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This site is for thoughtful Christians learning how to answer the hard questions people are asking today
Location of Garden of Eden | Mesopotamia (Iraq)
PURPOSE: Helping Christians engage in intelligent conversations with doubters and unbelievers

What happened in the Garden of Eden?

THIS IS
COMBINE INSIGHTS
Here's where we combine the six Insights to get an informed biblical answer

The Garden of Eden was a real place at a real time

Most people treat the biblical story of the Garden of Eden like a fairy tale. They're not sure if it really happened at all. Or when. Or where. Or why.

To most, it's something that's said to have happened way back in time, when the world was first created ... when God made Adam and Eve in some paradise on earth where everything was perfect until a talking snake lured them into eating a forbidden apple ... and that somehow wrecked everything in the world, and we're all guilty and going to hell because of it.

It's very murky and incredible to most people, even Christians.

The purpose of this Bible study is to dispel some of the fiction and mystery woven into the story and equip Christians for informed conversation about it with others, especially with scoffing doubters and unbelievers.

The setting for the Garden of Eden story is in ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), the Cradle of Civilization, about 6,000 years ago.

This is not 'long-long-time-ago, far-far-away' mythology or depictions from cave drawings by Neanderthals. This is relatively recent history, written in the well-understood Hebrew language about an area of the world with a rich history we can see and study today.

We know the approximate place (Mesopotamia) from the Bible description in Genesis 1:8-14.

Map showing location of Garden of Eden

We know the approximate time (BC 4000 to BC 8000) from Bible genealogies. See the Bible study on people before Adam. As best we can tell from history and archaeology, there were about seven million people on earth at that time.

World population at time of Adam and Eve

This is not 'long-long-time-ago, far-far-away' mythology or interpretations of cave drawings by Neanderthals. This is relatively recent history, in well-written Hebrew language regarding an area of the world with rich history we can study.

– TOPIC MENU –

Thinkers Bible Studies / Topic 1.1

GOD'S CREATION

Was the BIG BANG God's method?

SIX INSIGHTS
for an informed answer
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Insight 1: Bible credibility
INSIGHT 1

Tradition and folklore have twisted what the Bible actually says

The Garden of Eden is like a fairy tale to most people, even to Christians, and most don't know that the Bible tells us its time, place, and exactly what happened. Tradition and folklore have added so much to the biblical story that it now almost incomprehensible to doubters and unbelievers. Major theological doctrines have grown out of the story for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
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Insight 2: yō·wm is Hebrew word for Bible creation day
INSIGHT 2

Adam and Eve may not have been the first humans

TOPIC 1.3 (People before Adam) lists many clues from the Bible that there were people on earth before God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam was the first sinner, but probably not the first human. Bible credibility is at stake here because archaeology, scientific testing, and DNA analysis show clearly that there was human activity on earth before BC 4000. See the evidence from both Bible and science.
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Insight 3: What God created in each 'day'
INSIGHT 3

The earth was not a perfect paradise before Adam sinned

See all the Bible verses that tell us that God didn't create the earth as a perfect paradise (from our perspective). The earth as we find it is the way God wanted it. Adam didn't ruin it. Jesus never even mentioned Adam's name. Growth and multiplication without death is no paradise. Death is essential not only for food but also for preventing overcrowding and suffocation, and for clearing the way for new life.
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INSIGHT 4

The Bible doesn't say that Adam's sin is the cause of all death

TOPIC 1.3.2 (Sin not cause of death) shows that the idea that all death is the result of Adam's sin comes from church tradition, not from any direct statement in the Bible. See the two verses in scripture which have been stretched and twisted to support the idea that the earth and everything in it was once immortal.
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INSIGHT 5

The doctrine of original sin is grossly unjust and biblically challenged

TOPIC 1.4.3 (Original sin) shows that the idea that everyone is born guilty for Adam's sin comes from church tradition, not from any direct statement in the Bible. See the four verses in scripture which have been stretched and twisted to support this monstrous idea, and see the harm it has done in driving people away from God. Also, see an in-depth study of Romans 5 and I Corinthians 15.
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INSIGHT 6

The Bible says that in hell the fire burns FOREVER but not the people

TOPIC 3.4.1 (Will people burn in hell forever?) lists all 29 verses on topic from the Bible, quoted in full, showing that hell fire is forever but that people will eventually die in the fire. In Jesus words: burned up, destroyed, consumed, perish. People go to hell because of their own unforgiven sin, not because of Adam's sin. God's punishment is with justice, not with crazed vengence.
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COMBINE

Here's where we combine the six Insights to get an informed biblical answer: What happened in the Garden of Eden?

The Insights here are like pieces of a puzzle. Put the pieces together and see the big picture! Now you'll be prepared to engage intelligently and coherently with anyone about what the Bible says about any major aspect of the Garden of Eden story. Also see reader comments.
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Thanks for your comments. Your thoughts are helpful to us. We are always learning.

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Don't know, don't need to know. It'll all be revealed by & by.
I like your site. Good to see others believe as I do.
I can't wait to share this article with my grandson.
This sounds interesting.
One of the best study sites I have found!
There are too many pastors and theologians who take the simplicity of God's Word and try to make it profound when they should be taking the profoundness of God's Word and making it simple.
I really enjoy your site.
Nice to read a legitimate attempt to harmonize the traditions of the Bible with scientific discoveries.
Amen. Thank you.
I discovered this site while I was at work. I will take time out and read through it. I think it is very interesting and it's good to know so I hope and pray that I can and will be able to venture a little bit more. Thank you and continue to have a blessed and prosperous day.
Adam was perfect because it doesn’t say anywhere in the Bible that he had body aches and gray .
I absolutly loved this! My daughter is a high school science teacher, and we are both christians. We had our own ideas of what scriptures say, and what actual physical science says. This brought ALOT to light! Thank you.
Yes, I agree there is a lot of evidence to substantiate what you say. I have often thought about this myself. Thank you for all the research you have done.
I like it! I always wondered about the dinosaurs, and whether other people lived before Adam. You see, the Bible says that Cain was worried about being slain by other people. So, what does that tell you? It's more to the Bible than some clergymen are letting on.
Good points
Just another Satanic attempt to change God's WORD. More likely made up of Liberal Kids that don't know any better.
I'm preparing to teach my first Religious Instruction lesson for the year in a public Australian school tomorrow and we'll launch straight in to the creation story from the Bible. So thank you!! I feel confident now to answer any questions the kids might raise.
I am 75 years old. I was raised as a Roman Catholic. I have studied religions all of my life. I have so many problems with the Bible starting with Genesis. I agree with your assessment that Adam wasn't the first human on earth. The more that I learn, the less I believe in the bible and religion as a salvation. But I shall continue researching.
I really enjoy your website. I find your arguments compelling.
I stumbled on your website recently, and was impressed by the scope of it and the balance evident in it.
Wrong all wrong
Thank you. You have clarified how to teach what I have always believed. I didn’t know how to explain it to others.
Since your website is new and still in the making, it leaves me excited yet hungry for more understanding.
You have developed material that is vitally needed for reaching the newer generations.
Just happened upon this site and wow! This is fabulous. I will be back. Thank you for putting this together and sharing it with us all. God bless you and your family.
What a great and informative article! This information is invaluable when discussing biblical concepts with others, both Christian and non-Christian.
You are absolutely wrong
Interesting and thought provoking.
With this pandemic going on, I have many of these conversations with myself.
Thank you for helping to break down these scriptures, I found out now a lot of what I thought I knew was actually just tradition, most of which was confusing up until now, very grateful.
This is a very interesting read and I'm going to be reading it again. 
Had to be people here before Adam, all the ancient buildings prove the civilizations were here. Many teens of thousands of years.
God created everything that was created in six literal days.
I like that explanation it makes since it has scientific evidence to back it up
Interesting to read. Will research further.
Found this to be very helpful. Answered my questions.
Wrong!!
I am a person that right now I don't practice any religion whatsoever. Very interesting, thank you
Thank you for this most interesting discussion of genealogy re: the timing of the first man as relates to both the Bible as well as archaeology!!!
Thank you for your wonderful website. I have linked to it from my own. I'm looking forward to your expanding list of subjects.
Very interesting
Thank you for letting me know. Opened up my mind.
Yea
Beautifully done and very reasonable. I’ve been struggling with the contradictions in the Bible and science for years. I believe that there is a God but I wasn’t always sure if the Bible Was Gods word or man made. Thank you! Makes so much sense!
Very interesting please keep me posted
I have read all with an open mind. I heard bits and pieces of theory but never this much evidence.
This is great. God has shown this to me some time ago, but you are the first that has ever confirmed it. God is good.
Yes to have a intelligence conversation is of most importance.
Thank you for this summary. Very large and difficult task and worth the time taken. I am a believer in Jesus Christ, His eternal life, His death burial and resurrection. I believe the Bible is the Word of God.
Thank you so much for confirming what I had always thought!!! Our Father makes wonderous wonders!!!
I was just told about your website and it's so fascinating.
False teaching. Repent
Thank you
The information that I read was very informative.
Fully embrace this information. By the Spirit I have been convinced before reading this. Any serious thinker who is honest and observant will become agnostic in trying to remain with the ultra conservative ideas of literal six day creation. What a beautiful creation was being made by a glorious intelligent designer!
I don’t think Adam was the first human on earth. I am 72 in age. Most people my age and older do not have this perception. But from my bible study I believe this Genesis points to others.
awesome info keep up this good work
Great job! Fantastic resource for believers not only to be able to speak intelligently in a time of waning faith, but for our own education and edification as well!
Enjoyed the read. I am a believer.
These explanations make real sense.
I want to learn it all.
Your Thinkers site is the best Bible site I've come across.
Of course. If Adam and Eve were the only humans and had children, who did the children copulate with? If it was each other, then everyone would have mental defects. The Adam & Eve story is just the beginning of the Old Testament.
Brilliant
The problem with "science" today that too much of it is based on theory and not enough observation.
Not sure what to think of this bible study. If nothing else it compels you to really dig deep and think,read and pray for understanding which I think is a good thing.
This is utter nonsense in my opinion
Humans were around a lot longer the 4000 bc. Thats not even as old as Sumer the first proven civilization. Evidence strongly supports that civilization may have existed long before Sumer.
Interesting and thought provoking, following a line of thinking that has interested me for years. To question traditional interpretation doesn't detract from the validity and power of scripture but reinforces it. Jesus was rejected by the religious experts of His day because He didn't fit the traditional interpreting of scripture. We still have much to learn.
You really don’t understand the Bible at all.
Love the study
This is the best information a believer can get. Where can I donate. Big Bang is consistent to the Bible, great news. Let’s ge smart about religion. Saying the Bible is wrong has helped millions become non believers. This news can reinforce the beliefs in those who strive to believe but need a more firm and also scientific reasoning for the existence of a God. Great web site!
I learned one key thing and that is to be very careful w/pastors speaking lots of stuff from their memory bank & not reading from the word of God to express truth. Recently, I heard a famous pastor out in Georgia saying that Adam was the 1st man and I automatically remembered how my friend asked then where did Cain's wife came from if it were only Adam & Eve plus their 2 sons, that provoked me to open up my bible and see for myself and went further to discover that Cain was even afraid that other people would kill him (key that other people existed).
I really enjoyed this article. I found it very insightful as well as challenging.
God bless.
Mainstream science is wrong about almost everything.
You’re freaking idiots led by Satan! Change the Bible, go to hell! Hope you enjoy it!
praying Gods direction, provision, and anointing on this site and everyone, like me, blessed enough to have been led to it .
How great it is to have a resource to help in ministering to the sceptical. Thank you. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to upcoming studies.
All bad things on the face of the earth are connected to sin , by one mans sin we were all condemned.
Very interesting to read.
Bwahahahahaha!!! Religion, please go away and die.
Thank you for your good work.
THANK YOU. You are helping me to understand so much more! I have always questioned, and for the first time, feel I am getting answers, or at least more of an insight to my own feelings and beliefs.
Very good
When are more topics coming?
I ran across your website this morning. At age 50, I lead a women's Bible Study in Florida. I am at a place where I am questioning so many things about what I have been taught - traditions handed down for generations. To continue teaching is becoming challenging. I have a daughter who is also a believer but wrestles aloud with questions concerning Adam and original sin, eternal hell with eternal suffering, etc. Honestly, I think her wrestling has led me to stop and think more. So now I am seeking…
Just came across your website, want to commend you on believing the Bible can and should be read as the Truth. I have always believed that if I cannot make sense out of the scriptures, it is my deficiently not the Bibles. God Bless.
I am excited to have found this site when I was seeking the truth about Bible timelines. I have been forced to justify my beliefs by a pastor who has a very fundamental belief in God's seven days of creation.
Thank you for this! I have had many conversations about science and Christianity. I am not very smart but now I am a little smarter.
Someone has never had a real encounter with God and does not know the assumptions he is making with the scientific evidence. Sad when you don't know either God or Science
Your are wrong
What you have said makes so much sense to me. I would love to read more of what you think.
You should just go away. You are preaching heresy.
Adam was the first person on this earth bottom line
This is awesome, very detailed information and totally makes sense, thanks for sharing!
You guys are doing an incredible job of bringing science The Bible together as one truth thank you Please continue this valuable work to awaken the public that the Bible and science are truly God's truth not contradicting each other
Wonderful subject thank you I want more Bible studies
So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Keep them coming. Enjoy reading them so much.
This is a fantastic article , thank you
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Helping Christians engage in intelligent and coherent conversations with doubters and unbelievers
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