In 1975, I wrote Biology for Grade 11 (back then it was called Standard 9) Now I am essentially a left brain type; excelling in Art and Atheletics, so regardless of how hard I tried to stuff information into my brain, it would fall out again and inevitably I would have to resort to some sort of dishonest and shameful action to ensure my pass on the complex subjects.

I passed Biblical Studies at Grade 12 level, simply because I employed my art in converting all the complex information into pictures. This process I used in my repeat year in Grade 6. It worked so well that by the time I was in Grade 7, I managed to come third in my class. (It was one of the big three academic colleges in the Western Province : SACS, Rondebosh and Bishops) However, I really excelled on the rugby playing field eventually playing under 16A. (In my little world back then, that was regarded a pretty big achievement.)

Now to the matter of my Grade 11 exam in Biology. The exam is set and so are all exams, so if one could get a copy of the paper in advance one could pass with high marks. I was not that ingenious and resorted to desperate measures...no I did not write it on my shirt sleeve inner, or my arms or hand or ruler, all pretty good systems if you are not endowed with the skills to excell. I just popped my Biology book in my desk and peeped in when I need to find and answer. My actions were brazen disregard and disrespect for my sweet teacher. She eventually caught me at it and I was told to hand in my paper and proceed to the headmasters office.

I sluggishly made my way out of the classroom and proceeded up the wide hall to the headmasters office, dreading the shouts and punishment that would ensue. To my horror, I was no more than two minutes out into the hall that I spied the Headmaster coming straight at me. It was exam time and no one was to wonder about.

He swiftly questioned me as to my reason for being out of class and when I told in a very disrespectful tone, I had been cribbing in Miss ________ class, my tiny headmaster reached forward and grabbed my shirt and shook me so hard that my buttons fell off. All he said was, "Go home and do not return." I had been expelled.

I went back to the classroom, colleted my books and looked at the teacher and said, "It's all your fault." Of course it was all my fault, but I was a childish teenager and I was in hot water; with the head of the orphanage and the ultimately my earthly father. (I was still in Adam)

To finish the story part; I went back to the orphanage and was severely reprimanded. My father was called in and deep intense discussion were had and it was decided that in order to make 'Johnny B Goode' I would be sent to the military to learn discipline, with the end that I would become a law abiding citizen. Well, it did not work, the laws that govern military life are even more intense and it was not long before I would be expelled from the Navy. (thankfully in Christ)

Often I read the phrase in theological papers, 'the fall of Adam' and one might get a sense that my story is the 'the fall of Straw' BUT, it is my puzzle and sadly it will not puzzle y'all; did Straw fall or was He expelled for failing to comply with the rules...in School and in the Navy. (the Navy details are mentioned in my book 'Abraxas to Jesus') However, seeing as this is a Theology Discussion Forum; it would be probably better to ask:

Did Adam fall, hence 'The Fall of Adam' or was Adam expelled, hence 'The Expulsion of Adam' ?

That is the question. Now just some of my own thoughts on this from a theological point of view. Adam and Eve (Adam) were in this garden (be it actual physical or symbolic metaphorical) and were given 'ONE' rule not to disobey. 'Do not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden' as well as being told that if they did do this, they would, 'surely die' No doubt about what was said. Enter the dragon, I mean the serpent, and a subtle, crafty one who employed very powerful devices to lure Eve into a place where she would consciously disregard the prior warning of God regarding this dangerous tree. By the time the serpent was finished weaving his tale in her mind, she no longer saw that tree as dangerous, but instead it looked GREAT, and TASTY, and instead of being dangerous, it was going to give her something she imagined she needed WISDOM, the sort that would make her on the same level as GOD. (Knowing good and evil) She fell for it, the lie.

Now we know that nothing happens without God knowing, sort of like the head-honcho in the Matrix. Somebody knows everything at all times and in this life, the knower of all things is GOD. GOD knew about the serpents plan, and based on what we know about Satan's need to have permission to do his nasty deeds, they are all verified and authenticated by GOD. Hence, we may conclude that the event that happened in the Garden of Eden (whether actual or symbolic metaphorical) was something which GOD had already in mind when He created Eve, and Adam.

Adam's role in this is not really active. He only arrives on the scene after the deed has been done and Eve will now surely die. Eve now deceived begins to weave her web, the same web that the serpent wove around her mind, around her man's mind and though some tell that Adam consciously decided to join Eve in her sin in a sacrificial way, type of Christ, it is more apparent that Adam enters into her fall deceived as much by the serpent influence as she is. Hence, they are both in it together.

Now in what follows they have failed, but what is to come is expulsion. GOD eventually finds them hiding in the garden all covered up to avoid the shame of their disobedience and frightened of GOD, the fear of death has probably settled on them. No? Well, they are certainly cowering and afraid, probably trembling. No? Okay, they are hiding away from the one who had created them. Right!

He then cross questions them and not as if he does not know, but they clearly are not willing to accept blame for their actions and the one blames the other in a classic Hitchcock tradition, until eventually GOD pronounces curses over the woman, the man and the serpent, with a promise hidden in there of something to come. (I am pretty sure they did not understand what Jesus was talking about, did I say Jesus. Okay, what God was talking about. They did however realize that at some point a seed would come from the woman's side which would crush the head of the serpent.) Whether they remembered or forgot this we are not told. Then GOD expells then from the garden and places security gaurds at the entrance so that they cannot return. Notice they are expelled through the entrance, so there certainly must have been traffic to and fro. (okay a bit off the point)

Now it is my conclusion that the phrase used by man to describe what happened to Adam is incorrect; namely 'the fall of Adam' I think it might have been less confusion to call it the 'Expulsion of Adam and Eve' or perhaps better said, 'The Expulsion of the Adamic Race' for after this the entire race was doomed to death, though we notice certain escaped this (Enoch, Elijah and others...they walked with God). < but this is not really what my question is about....

What I want to know from ye academically minded studs, is whether or not it is wrong to say, "THE FALL OF ADAM" or not ? - and of course. Why ?

(I am already reading A PURITAN CATECHISM by Spurgeon, hoping to find some answers before ye all write back on this one.)

Love,