when he shows up, we run in fear from him. That's Randy: We are fearful in his presence. We'll go, look, no longer are we walking and running to his presence. After the fall, we're running when he shows up, we run in fear from him. That's Jeff Ward: That's Randy: a fatherless orphan spirit. As orphans, we are hoarders. we are competitive. your gain is my loss. Jeff Ward: a fatherless orphan spirit. As orphans we are hoarders. We are competitive. Your gain is my loss. Randy: So I can't be happy for your gain. I can't enjoy good things happen to you because in an orphan spirit, then your good means I get bad. Jeff Ward: So I can't be happy for your gain. I can't enjoy good things happen to you because in an orphan spirit, then your good means I get bad. And then here's the worst thing of all. We take that orphan spirit, that that hoarding, competitive spirit, that limiting, you know, there's only so more resource hiding and hoarding spirit, and we take it and we imprint it back up on God. And Randy: And then here's the worst thing of all. We take that orphan spirit, that that hoarding, competitive spirit, that limiting, you know, there's only so more resource hiding and hoarding spirit, and we take it and we imprint it back upon God. And we take Jeff Ward: We take that Randy: that mindset and we make it about him and we go, Well, he's just better version of us is kind of what we think. And like, no, he's Isaiah fifty five tells he's not even in the same league. as the sky is above the earth, so are his ways above our ways and his thoughts above our thoughts. so we make him out to be stingy and all those things. But here he said, Freely eat. That's the then it's a command. Then the Lord God commanded the man, you may freely eat Jeff Ward: mindset and we make it about him and we go, well, he's just a better version of us, is kind of what we think. And then like, no, he's Isaiah 55 tells he's not even in the same league. as the sky is above the earth, so are his ways above our ways and his thoughts above our thoughts. so we make him out to be stingy and all those things. But here he said, freely eat. That's the and it's a command. Then the Lord God commanded the man, you may freely eat. Randy: from everything except just one tree. flip over to First Corinthians two twelve. Jeff Ward: 212. Listen for the word freely in there. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. That is the purpose of the Holy Spirit being given to us. Many of us, because of our because we've not abandoned this orphan spirit, this fatherlessness. Randy: And listen for the word freely in there. Now we have not received who is from God, may know the things that are freely given to us by God. That is the purpose of the Holy Spirit being given to us. Many of us, because of our because we've not abandoned this orphan spirit, this fatherlessness, and and not fully come into the presence of our Father through Jesus Christ. Jeff Ward: And and not fully come into the presence of our Father through Jesus Christ. Many of us think that God gave the Holy Spirit to keep us in line. He gave the Holy Spirit to make us feel bad when we do bad. He gave the Holy Spirit to thump us on the head as punishment when we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing or show up in the wrong place. That this says that the Holy Spirit was given to us so that we may know the things that we were freely given by. Randy: Many of us think that God gave the Holy Spirit to keep us in line. He gave the Holy Spirit to to make us feel bad when we do bad. He gave the Holy Spirit to thump us on the head as punishment when we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing or show up in the wrong place. That this says that the Holy Spirit was given to us so that we may know the things that we were freely given by freely given by God. He's given us more than we can comprehend, but he's given us himself to live within us, to make us aware, and to teach us and to show us what he has freely given us as new covenant believers. That is awesome. And that is a mindset that we don't have in just automatically. We have to focus on God's truth. We have to train or renew our mind into that. Jeff Ward: Just automatically. Right. We have to focus on God's truth. We have to train or renew our mind into that. Yeah. And that's part of Romans 12, 2, renewing our mind. It's renewing our mind into the truth, focusing on truth. Philippians says, you know, whatever's good, worthy, and excellent, and trustworthy. Put your put your mind on that. Colossians 3 says says says, set your mind on the things above, where you are in Christ Jesus. those are all things that that point to this that we need to read. Randy: And that's part of Romans 12, too, renewing our mind. It's renewing our mind into the truth, focusing on truth. Philippians says, you know, whatever is good and worthy and excellent and trustworthy. Put your put your mind on that. Colossians 3 says, says, says, set your mind on the things above, where you are in Christ Jesus. those are all things that that point to this that we need to re renew our mind to that. And let's go. let's keep going. These next ones are a little bit funny. I want you to read eight through eighteen through twenty, but the part about Eve, we're gonna save until the next time. So but eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Okay. The Lord God said, It is not good for man, the man, to be alone. I will make a companion for who corresponds to him. Jeff Ward: Let's keep going. This next one's a little bit funny. I want you to read eight through eighteen through twenty, but the part about Eve, we're gonna save until the next time. So but eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Okay. The Lord God said, It is not good for man, the man, to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him. The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever Randy: The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was his name. So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air and the living creatures of the field. But for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found. Jeff Ward: The man called each living creature, that was his name. So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found. Okay. Randy: So Getting caught up here. Okay, so let's talk about his his job. The the verses 18 and 20 primarily talk about Eve. And we're going to talk about that in a whole nother lesson because we're going to talk about Eve, hit her creation and the creation of marriage or the establishment of marriage. So but here's another job. Name all the animals. Jeff Ward: Eve hit her creation in the creation of marriage or the establishment of marriage. So but here's another job. Name all the animals. Randy: And we go, okay. And we rewrite past that and go, okay, go name all the animals. Here's a few thoughts on that. First of all, this takes only a couple of verses to say. Jeff Ward: And we go, okay, and we rewrite past saying, okay, go name all the animals. Here's a few thoughts on that. First of all, this takes only a couple of verses to say, but this could have taken years to do. I I read one estimate, it was a off the cuff estimate of a hundred years plus. Dude, yeah, because there's a gazillion animal animals. Think about this. Randy: But this could have taken years to do. I read one estimate, it was a off the cuff estimate of a hundred years plus. And I'm like, dude, yeah, because there's a gazillion animal animals. Think about this. just think about what we know of the living creatures on planet Earth just today. There are 400,000 known species of beetle. 400,000. I mean, just to name those is going to take a while. The estimate is there's actually one to two million different species of beetles, but we just haven't discovered you know, half to two-thirds to most of So we know of four hundred thousand, but we think there's one to two million beetles. That's just the beetles. Okay. Let's not talk about everything else. So yeah, this wasn't something he did in an afternoon, probably. Yeah. And Jeff Ward: So we know of four hundred thousand, but we think there's one to two million beetles. That's just the Beatles. Mm-hmm. Okay? Let's not talk about everything else. So yeah, this wasn't something he did in an afternoon, probably. Interesting. Yeah. And what are we doing? We did that today. What are we doing tomorrow? Yeah. And before the fall, get this. Before the fall and before the plu flood, there were many more animals and creatures than today. And Randy: And before the five day, what are we doing tomorrow? Yeah. And before the fall, get this. Before the fall and before the plu flood, there were many more animals and creatures than today. And here's what the evolution what the evolutionists want you to believe. They want you to believe that we started with a small number of creatures, one, a one celled creature, Jeff Ward: Here's what the evolution of the evolutionists want you to believe. They want you to believe that we started with a small number of creatures, one, a one celled creature. Randy: and it somehow spontaneously came into being. Jeff Ward: And it somehow spontaneously came into being. And it's alive. Suddenly it came into living. And then that one branched out, it kept branching out and until the animals we have today. That's not reality. The reality was that in Genesis chapter one, this earth was created full of color and full of sounds and diversity like we've never known. Right. Because the fall has caused extinction after extinction after extinction. It's not the other way around. Randy: And it's alive, suddenly came into living. And then that one branched out and kept branching out and until the animals we have today. That's not reality. The reality was that in Genesis chapter one, this earth was created full of color and full of sounds and diversity like we've never known. Because the fall has caused extinction after extinction after extinction. It's not the other way around. Jeff Ward: Right. This planet is not growing in species. The species are being reduced probably every day. Yeah. So the four hundred thousand or the two million beetles might have been twenty million beetles. Right. Just think about it. This is gonna take a while. Okay. And and I have some more thoughts on this and then we will because this is gonna be the part we're gonna end today. Another thought. That doesn't mean we're about done though. Randy: This planet is not growing in species. The species are being reduced probably every day. So the 400,000 or the two million beetles might have been 20 million beetles. Just think about it. This is going to take a while. Okay. And and I have some more thoughts on this and then we will, because this is going to be the part where we'll end today. Another thought. That doesn't mean we're about done though. Jeff Ward: don't get excited anyone. Continue your drive. Continue your drive. Mow the lawn more. So another thought here. Randy: what'd he do? He Yeah, don't get excited. Don't don't turn it off. No more. So another thought here. God God formed, God brought, and Adam named. And then that was its name. I think, and this might be kind of crazy, but I think I think Adam just didn't name them like we think of a name. He I think he was participating in the in the in game creation of them. And here's what I mean by that. In the Bible, names mean something that they don't meet in the West. Okay, so they have much more meaning. For instance, Abraham means exalted father. Jesus changes Abram. Abram means exalted father. God changed his name to Abraham, which means father of many. Sarah, his wife, or Sarah means princess. Sarah, God changed her name to mean mother of nations. Talking about words being powerful. So these two are Talking back and forth, going, hey Exalted Father, hey Princess. Hey, Exalted Father, hey Princess, back and forth in their day, and people in their town are calling them that. And these words are fine. And unless you want nations to come out of these two. So then you change their name to Father of Many and Mother of Nations. Hey, good morning, Father of Many. Well, good mor good nor good morning, Mother of Nations. By changing their vocabulary and what they speak out, he changes their destiny. Jeff Ward: And back and forth, going, Hey Exalted Father, hey Princess. Hey, Exalted Father, hey Princess, back and forth in their day, and people in their town are calling them that. And these words are fine, and unless you wanted nations to come out of these two. So then you change their name to Father of Many and Mother of Nations. Hey, good morning, Father of Many. Well, good morning, good morning, good morning, Mother of Nations. By changing their vocabulary and what they speak out, he changes their destiny. I believe God changed the way they speak. Randy: I here, God changed the way they speak Jeff Ward: Every day by changing their names and then by changing how they speak, change what they were doing. let's see. I put here, what if what if Adam being a created being, because he's creating God's image, and he's created an image of the one who spoke into existence everything we know and see? What if Randy: every day by changing their names. And then by changing how they speak, changed what they were doing. let's see. I put here, what if what if Adam being a creative being, because he's creating God's image, and he's creating the image of the one who spoke into existence everything we know and see? What if they, being the animals he named, what if they actually took on the characteristics of the names that Adam gave them? Think about that. Jeff Ward: They being the animals he named, what if they actually took on the characteristics of the names that Adam gave them? Think about that. Because the names in in in the Bible are powerful, what if he actually formed the Randy: Because the names in in in Bible are powerful, what if he actually formed the end product or the end thing, the end creation of them as he was doing it. What if they actually took on those characteristics? Here's here's my theory and I've got some explanation that I will make here using the meaning of these words. I c my per my theory is this that Adam participated Jeff Ward: end product or the end thing, the end creation of them as he was doing it? What if they actually took on those characteristics? Here's here's my theory, and I've got some explanation that I will make here using the meaning of these words. I go my period my theory is this that Adam participated. In creation. Adam didn't just see a kangaroo and give it a name, but Adam saw an animal come up to him, then gave it a name that meant animal with a pouch that hops on back legs and kicks the stuffing out of tourist. Randy: in creation. Adam j didn't just see a kangaroo and give it a name, but Adam saw an animal come up to him, then gave it a name that meant animal with a pouch that hops on back legs and kicks the stuffing out of tourist. Jeff Ward: Then, by the fact of a perfect man created in the image of God, speaking its new name, that kangaroo that crawled up now hops off, looking down, checking out his new pouch. Randy: Then by the fact of a perfect man created in the image of God, speaking its new name, that can hangaroo that crawled up now hops off looking down, checking out his new pouch. It's an intriguing thought, but it is it is a I think it aligns with the understanding of who we are in Christ, but also who Adam was as this as this perfect man. And as I looked at these, I went and looked up some of the words. Jeff Ward: It's an intriguing thought, but it is it is a I think it aligns with the understanding of who we are in Christ, but also who Adam was as this as this perfect man. And a as I looked at these, I went and looked up some of the words. Mine in the NET that you just read, there's name twice. let me go. It says, God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man Randy: Mine in the NET that you just read, there's name twice. let me go. It says God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man who Jeff Ward: to see what he would name them. Yep. And whatever the man called each creature. Randy: To see what he would name them. And whatever the man called each creature, Jeff Ward: That was its name. So the first thing named there, if you go read at most other versions, it doesn't say what he would name them. It says what he would call them. It's a different word. So the first time there is a Hebrew word. The second version of name that we just read in the N-E-T, that name is a these are two completely different words. So let's talk about the first one says. Randy: that was its name. So the first thing name there, if you go read at most other versions, it doesn't say what he would name them, it says what he would call them. It's a different word. So the first time there is a is a Hebrew word, the second version of name that we just read in the NET, that name is a th these are two completely different words. So let's talk about the first one says. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them. Here's what that word means. It means, and the New King James says what he would call them. But literally in Hebrew, it says, to see what he would call forth. Jeff Ward: He brought them to the man to see what he would name them. Here's what that word means. It means, and the New King James says what he would call them. But later in Hebrew it says, to see what he would call forth. Randy: That's that's a huge w difference than just giving them a name. It's certainly the way we think of it in the West. He so God formed and brought the animals to see what Adam would call forth. Jeff Ward: That's that's a huge w difference than just giving them a name. It's certainly the way we think of it in the West. He so God formed and brought the animals to see what Adam would call forth. I think that's where I think that's where he's calling forth some of these characteristics of of there. It also means to proclaim, to proclaim or to call out. in the second verse in verse 19, the word name, it's a mark of individuality. Randy: I think that's where I think that's where he's calling forth some of these characteristics of of there. It also means to proclaim, to proclaim or to call out. in the second verse in verse 19, the word name, it's a mark of individuality or a mark of identity. So he's first calling forth. The God just goes, Okay, what is Adam going to call forth out of this? Okay, that's what that's his new identity. Jeff Ward: We're a mark of identity. So he's first calling forth. The God just goes, okay, what is Adam going to call forth out of this? Okay, that's what that's his new identity. So that's what's actually going on there. Some other things I put this, I've already said it, but I'll say it again because I'm reading here. It says reading my own words. It says that this follows how ancient Hebrews thought of names. This also matches what God says about the power of our words or what. Randy: so that's what's actually going on there. Some other things I put this I've already said about say it again because I'm reading here. It says reading my own words. It says that this follows how ancient Hebrews thought of names. This also matches what God says about the power of our words or what the Bible says about the power of our words in God's word. This also continually lines up with the idea of God's desire and design for us to be co-laborers with Him in ruling and reigning planet Earth. Jeff Ward: says about the power of the words in God's word. This also continually lines up with the idea of God's desire and design for us to be co-laborers with Him in ruling and reigning planet Earth. Interesting. Yeah. I think that first name is summoned too, like yeah. Like you said, called forth. Yeah. Interesting. Let's take let's form them and take them at him and see what he will call for. He's gonna call wow, that one he called forth a long necked, long leg thing that we know is a giraffe. Hm. And the dude walked out or maybe it took days, who knows? Maybe it went instantaneous, but that thing became this big old long legged, long neck thing that he's horn. Does it matter? Am I right? Randy: Yeah, to me I just first name is summoned to like Yeah. Like you said, called forth. Yeah. Let's take let's form them and take them out of and see what he will call forth. He's gonna call that one he called forth a long necked, long leg thing that we know as a giraffe. And the dude walked out or maybe it took days, who knows? Maybe it wasn't instantaneous, but that thing became this big old long legged, long necked thing that eats horned. Does it matter if am I right? we won't know in this world. but it's it it certainly is supported by how God works by putting man in the middle of this creation and the actual words that the Hebrew has. Jeff Ward: It's it it certainly is supported by how God works. Yeah. Put man in the middle of this creation and the actual words that the Hebrew has. I mean it makes sense for a relational Randy: Yeah. Jeff Ward: God to make man in his image and go, Hey, let's go name these let's go finish finish up with these animals or however you want to term it. Interesting. I like that. Let's say here's what I know regardless, let's say I'm wrong right. Randy: Hey, let's go name these. Let's go Yeah. Finish finish up with these animals, however you want to term it. Yeah. Interesting. I like that. Let's say, here's one other thing. Regardless. Let's say I'm wrong, right, doesn't matter. Whate and this is this is the thing we kinda need to get need to meditate on and get on. I put here regardless, whatever the process was, it was punctuated by a bunch of laughter and pure joy. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And this is this is the thing we kinda need to get need to meditate on and get on. I put here regardless, whatever the process was, it was punctuated by a bunch of laughter and pure joy. Sure. I mean, creation, God as a creator of God gets joy out of it. You know Adam as being one creating his image had joy out. And you know they spent all day together or a hundred years together, or however long it took him to name gazillions of animals. And he sat there and there's this man performing the work given to him, performing the purpose that he was designed for, as he's in fellowship with his creator, as he's sitting there and every living creature is is watching this happen. Randy: I mean, creation, God as a creator got gets joy out of it. You know, Adam as being one created in his image had joy out. And you know, they spent all day together or a hundred years together, or however long it took him to name gazillions of animals. And he sat there and here's this man performing the work given to him, performing the purpose that he was designed for, as he's in fellowship with his creator, as he's sitting there and every living creature is is watching this happen. watching this man who's just laughing and enjoying everything. And then there's this little side note that says, But after doing all that, he didn't find anybody that looked like him. Jeff Ward: And then there's this little side note that says, But after doing all that he didn't find anybody that looked like Mm-hmm. And God says that's not good. Interesting. And we'll cover that next week when God says that's not good. Let me let me summarize some things, then I wanna go off on a tangent here but just say if that's okay. We've seen for the last two weeks that's kind of been melded in here this covenant. God not only just created a man and then a ve and then a also a woman and put them in a garden. Randy: And God says that's not good. And we'll cover that next week when God says that's not good. Let me let me summarize some things, then I want to go off on a tangent here, but just saying if that's okay. We've seen for the last two weeks that's kind of been melded in here this covenant. God not only just created a man and then eventually also a woman and put them in a garden. Jeff Ward: He created them in covenant. There's a covenant relationship that he's created and he says, You guys are in charge of this planet and I will work Randy: He created them in covenant. There's a covenant relationship that he's created and he says, you guys are in charge of this planet and I will work my will through you. God is a God of of communion. God is a God of fellowship. And he does not, he's he didn't just build he doesn't he's not a God who wants just by himself make all these decisions and just like it'd be like playing Monopoly and and with at a table with four chairs and it's just you and you change chairs as you roll the dice. He's not like that. He wants to interact. And so he's designed this into him. This covenant also, though, is unconditional. Jeff Ward: God is a God of fellowship. And he does not, he's he didn't just build he doesn't he's not a God who wants just by himself make all these decisions and just like it'd be like playing Monopoly and and with at a table with four chairs and it's just you and you change chairs as you roll the dice. He's not like that. He wants to interact. And so he's designed this into him. This covenant also, though, is unconditional. So when Satan or when Adam obeys Satan, Randy: So when Satan or when Adam obeys Satan, Satan becomes his master and he is now doing Satan's will through man. And Jesus Christ had to come and wrestle that back as a man because this is unconditional. I before I understood the legal aspect of the Bible and the legal aspect as God speaks, I thought, well, you know, dude, as soon as they bit into that apple, Jeff Ward: Satan becomes his master, and he is now doing Satan's will through man. And Jesus Christ had to come and wrestle that back as a man because this is unconditional. Before I understood the legal aspect of the Bible and the legal aspect as God speaks, I thought, well, you know, dude, as soon as they bit into that apple, just bring down two lightning bolts, but boom-boom, both them are gone, and just start all over. You don't even have to. Randy: Just bring down two lightning bolts, but boo-boom, both of them are gone. And just start all over. You don't even have to tell us you start it all over. Just don't write it in Genesis 1. Just start all over. But he couldn't, because he designed it such that he gave man charge and he gave man the will to choose which tree. Because love demands free will. Without free will, there is no love. So he created a being that he wants to have a love relationship. So he gave them free will. And we'll discuss as we keep going by Peter. Satan is still legally exercising his will by way of this covenant through non-believers and believers who are deceived. His accusations of believers are meant to get you to question your identity and change your confession. You are created in the image of God. Your words are powerful because of Jeff Ward: And we'll discuss as we keep going about Peter. Satan is still legally exercising his will by way of this covenant through non-believers and believers who are deceived. His accusations of believers are meant to get you to question your identity and change your confession. You are created in the image of God. Your words are powerful because of Randy: how you were created in the covenant of Adam. The new covenant through the blood of Jesus restores and multiplies your position and power in your words. We talked about we're even we're created and recreated as a new creation above where Adam was created. Jeff Ward: covenant through the blood of Jesus restores and multiplies your position and power in your words. Randy: but this creates a very different picture than most of us believers see. Don't let deception and unbelief trap you in some false humility that denies the truth. True humility is bold, it it believes what has been spoken over you. True humility and faith will look like arrogance to the arrogant and the unbelieving. Let me read that again. True humility and faith will look like arrogance to the arrogant and unbelieving. That's why persecution exists. That's why persecution generally starts in the church. Jeff Ward: That's why persecution generally starts in the church against believers. It is that way in Revelation. It was that way in Acts. It was that way with Jesus. It was the religious elite that killed Jesus or that brought him to trial and crucified him. Of course he laid his life down, but it was through the mechanism of of of unbelieving, arrogant people thinking they were human. Randy: against believers. It is that way in Revelation. It was that way in Acts. It was that way with Jesus. It was the religious elite that killed Jes or that brought him to trial and crucified him. Of course he laid his life down, but it was through the mechanism of of of unbelieving, arrogant people thinking they were humility, but it wasn't. I put here, most of us are waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything. What if Jesus gave us the authority and power to fix stuff now? His instructions were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. His commands were to speak his will into the earth as it is in heaven. And I can't find anywhere in Scripture where these assignments have changed. And it all starts back here in this first covenant given to Adam. Crazy, isn't it? Jeff Ward: Here, most of us are waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything. What if Jesus gave us the authority and power to fix stuff now? His instructions were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. His commands were to speak his will into the earth as it is in heaven. And I can't find anywhere in Scripture where these assignments have changed. Yeah. And it all starts back here in this first covenant given to Adam. Yep. Crazy, isn't it? Yes. Randy: I wanna go off on a quick tangent before I do any questions or comments along those lines. Jeff Ward: I wanna go off one quick tangent before I do any questions or comments along those lines. Nope. Randy: Okay. I've said it a few times, so I want to explain myself that the big bang theory actually is on our side. It's on the side of the Bible. and I have this book and I'll hold it up in case any are videoing, but it says it's on guard is the name of it. Jeff Ward: Okay. I've said it a few times, so I want to explain myself that the big bang theory actually is on our side. It's on the side of the Bible. Yep. and I have this book. But it says, it's on guard is the name of it. Defending your faith with reason and precision. The Ford is by Lee Strobel, and it's written by a man named William Lane Craig. So there it is. On guard. Randy: Defending your faith with reason and precision. The Ford is by Lee Strobel, and it's written by a man named William Lane Craig. So there it is, on guard. This man is a in this book. Well, this man is a philosopher. He's a Christian, obviously. Christian philosopher. He goes around and has debates with atheist very athletics. Jeff Ward: This man is a in this book well this man is a philosopher. He's a Christian, obviously. Christian philosopher. He goes around and has debates with atheist, very highly intellectual atheists, and they can't they don't even have an answer to this book and his arguments in this book. Lee Strobel and guys like Randy: highly intellectual atheist and they can't they don't even have an answer to this book and his arguments in this book. Lee Strobel and guys like Who else am I thinking? More than a carpenter. Josh McDowell. Yeah, Josh McDowell. Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel go goes a little bit, but like Josh McDowell is talking about apologetics, which is Jesus is God, Jesus the proof that Jesus raised from the dead, said he would, and and therefore confirmed all these things and is in fact who he says he was. This is not like that. This is proofs for there is a God. Jeff Ward: More than a carpenter. Josh McDowell. Yeah, Josh McDowell. Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel go goes a little bit but like Josh McDowell is talking about apologetics, which is Jesus is God, Jesus the proof that Jesus raised from the dead, said he would, and and therefore confirmed all these things and is in fact who he says he was. This is not like that. This is proofs for there is a God. That God exists because William Lane Craig, his contention is that in this world that we live in today, is that you don't go to somebody and try to tell them about Jesus, you have to first go to him and convince there is a God. He goes, fifty years ago, everybody knew there was a God and you had to come talk to him. He goes, now God is kind of placed in the same category as a unicorn or some other mythical creature, right? Randy: And God exists because William Lane Craig, his contention is that in this world that we live in today, is that you don't go to somebody and try to tell about Jesus. You have to first go to him and convince there is a God. He goes, fifty years ago everybody knew there was a God and you had to come talk to him. He goes, Now God is kind of placed in the same category as a unicorn or some other mythical creature, right? Jeff Ward: And so you have to convince them. Randy: And so you have to convince him Jeff Ward: That there is, and that's what he's he's gone against. So he has this in one of the part of this book, he's got a logical argument, and the argument has two premises and a conclusion. To prove the conclusion wrong, you have to disprove both premises or any one of the premises. If you can do that, then the conclusion is wrong. But here's the two premises one premise is everything that began to exist has a cause. The second premise is the universe began to exist. So you have to prove that Randy: that there is, and that's what he's he's gone against. So he has this in one of the part of this book, he's got a logical argument, and the argument has two premises and a conclusion. To prove the conclusion wrong, you have to disprove both premises or any one of the premises. If you can do that, then the conclusion conclusion is wrong. But here's the two premises. One premise is everything that began to exist has a cause. The second premise is the universe began to exist. So you have to prove that. Jeff Ward: things can come into existence without a cause. Randy: Things can come into existence without a cause to misprove the other one, or you have to approve that the universe did not begin to exist. So in other words, the universe has been here forever. those are false first of all, everything began to exist has a cause. You can prove that right by just thinking a little bit that things don't just happen automatically. Even small things don't happen automatically. or by themselves. And even if they did, why would a universe spontaneously come into existence? Why not a chair? Why not a piano? How did all the things that possibly could have snapped into t to existence been not been a universe? And then you would go, Well, Jeff Ward: or by themselves. And even if they did, why would a universe spontaneously come into existence? Why not a chair? Right. Why not a piano? How did all the things that possibly could have snapped into t to existence been not been a universe? And then you would go, Well Randy: and then if why are there not a gazillion universes? And why is there not why is the universe the only thing that spontaneously comes to in into existence? Jeff Ward: And then if why are there not a gazillion mo universes? And why is there not why is a universe the only thing that spontaneously comes to an existence? Why didn't that piano over there come into existence? Or why don't we get a chair in here and a you know, another chair? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Randy: Why didn't that piano over there come into existence? Yeah, yeah. As you learn some of these in this book and this is one, you understand some of the shows and the fiction that you see. The multiverse or more than one universe. Jeff Ward: As you learn some of these in this book and this is one, you understand some of the shows and the fiction that you see. The multiverse or more than one universe is some of the answer to this. But that doesn't answer why only universes spontaneously begin to exist. They don't exist in one instance and then they begin to exist. So that's how when the universe began to exist, that's the you know, that violates if it is eternal, it has always existed, then the law of thermal Randy: is some of the answer to this, but that doesn't answer why only universes spontaneously begin to exist. They don't exist in one instance and then they begin to exist. So that's how when the universe began to exist, that's the you know that violates if it is eternal, it has always existed, then the law of thermo thermodynamics said we would all be at absolute zero, cold, dark, that's what the universe would be already, because it's already been infinite in time. Jeff Ward: thermodynamics said we would all be at absolute zero, cold, dark that's what the universe would be already because it's always infinite time. Yeah. Law of thermodynamics says always breaking down. And we can he can go some things in that. So but so what's the big bang theory say? The Big Bang Theory says and you can't even put it into words 'cause you're wanting to talk about moments in time or a point in space. But we're talking about and I can't even Randy: Law of thermodynamics says it's always breaking down. And we can he can go some things in that. So, but so what's the big bang theory say? The big bang theory says, and you can't even put it into words because you're wanting to talk about moments in time or a point in space. But we're talking about, and I can't even we're Jeff Ward: We're talking about an instant, although that requires time. Some time before, time didn't exist, Randy: talking about an instant, although that requires time. Some time before, time didn't exist. Jeff Ward: three-dimensional space did not exist, so I can't even use the word time or point. Energy didn't did not exist, and matter did not exist. And the Big Bang Theory says that there was an instant when all of those began to exist or came into existence. Randy: Three dimensional space did not exist, so I can't even use the word time or point. Energy didn't did not exist and matter didn't not exist. And the Big Bang Theory says that there was an instant when all f of those began to exist or came into existence. And that would support this thing. Jeff Ward: And that would support this thing. Let me read the conclusion. didn't read it. Everything that began to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe was caused to exist, and that cause is God. So if the universe was caused to exist, the cause has so many attributes that go, that's the God of the Bible. Here's some of the attributes of the cause that would bring the universe into existence. Randy: Let me read the conclusion. I didn't read it. Everything that began to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe was caused to exist, and that cause is God. So if the universe was caused to exist, the cause has so many attributes that go, that's the God of the Bible. Here's some of the attributes of the cause that would bring the universe into existence. Jeff Ward: It has to be an unembodied spirit. In other words, it can't have a body. Randy: It has to be an unembodied spirit. In other words, it can't have a body, because mass and energy and three-dimensional space doesn't exist. There's no pla no no matter and no space for matter to exist in. So it has to be an un unembodied spirit that predates matter and energy in three-dimensional space. Jeff Ward: because mass and energy in three-dimensional space don't exist. There's no pla no no matter and no space for matter to exist in. So it has to be an un unembodied spirit that predates matter and energy in three-dimensional space. Randy: It also has to be eternal because it created time, because time began to exist. So eternal is outside of time, so it's not subject to time. Jesus did that when he turned water into wine. He demonstrated his ability because it takes time to create and ferment wine. He did demonstrated that as j one of John's signs that this man, this creator, this God is outside of time or has command over time. Jeff Ward: It also has to be eternal because it created time, because time began to exist. So eternal is outside of time, so it's not subject to time. Jesus did that when he turned water into wine. He demonstrated his ability because it takes time to create and ferment wine. He did demonstrated that as j one of John's signs that this man, this creator, this God, is outside of time or has command over time. He's omnipresent. Why is he omnipresent? Well, he created or he's Randy: He's omnipresent. Why is he omnipresent? Well, he created, or he's Jeff Ward: Not subject to three-dimensional space. So he exists outside of space. This cause that caused the Big Bang. Jesus demonstrated that when he healed the centurion's servant. He sent his word across space and time and healed the servant. He's also personal. This this cause behind the Big Bang Theory is also personal. Randy: not subject to three-dimensional space. So he exists outside of space, this cause that caused the Big Bang. Jesus demonstrated that when he healed the centurion's servant. He sent his word across space and time and healed a servant. He's also personal. This this cause behind the Big Bang Theory is also personal. What I mean by that is it makes decisions. What I mean by that, because there was a point when there was no universe and then there was a decision made because the cause had to cause the universe to happen. There's some different words there, but that's a that is a personal or unconditional or conditional cause. Jeff Ward: mean by that is it makes decisions. What I mean by that, because there was a point when there was no universe and then there was a decision made because the cause had to cause the universe to happen. There's some different words there but that's a that is a personal or unconditional or conditional cause. An unconditional cause does not decide does not make decisions. And an example of conditional cause would be Randy: An unconditional cause does not decide, does not make decisions. And an example of unconditional cause would be if you take water and you cool it down below thirty-two degrees, it turns to ice. That's an unconditional cause. There's not the water doesn't decide to turn or the cause doesn't decide to turn the water to ice, and sometimes it doesn't turn into water ice. It's an unconditional or impersonal cause because every time you take water and put it below thirty-two degrees, then it becomes ice. Jeff Ward: If you take water and you cool it down below thirty-two degrees, it turns to ice. That's an unconditional cause. There's not the water doesn't decide to turn, or the cause doesn't decide to turn the water to ice, and sometimes it doesn't turn into water or ice, it's an unconditional or impersonal cause because every time you take water and put it below thirty-two degrees, then it becomes ice. So therefore that is an unconditional cause or a non-personal cause. But since the universe had a s had a beginning Randy: So therefore, that is an unconditional cause or a non-personal cause. But since the universe had a s had a beginning and it also had a cause, then the cause ha is a conditional cause or a decision-making cause. So it also is all powerful because this cause that began the Big Bang created all the energy in the universe in an instant. And I put here, does that sound like anybody we know? Jeff Ward: And it also had a cause, then the cause ha is a conditional cause or a decision making cause. So it also is all powerful because this cause that began the big bang created all the energy in the universe in an instant. And I put here, does that sound like anybody we know? So the cause of the Big Bang is unembodied, eternal, omnipresent, personal, and all powerful. That's the God of the Bible. Randy: So the cause of the Big Bang is unembodied, eternal, omnipresent, personal, and all powerful. That's the God of the Bible. And so I I bring that out just to help us think. Also bring it out to help us go, science, some of the theories in science, and that's just a theory because nobody we weren't there, but we we immediately throw them out as, that's just stupid. You know, no. Jeff Ward: So I I bring that out just to help us think. Also bring it out to help us go science some of the theories in science and that's just a theory 'cause nobody we weren't there, but we we immediately throw out as that's just stupid. You know. Right. No. Randy: let's think through them. I'm not saying Jeff Ward: Let's think through them. I'm not saying media are stupid. Maybe they are. Maybe they're not. But maybe we can think through Right. And because there is some evidence of of a universe that started at a point and is now expanding away from that point. Yep. at least the way we're observing things now. Now that may change 'cause we talked about a few weeks ago that every generation proves previous generation science is as wrong. Right. Yet every generation thinks their science is is awesome. Yet Randy: many of are stupid. Maybe they are, maybe they're not. But maybe we can think through And because there is some evidence of of a universe that started at a point and is now expanding away from that point. at least the way we're observing things now. Now that may change 'cause we talked about a few weeks ago that every generation proves the previous generation's science as as wrong. Yet every generation thinks their science is is awesome, right? And completely right. Yet Yet Jeff Ward: Every genus every generation is is zero for whatever right correct science. So anyway. That's interesting, yeah. Yeah. So we don't want to throw it out. We want to think through this. And we'll throw out stuff that doesn't line up with the Bible, but but but the big bad but the Bible in fact says there was a moment where none of this stuff existed and now it does exist. Yeah. And it's because God spoke it into existence. All right. Randy: every genus every generation is is zero for whatever in correct science. So anyway. Yeah. So we don't want to throw it out. We want to think through this and we'll throw out stuff that doesn't line up with the Bible, but but but the big b but the Bible in fact says there was a moment where none of this stuff existed and now it does exist and it's because God spoke it into existence. All right. What we'll do next time. is we will talk about the creation of Eve and the establishment of marriage. And we'll talk about a lot there. We've already talked about marriage in Ephesians, but that's okay, 'cause we probably didn't learn enough there either. I know I didn't. Don't ask Angel about that. We're both still married. We're both still married. We're we're somehow, you know, God God's grace and our wives' grace has worked out. Jeff Ward: Ephesians, but that's okay. Don't ask angels about that. But we're both still married. We're both still married. We're we're somehow, you know, God's gracious. God's gracious. Yes. Yes. But anyway, any questions or thoughts or anything you want to add? Randy: But anyway, any questions or thoughts or anything you want add? Jeff Ward: No, that's great. I'm enjoying this study. So thanks, Randy. Alright, you're welcome to see you guys. Randy: See you guys.