Thanks for this reminder that growing in relationship with God is a relational process not an academic achievement. A healthy relationship requires not only disclosure of the other so that they can be known and loved, but it also requires this kind of self disclosure to ourselves so that we can give ourselves to the other in truth. Self deception usually reveals itself as self destruction.
Thank you for this timely post. Earlier this week I very much had a "forbidden tree" angst moment, so your post helps me think through these experiences.
I’ve just joined this after hearing your talks on Sabbath at New Wine Netherlands via YouTube. Thanks for the reminder that choice is a path to growth and perhaps a realization of the weight of responsibility (to abuse Lewis).
Love it! Some earlier commentators like Theophilus of Antioch have also suggested that it wouldn't be forbidden forever, but in due time and upon growth and maturity they could and even should partake. It actually aligns nicely with how Solomon, in 1 Kings 3:9, literally asks for a discerning heart to know "good and evil." This is the same phrase in the Hebrew that describes the tree! I don't think that's coincidence and complements your reading of it.
Yes, I’ve heard that interpretation. And does of kind of reframe it. That would make the tree less “evil” as it were and more about the need for human “restraint” and “patience.” Any chance you know what text Theo of A includes that teaching?
In his Ad Autolycum, Book II, chapter 25 he expounds more on it. It seems as though he's trying to identify the point of Adam's sin being disobedience verses an object (the tree of knowledge) being inherently evil. He further explains, "But Adam, being yet an infant in age, was on this account as yet unable to receive knowledge worthily. For now, also, when a child is born it is not at once able to eat bread, but is nourished first with milk, and then, with the increment of years, it advances to solid food. Thus, too, would it have been with Adam; for not as one who grudged him, as some suppose, did God command him not to eat of knowledge. But He wished also to make proof of him, whether he was submissive to His commandment."
As I read, I was reminded of an episode from The Bible Project that explores the recursive pattern of “three layers” in Scripture (Eden, the Garden, and the middle of the garden) surrounded by the dry land beyond. That same triadic structure appears again in the design of Noah’s ark (three levels rising toward the heavens, surrounded by chaotic waters) and later in the tabernacle and temple (the holy of holies, holy place, and courtyard) with the common world outside. (Time stamp = 25:50 https://bibleproject.com/classroom/noah-to-abraham/sessions/13?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
It made me wonder if this pattern is not only architectural or cosmological, but anthropological. Drawing from Dallas Willard’s framework, perhaps the human soul mirrors that sacred geography with the heart (spirit/will) at the center, then the mind (thoughts) and feelings (emotions) surrounding it, all contained within the body. In that sense, the “tree in the middle” isn’t just about proximity or temptation but about the human vocation to order our interior temple rightly so we can keep the center (our heart) holy so that life flows outward.
Thank you I am compiling a book series on discipleship. What you reveal about testing is significant for me. Our repeated actions are like a mirror reflecting what we truly believe and think. It is what we still need to change and what we need to make stronger. Thank you
AJ, I am really pleased to hear that you have returned to being a pastor of a church. Having listened to you in the past,as a guest speaker, it seemed, to me to be something you were gifted with and when you left the ministry I felt a bit saddened, but knew that God leads us differently. At some point, I actually wished that you would once again return as a pastor. May God continue to bless you both in your role as pastor and writer and teacher.
A rich thought! Choice as formation is a real aspect of humanity. And that can flow either way. God's wisdom is so much greater and sees our complex aspects of formation (body, thought, emotions, etc.) in a beautiful picture that a divine hand can guide and offer places and experiences of formation. You unlocked some doors to seeing God's work that really bring His glory forward for me.
Was reading your post,”Stop Praying For Clarity,” earlier yesterday before you posted this. It’s interesting to read them both together because I think this one reinforces the one on clarity. Because sometimes we hate the clarity that a “no” gives us.
Ahhh...Dr. Swoboda, always come away with your writing chewing on something. Thank you for disrupting my sleep while I ponder the nuance between temptation and testing, and how my response exposes the hidden contours and motivations of my heart.
Thanks for this reminder that growing in relationship with God is a relational process not an academic achievement. A healthy relationship requires not only disclosure of the other so that they can be known and loved, but it also requires this kind of self disclosure to ourselves so that we can give ourselves to the other in truth. Self deception usually reveals itself as self destruction.
Thank you for this timely post. Earlier this week I very much had a "forbidden tree" angst moment, so your post helps me think through these experiences.
I’ve just joined this after hearing your talks on Sabbath at New Wine Netherlands via YouTube. Thanks for the reminder that choice is a path to growth and perhaps a realization of the weight of responsibility (to abuse Lewis).
Love it! Some earlier commentators like Theophilus of Antioch have also suggested that it wouldn't be forbidden forever, but in due time and upon growth and maturity they could and even should partake. It actually aligns nicely with how Solomon, in 1 Kings 3:9, literally asks for a discerning heart to know "good and evil." This is the same phrase in the Hebrew that describes the tree! I don't think that's coincidence and complements your reading of it.
Yes, I’ve heard that interpretation. And does of kind of reframe it. That would make the tree less “evil” as it were and more about the need for human “restraint” and “patience.” Any chance you know what text Theo of A includes that teaching?
In his Ad Autolycum, Book II, chapter 25 he expounds more on it. It seems as though he's trying to identify the point of Adam's sin being disobedience verses an object (the tree of knowledge) being inherently evil. He further explains, "But Adam, being yet an infant in age, was on this account as yet unable to receive knowledge worthily. For now, also, when a child is born it is not at once able to eat bread, but is nourished first with milk, and then, with the increment of years, it advances to solid food. Thus, too, would it have been with Adam; for not as one who grudged him, as some suppose, did God command him not to eat of knowledge. But He wished also to make proof of him, whether he was submissive to His commandment."
For the rest of the translation I pulled from Ad Autolycum, see this PDF: https://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0165-0183,_Theophilus_Antiochenus,_Ad_Autolycum_%5BSchaff%5D,_EN.pdf
Hope this helps!
So helpful, sir! Thank you.
Happy to help!
Excellent post - totally reminds me of the C.S. Lewis book "The Great Divorce". The narrative of choosing to walk out of Paradise.
Beautiful reflection, AJ. Thank you for this.
As I read, I was reminded of an episode from The Bible Project that explores the recursive pattern of “three layers” in Scripture (Eden, the Garden, and the middle of the garden) surrounded by the dry land beyond. That same triadic structure appears again in the design of Noah’s ark (three levels rising toward the heavens, surrounded by chaotic waters) and later in the tabernacle and temple (the holy of holies, holy place, and courtyard) with the common world outside. (Time stamp = 25:50 https://bibleproject.com/classroom/noah-to-abraham/sessions/13?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
It made me wonder if this pattern is not only architectural or cosmological, but anthropological. Drawing from Dallas Willard’s framework, perhaps the human soul mirrors that sacred geography with the heart (spirit/will) at the center, then the mind (thoughts) and feelings (emotions) surrounding it, all contained within the body. In that sense, the “tree in the middle” isn’t just about proximity or temptation but about the human vocation to order our interior temple rightly so we can keep the center (our heart) holy so that life flows outward.
Thank you I am compiling a book series on discipleship. What you reveal about testing is significant for me. Our repeated actions are like a mirror reflecting what we truly believe and think. It is what we still need to change and what we need to make stronger. Thank you
That’s really interesting and I am going to chew on that for a bit!
Thank you so much for this.
AJ, I am really pleased to hear that you have returned to being a pastor of a church. Having listened to you in the past,as a guest speaker, it seemed, to me to be something you were gifted with and when you left the ministry I felt a bit saddened, but knew that God leads us differently. At some point, I actually wished that you would once again return as a pastor. May God continue to bless you both in your role as pastor and writer and teacher.
A rich thought! Choice as formation is a real aspect of humanity. And that can flow either way. God's wisdom is so much greater and sees our complex aspects of formation (body, thought, emotions, etc.) in a beautiful picture that a divine hand can guide and offer places and experiences of formation. You unlocked some doors to seeing God's work that really bring His glory forward for me.
What a gift, Brian! BTW—finished that theosis article by Gorman. Good night. That is definitely going to be required reading.
Was reading your post,”Stop Praying For Clarity,” earlier yesterday before you posted this. It’s interesting to read them both together because I think this one reinforces the one on clarity. Because sometimes we hate the clarity that a “no” gives us.
Love this 🥰🥹
Ahhh...Dr. Swoboda, always come away with your writing chewing on something. Thank you for disrupting my sleep while I ponder the nuance between temptation and testing, and how my response exposes the hidden contours and motivations of my heart.
So blessed by this!