Introduction: Most religions based on the Bible, have been teaching Paul’s propagated doctrine for thousands of years which claims that human beings are born with the original sin, inherited from Adam, thereby redemption is required. It is not enough to be described with a few lines of explanation that Paul’s doctrine is false, because this examination goes against the faith of the redemption doctrine, which cultivated by Tertullian, Augustine, Calvin; and gave a source of power and enormous wealth for the church for many millennia. However, hopefully readers could grasp the undeniable truth regarding original sin and redemption.
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There is a masterpiece fairy tale called The Emperor’s New Suit by a Danish Author Andersen. This fairy-tale, which has been translated into many different languages, has become culturally embedded in the world’s collective consciousness. As we all know, the story presented at last three lessons. First, it contains the enlightenment that any rhetoric of transparent clothes that does not exist for the king is fictional. Second, it emphasizes the psychology of people who are afraid to challenge the stigma due to the carefully constructed public opinion. Third, like the boy at the end of the story, it expresses the lesson that pure hearted and courageous people can step forward and point out the hypocrisy.
Overcoming the unjust presented by a novel or fairy-tale offers satisfaction and happiness to the audience. The biblical presentation of Adam and Eve, the fruit of good and bad, Armageddon, and paradise earth is a similar story. Introduction, development, climax, and conclusion has been carefully crafted to offer happiness and satisfaction.
However, if the original sin due to the fruit of good and bad never exist from the beginning, such as “The Emperor’s New Suit”, then all related rhetoric would disappear, including the upcoming Memorial celebration.
According to the Jehovah's Witnesses’ doctrine on the original sin, the first ancestor of the human race challenged the universal sovereignty to request the right to decide what is good and bad for themselves. The actions of Adam and eve, “raised fundamental issues that struck at the very foundation of universal law and order. When they claimed the right to decide for themselves what was good and what was bad, they challenged God’s sovereignty. They questioned his right to rule and to be the sole arbiter of “good and bad.””.(W 2/15/1997, page 4) As a result, Adam’s descendants all inherited genetic sin. In order to eliminate its genetic crime, the proven Jesus Christ was provided and sent to earth and sacrifice himself for mankind…
Just as the air spewing forth from a raging horses nostrils disappears immediately, are the actions of people who follow the doctrine of redemption futile, or is there clear scriptural basis to support. First, let us confirm if the doctrine of the original sin through JW’s publications has clear scriptural basis.
*** it-1 p. 676 Eden ***
As to the genus of the tree, the Scriptural record is silent. But it becomes apparent that the tree of the knowledge of good and bad symbolized the divine right or prerogative, which man’s Creator retains, to designate to his creatures what is “good” and what is “bad,” thereafter properly requiring the practice of that which is declared good and the abstention from that which is pronounced bad in order to remain approved by God as Sovereign Ruler. (See TREES.) Both the prohibition and the subsequent pronouncement of the sentence passed upon the disobedient pair emphasize the fact that it was the act of disobedience in eating the prohibited fruit that constituted the original sin.—Ge 3:3.”
The above insight described that the act of eating the forbidden fruit caused the original sin because “it becomes apparent that the tree of the knowledge of good and bad symbolized the divine right or prerogative”. Another words, the tree of the knowledge of good and bad only symbolized the divine right because “it becomes apparent” not because it was clearly written in the bible.
Upon research, the statement “See Trees” has failed due to the fact that there is a lack of scriptural background to support the statement above which describes, “it becomes apparent that the tree of the knowledge of good and bad symbolized the divine right or prerogative”. Rather when it relates to trees, the insight says “Trees were also used to symbolize individuals, rulers, and kingdoms”. In addition, under the same subject, “See Trees”, part of paragraph, “Therefore, to violate the boundaries of the prohibited area by eating of “the tree of the knowledge of good and bad” would be an invasion of or a revolt against God’s domain and authority.” Again no clearly stated scriptural basis.
Let us take a look at another publication dealing with the original sin.
*** pe chap. 11 p. 101 par. 6 Why Has God Permitted Wickedness? ***
6 Eve disobeyed God and ate. Why? Eve believed Satan. She selfishly thought that she would benefit by disobeying God. She reasoned that no longer would she or Adam need to answer to God. No longer would they have to submit to his laws. They could decide for themselves what is “good” and what is “bad.” Adam went along with Eve and also ate. Discussing man’s original sin against God, a footnote in The Jerusalem Bible says: “It is the power of deciding for himself what is good and what is evil and of acting accordingly, a claim to complete moral independence . . . The first sin was an attack on God’s sovereignty.” That is, it was an attack on God’s right to be man’s absolute ruler or superior.
The above "Live Forever" chapter 6, surprisingly failed to provide clear scriptural base which directly related the claims of “selfishly thought, reasoned, No longer would they have to, could decide”. According to how the bible displays the detailed recording method of when Sarah laughed in her mind (Ge !8:12), the same recording method should apply and perhaps even in greater detail when Eve had the rebellious challenged idea in her mind to go against universal sovereignty, as claimed by WT doctrine.
What was the reason why the Watchtower continually fails to provide appropriate verses to argue in their way of depiction for original sin? Before let’s try to find out what the Bible really wants to tell us, I’d like to follow one good advice from recent WT study article. (Feb. 28. 2016 Paragraph 16)
16. What should we consider when making decisions about our (spiritual) health?
16 When we are deciding which test to have or which treatment to accept, we need to have “soundness of mind,” or use good sense. (Titus 2:12) This is especially important if the test or treatment seems very unusual. Can the person we consult explain how the test or treatment works? Is the explanation strange?
Following the above advice correctly, first of all, we should find out the base scriptures which convey the scope of the Creator’s character to review the original sin and redemption and examine them to prove validity or draw out conclusion just as Emperor’s New Suit fairy-tale. These verses also could distinguish any doctrines or scriptures if they harmonize with the Creator’s character, furthermore if they have consistency and reflects our true God, the Universal Creator.
He is a lover of righteousness and justice. With the loving-kindness of Jehovah the earth is filled. (Psalm 33:5) Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the [celestial] lights, and with him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow. (James 1:17) Therefore, in answer, Jesus went on to say to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he beholds the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19)
In the organization of Watchtower society, no one would argued nor objected to the point that above verses emphasizes regarding the Creator of the natural universe and spiritual world and Jesus and their relationship for the father and son. Wouldn’t they? Now, based on the scriptures above as a touchstone, we could investigate whether Adam and Eve really rebelled against the Universal Sovereignty as claimed by Watchtower or this doctrine is an engine of the propaganda to secure endless power and enormous wealth for the church for many millennia.
The scene depicts at the time when Elohim made man, “And God went on to say: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. . . (Genesis 1:26)” Watchtower explained that “us” refer to be Jehovah and Jesus.
*** w70 6/15 p. 360 The One Who Made All Things ***
In the Bible God says: “Let us make man.” (Gen. 1:26) Do you know whom God was talking to? He was talking to his Son. He was talking with the one who later came to earth and was called Jesus!
*** te chap. 3 p. 16 The One Who Made All Things ***
The Bible tells us that God said: “Let us make man.” Do you know whom God was talking to?— He was talking to his Son, the one who later came to earth and became the Great Teacher!—Genesis 1:26.
*** w09 7/15 p. 7 par. 1 Christian Families—Follow Jesus’ Example! ***
WHEN God made the heavens and the earth, his firstborn Son was beside him “as a master worker.” The Son of God also cooperated with his Father when Jehovah designed and created the huge variety of animal and plant life here on earth and when He prepared the Paradise that would be home to creatures made in Jehovah’s image and likeness. God’s Son, who later became known as Jesus, had a great love for mankind. “The things [he] was fond of were with the sons of men.”—Prov. 8:27-31; Gen. 1:26, 27.
Ancient archives citied from nearby nations, scrolls purposely collected, and other small pieces of story which were carried by word of mouth from tribes who scattered and dwell around Mesopotamia region throughout millennia have been put together in a collection called the bible; literally meaning “little books”. This continues on to Genesis chapter 3, where now a talking snake appeared. The snake says to Eve, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”(Ge3:5 English Standard Version)”
The snake insured Eve that she will be like God in knowing good and evil. The Watchtower has continuously accentuated the importance of the snakes role and false guarantee, but what is the truth? Let us take a look at the scene where clearly recorded after the fact that eating the forbidden fruit already occurred, the reaction of Elohim who knew what happened, " Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil...”(Ge 3:22 English Standard Version)” Elohim(Jehovah and Jesus in WT’s version) surely confirmed that snake’s declaration was correct that Adam and Eve would have been like Jehovah and his son Jesus in knowing good and evil if they eat the fruit!
What a blessing! Jehovah and Jesus declared that Adam and Eve have become like them in knowing good and evil! Watchtower has cornered itself, because there is no other interpretation of Watchtower’s explanation of “us”; because “become like one of us” means, as already laid out earlier-as a touchstone, that Adam and Eve themselves were like our true God, the Universal Creator and his son Jesus! (Ps 33:5; James 1:17; John 5:19)
Let us continually read later part of the Ge 3:22, “Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” what kind of point would they try to tell us from the second half of this scripture itself?
To assist a certain understanding from this scripture I would like to present an one example. A group of Supreme Court judges pronounced on the well-known case all over the world, “Plaintiffs are guilty of charge because you are like one of us, therefore death penalty are sentenced.”
If this nonsense happened, people who heard the decision from Supreme Court cannot stop laughing and the case would become laughingstock all over the world. Is this example sound familiar somewhere over the rainbow? Yes, exactly! Because the content of the record presented in the Genesis 3:22 resembles the above nonsense case…
Now, please read again... “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us (Jehovah and Jesus) in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—“, hum.. what does the WT study article (Feb. 28. 2016 Paragraph 16) reminds us?.. “ Is the explanation strange?”
By any chance, as in the assertion of the Watchtower’s doctrine, if Adam and Eve rebelled, therefore sentenced to death, directly confirmed that Jehovah and Jesus would have a same temperament of rebellious character because Elohim admitted that Adam and Eve became like one of them! Without carefully considering the scriptures in the bible and development in the doctrine; Watchtower and self-claimed apostle Paul, committed an inexcusable sin and blasphemy to our true Creator!
The story of Genesis associated with the fruit of good and evil not only became a laughingstock of the world, but also it was too far from the scripture as a touchstone in Ps. 33:5. (He is a lover of righteousness and justice.) . This understanding also supported by other harmonized scripture which the true God doesn’t have any single “variation of the turning of the shadow.” (James 1:17)
Let’s summarized, it is the violation of “righteousness and justice” if Adam and Eve had death penalty because they were like Jehovah and Jesus. On the other hand, if Adam and Eve rebelled to Jehovah, as insisted by the watchtower, then Jehovah and Jesus would have a same nature of rebellious character because Elohim admitted that Adam and Eve became like one of them! .. Then, … what kind of conclusion should we draw based on carefully examined scriptures and combine with Watchtower’s doctrine which doesn’t have any clue at all about original sin?
The conclusion is, the doctrine of original sin related to the good and evil fruit never exist from the beginning; another word, the plot of good and evil fruit is a fictional story such as “The Emperor’s New Suit” and all other related rhetoric ideas (Romans 5:17-19) and action such as the Memorial celebration would also be like “striking the air” every year.
P.S. The length of original research papers are total of 15pages and structured in 3 part. Which included review of some Hebrew words and related scriptures from Old Testament (i.e., Ge 5:2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man (adam –earthling in Hebrew) when they were created. – this scripture tells us the view point of Elohim when they look at us and after they made male and female they called “adam-earthling” which means the clarification of species instead of male’s name in the beginning. About original sin, also see Eze 18:20) and New Testament (i.e., John 13:26-27 precisely described how Judas received the piece of bread from Jesus but it does not mention anything regarding wine and loaf which should be given to all the disciples in this chapter. About original sin, also see John 9:2-3)
Due to the cultural barrier and language differences, please accept my apology if some of the explanations are poor. But I will try to translate all the pages in English when time permitted.
I would like to offer this article to those who are suffering or feel guilty due to the original sin doctrine presented by religion.