What Is The Tree Of Knowledge Of Good and Evil?

In the mainline Protestant tradition, Walter Brueggerman is perhaps the leading Old Testament scholar. Imagine my dismay, then, when I was reading his commentary on Genesis and came across this passage on the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (referred to from now on as “TKGE”):

“Even less is known of the tree of knowledge. It is found nowhere else in Scripture. While it is true that this is the prohibited tree, nothing is made of that. It seems incidental there are two trees... in any case, the story is not interested in the character of the tree. The trees are incidental to the main point that God’s command is a serious one.”

I completely disagree. The character of the trees are of the greatest importance, as is the fact that there are two trees - “The Tree of Life” and “TKGE.” Understanding what happened to Adam and Eve when they ate the fruit, and not merely the fact that they “disobeyed” God, is where we find vast potential for movement into greater freedom.

So I made a search for other Christian thinkers who had given the character of the two trees more credence. Here are two rather random writers I found, who represent the two basic understandings of the character of the TKGE. (with my commentary in parentheses).

Douglas Stuart:  “The idea is that we now have more knowledge than we can morally handle. That is the point of what is emphasized here in this story. Part of the human dilemma as a consequence of the fall is that humans have enormous knowledge of how to do bad things as well as how to do good things.”

(The TKGE represents the capacity of humans, unlike other animals, to make moral judgments - and even to know that right and wrong exists. Which means we can choose whether to do good or bad deeds.)

Micah Redding:  Humanity was created to be like God, to do the sort of work that God does: to create and cultivate life, to name and categorize creation. And so these two trees were not hidden away from humankind—but planted directly within reach. And yet, God forbids humans to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Why?... Humans weren’t ready.”

(Redding takes Stuart’s description a step further. The TKGE is not just about knowing right and wrong. Along with the Tree of Life, it represents the capacity of human beings to surpass their animal natures and flirt with divinity - to “create and cultivate life.” Which Adam and Eve were not prepared for. Giving humans this possibility is kind of like putting a 5 yr-old behind the wheel of a car. The results can be disastrous.)

In short, the TKGE and The Tree of Life represent what separates humanity from the rest of the animal kingdom - both in moral and creative capacities. Which makes the distinct character of the two trees not only relevant, but also fundamental for understanding who we are as creatures and as human beings, and why we continue to struggle so deeply to enjoy lives of peace and abundance.

Reinhold Niebuhr is perhaps the modern theologian who most famously captured this concept, with his description of human nature as being simultaneously "finite and free." But he still seems to operate within the rubric of sin-guilt-pardon. Can a fuller treatment of the nature of the TKGE, and its companion the Tree of Life, move us to a more freeing understanding of human nature, human predicament, and human possibility?

In the next post, I will pivot to the Tree of Life and search for its character, which is just as important and just as elusive as the TKGE.