If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create them?

Answer

The Bible teaches that God created all things, including us, for Himself, and He is glorified in His creation. “From him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” «For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.», (Romans 11:36).

It may be challenging to understand how Adam and Eve’s fall into sin could bring glory to God. Some may even question why God, knowing in advance the trouble they would cause, still created them.

God is omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6), and He knows the future «declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: », (Isaiah 46:10). Therefore, He was aware that Adam and Eve would sin. Nevertheless, He created them with free will, and they chose to sin.

We must understand that Adam and Eve’s fall into sin does not imply that God is the source of sin or that He tempted them to sin «Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: », (James 1:13). However, their fall aligns with God’s overall plan for creation and humanity.

When we examine what some theologians refer to as the “meta-narrative” (or overarching storyline) of Scripture, we can see the biblicaAll history can be roughly divided into three main sections: 1) paradise (Genesis 1—2); 2) paradise lost (Genesis 3—Revelation 20); and 3) paradise regained (Revelation 21—22). The largest part of the narrative focuses on the transition from paradise lost to paradise regained. At the core of this meta-narrative is the cross, which was planned from the very beginning, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23).

Reading Scripture carefully, we can draw the following conclusions:

1. The fall of mankind was foreknown by God.
2. The crucifixion of Christ, the atonement for God’s elect, was foreordained by God.
3. All people will one day glorify God, “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; And shall glorify thy name” (Psalm 86:9), and God purposes “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10).

God’s purpose was to create a world in which His glory could be manifest in all its fullness. The glory of God is the overarching goal of creation. In fact, it is the overarching goal of everything He does. The universe was created to display God’s glory, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1), and the wrath of God is revealed against those who fail to glorify God.

(Romans 1:18-25). The world that best displays the glory of God is the world we have—a world that was allowed to fall, a world that was redeemed, a world that will be restored to its original perfection.

God’s wrath and mercy reveal the richness of His glory, but we cannot perceive either without mankind’s fall. We would never comprehend grace if we had never required it. Therefore, all of God’s plan—including the fall, election, redemption, and atonement of mankind—serves to glorify God. When man succumbed to sin, God’s mercy was promptly evident in His decision not to end him immediately. God’s grace was immediately apparent in the garments He provided to cover their shame «Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. », (Genesis 3:21). God’s patience and forbearance were subsequently evident as mankind descended further into sin. God’s justice and wrath were evident when He unleashed the flood, and His mercy and grace were once again demonstrated when He saved Noah and his family. God’s holy wrath and perfect justice will be revealed in the future when He deals with Satan conclusively (Revelation 20:7-10).

God’s glory is also unveiled in His love «And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. », (1 John 4:16). Our understanding of God’s love stems from the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ in this fallen world. “This is how God demonstrated His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” «In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. », (1 John 4:9). If God had chosen not to create Adam and Eve due to His knowledge of their fall, or if He had made them automatons without volition, we would never have truly understood what love is.

The ultimate display of God’s glory occurred at the cross, where His wrath, justice, and mercy intersected. The righteous judgment of all sin was carried out at the cross, and God’s grace was evident in His Son’s words, “Father, forgive them” «Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. », (Luke 23:34). God’s love and grace are revealed in those whom He has saved (John 3:16;Ephesians 2:8–10). Ultimately, God will receive glory as His chosen people worship Him for eternity alongside the angels, and even the wicked will glorify God as His righteousness leads to the eternal punishment of unrepentant sinners «and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. », (Philippians 2:11). Without Adam and Eve’s fall, we would never have comprehended God’s justice, grace, mercy, or love.

Some argue that God’s foreknowledge and preordination of the fall infringe upon man’s freedom. In essence, if God created mankind fully aware of the impending fall into sin, how can man be accountable for his sin? The Westminster Confession of Faith provides insight into this question:

“God, from all eternity, by His own wise and holy counsel, freely and unchangeably ordained all that comes to pass; yet in doing so, God is not the author of sin, nor does He force the will of His creatures, nor does He negate the liberty or contingency of second.

Causes taken away, but rather established” (WFC, III.1)

In other words, God ordains future events in such a way that our freedom and the working of secondary causes (e.g., laws of nature) are preserved. Theologians refer to this as “concurrence.” God’s sovereign will flows concurrently with our free choices in such a manner that our free choices always lead to the fulfillment of God’s will (by “free” we mean that our choices are not coerced by external influences). It’s a intricate interaction of wills and choices, but the Creator God can manage any level of complexity.

God foresaw Adam and Eve’s fall. He created them regardless, in His own image, to bring glory to Himself. They were granted freedom to make choices. Even though they decided to disobey, their decision became the means by which God’s ultimate will was accomplished and by which His complete glory will be revealed.