What Happened in the Garden: The Reality and Ramifications of the Creation and Fall of Man

by Abner Chou

Evangelicals are no strangers to the creation versus evolution debate. Now the argument has spread beyond the contents of the creation account and into Genesis 2-3, with speculation about the historicity of Adam, and the fall. But does it matter which position one holds? Is anything really at stake? The faculty of The Master's College come together to contend that the second and third chapters of Genesis are indeed historical, that there are excellent reasons for believing so, and that it is an essential issue within Christian thought and life. The contents of these chapters establish the history of how everything in the world came to be what it is today. This Scripture passage—Genesis 3 especially—explains what we observe in the legal system, literature, gender roles, education, psychology, and science. Far from irrelevant, the theology and historicity of Genesis are in fact critical to our everyday lives. What Happened in the Garden? includes new scientific, literary, business, educational, and legal perspectives on creation. Through this multidisciplinary look at the debate, the contributors prove that to change our understanding of the fall is to change the way we understand reality, to revise the Christian worldview, and to reshape the faith itself.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Science, Christianity

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2016

Reviews

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with many essay collections, there are hits and misses. There are definitely some real gems in here that I thought were very well-written, but there were also several that, while the content was good, the execution was a little lack luster. There were only two essays I had flat-out disagreements with. All in all worth taking a look at, especially if one isn't as familiar with the controversies surrounding Genesis as I am.

[Asha Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review coming….

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

How are we to understand the events of Geneses 1-3? Christians don't always agree on the interpretation of these three foundational chapters. Are we to take every word literally and at face value? How do we handle the apparent poetry? Is there room for disagreement? How do we address the hermenutical objections to a historical reading of the text? Are they with any merit? What do these things tell us about who God is and how we relate to him? Furthermore, how do these things inform how we understand the world around us?

These are the types of questions that you will find addressed in What Happened in the Garden? This book is a collection of essays written by the faculty of The Master's College. The contributors have proven experience and expertise in the areas they write on and they write in such a way that the average person can understand and grapple with these issues. For those who wish to dig deeper, the contributors provide ample footnotes and it is here where the picture begins to zoom in and expose incredible detail. I especially appreciated chapter 8 in which Taylor B. Jones tackles the topic of "Thermodynamics and the Fall". This was, in my opinion, the single most convincing essay on the effects of sin on the physical world around us and the grace of God expressed by his creation of a world which, despite the effects of sin, has all the sustaining energy necessary for duration of its existence. This had a way of inspiring hope int he new creation and responsibility/stewardship for this current world.

The book is organized so that we are introduced to the reality of the text, and then forced to grapple with the resulting theological and worldview implications. Readers may find themselves disagreeing with the contributors at times and yet impressed by the breadth of their knowledge and the grace with which they address opposing views. This book certainly belongs in every church library and should also find a welcome home in personal libraries of those with a particular interest in the theology of Genesis 1-3. For my homeschooling friends, they will find that What Happened in the Garden provides rich lessons in hermeneutics, theology, and worldview.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Academic in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Charity U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another essential book for students of Genesis.

[Franklin Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

It is absolutely essential reading for those who want to really understand Genesis 1-3, its historocity, and the impact on all of Scripture. It should be on every Christian's reading list.

[Dwain Minor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I think that the essays did a good job of pointing out the reasons to believe in Genesis 2-3 as historical accounts. It also does a good job of discussing the implications of this doctrine for today.