The Garden Of Eden... In Chinese
The oldest continuous written language in the world belongs to the Chinese; some estimating that it dates back 4,500 years ago. It is not a language written with an alphabet, as English, or French, or even Greek or Hebrew, but is comprised of pictures to convey words and ideas. By combining two or more basic pictures, more complex images and thoughts are created. What is really neat, is that we can see in the Chinese language things that are unmistakably associated with the events recorded in the book of Genesis. Let us consider some of these today.
Creation
The Chinese image for CREATE combines two other words, TALK and WALK. The symbol for TALK comprises three other basic pictures, DUST, MOUTH and LIFE. Compare this with Genesis 2:7, "And the LORD God formed man of the DUST of the ground and BREATHED into his nostrils
the BREATH OF LIFE, and man became a LIVING being." The symbol for MOUTH can also represent a MAN or BREATH. God made man, not as an infant, but as a grown man, who was both WALKING and TALKING.
Adam, whom God made of dust was the first man. Three images give us the word FIRST; LIFE, DUST and MAN. This man was created to have fellowship with God, and in this fellowship he would find happiness.
The Chinese picture for HAPPINESS or BLESSING is conveyed through four images that demonstrate GOD and MAN sharing fellowship (ONE) in the GARDEN.
In the beginning, there were two people. In the Chinese language, an image for BEGINNING is comprised of two simpler pictures - TWO and PEOPLE. These two dwelt in the garden, and were free to eat from every tree of the garden, except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was in the midst of the garden. God had forbidden them to take of this tree.
The Chinese symbol for FORBIDDEN is made of the characters for TWO TREES and a COMMAND. There were two trees of significance in the garden, the tree of life, which they could eat from, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded they not eat from. It was forbidden.
Temptation
But the man and woman were not alone in the garden. Aside from the animals who were under their charge, another being made his presence known, the DEVIL. Four simple characters combine to form the Chinese picture for DEVIL. They are: LIFE, SECRET, GARDEN, and MAN.
There was a secret or unseen life in the garden with man. Take teh image for DEVIL, and combine it with COVER and TWO TREES, and you have TEMPTER. Satan deceived the woman (ie. covered her eyes) with regard to the trees in the garden.
NOTE - this material is just a small sample of the huge amount of evidence which exists for a link between the Chinese language and Genesis 1-11. To date, through additional study in the Chinese language, I have found 87 characters which tell the story of Genesis.
“...we can see in the Chinese language things that are unmistakably associated with the events recorded in the book of Genesis.”
Having heeded the voice of the serpent, the Scriptures reveal that Eve "...saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise...", and so she took and ate of the fruit, giving to her husband also (Genesis 3:6). Having been tempted, she was moved by desire. The Chinese symbol for DESIRE or COVET is TWO TREES and WOMAN together.
Upon eating the fruit which God had forbidden, we're told that "...the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked..." (Genesis 3:7). When MAN took of the FRUIT he was not to, he knew that he was NAKED.
And then, hearing God walking in the garden, "...Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8). The Chinese sign for HIDE has three symbols, BODY, IS, and TREE. They sought to conceal their bodies in the trees.
God then revealed the consequences of their sin. To the woman, He said, "...in pain you shall bring forth children..." (Genesis 3:16). PAIN is comprised of three other symbols, TWO TREES, UNDER, AND MAN.
To the man, the LORD said, "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you." (Genesis 3:17-18). The Chinese word for SORROW is from ANCIENT AND WEEDS. And, it appears that ANCIENT may be a combination of MOUTH (which can be used to symbolize man) and TEN (perhaps representing man's fingers, with which he fed himself).
Cain And Abel
After leaving the garden, we read of Adam and Eve's children, Cain and Abel. Cain was the older brother. The Chinese symbol for ELDER BROTHER brings together MOUTH and MAN. Of course, in most ancient cultures (and even today), the ELDEST BROTHER is often consider the spokesman for the family. But Cain was a wicked and violent man; in fact he "...rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." (Genesis 4:8).
When God pronounced judgment against Cain, he pleaded, "My punishment is greater than I can bear." (Genesis 4:13). Addressing the fear that anyone who should find him would kill him, God "...set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him." (Genesis 4:15). The Chinese symbol for a CRUEL or VIOLENT man takes the symbol for ELDER BROTHER, but adds the number SEVEN as a MARK on him.
Friend, there is the story of Genesis 1-4, conveyed in the language of the Chinese. What an amazing testimony to the Scriptures, as we see these happenings of the beginning days of humanity concealed in the etymology of this ancient language. Some really amazing stuff!! How sad that the borders of China are officially closed to the word of God, especially when their language is nothing less than a door to it.
Stay tuned for more from the book of Genesis and the Chinese language next week.
Article Navigation:
Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
Do humans have free will? Some Bible texts indicate yes (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15), while other texts indicate no (Acts 13:48; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:11-22; Ephesians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 1:9; Jude 4). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
There are several other texts in the Scriptures besides Deuteronomy 30:19 and Joshua 24:15 which demonstrate that we have free will. I do think it interesting that only two Old Testament texts are thus employed by the questioner, and then a series of New Testament (no OT) are given as proof that we do not have free will. First, notice a few New Testament verses which reveal man's free will:
Romans 6:16 - Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
A choice is demanded and thus the exercise of free will is needed. We choose to present ourselves before sin or obedience.
Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The invitation is extended to "whomever desires". The Lord will not force any to be saved, and will not turn away any who desire.
Acts 17:30 - Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
God does not command what we are not able to do. Thus, "all men everywhere" may freely choose to repent.
There are certainly other New Testament texts which demonstrate our ability to choose, to exercise free will, but these will suffice. Now, to address the verses which the questioner claims contradict the notion of free will.
Acts 13:48 - Who is appointed to eternal life? Those who believe. It is not that those who are appointed will believe (which is Calvinism), but those who believe are appointed (exercise of free will).
Romans 8:29-30 - The word "predestined" is confused at times, just as "appointed". Many believe predestination involves God's choosing one but not choosing another, but the Bible tells us that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:35). The Bible does not teach that some people are chosen, but others are not; rather, the Bible reveals a predestined place (Ephesians 1:3-5; Galatians 3:27).
Romans 9:11-22 - Just prior to the portion of text which is referenced, Paul argued that the children of God are determined, by fleshly seed, but by spiritual seed (Romans 9:1-10). This is so for all, whether of the nation Israel or not. However, we read, "...Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated..." In the text, Jacob represents Israel; Eau represents Edom. This took place, not as a result of man's will or work (see Genesis 27:1-5), but God's choosing and mercy (Genesis 25:23).
As we consider Pharaoh, he willed to keep the children of Israel captive, and worked to that end, but God's plan was different. Pharaoh, who set himself against the LORD was used to display the power of God in all the earth. How is it that God hardened Pharaoh's heart? Simply by giving him a command that he would not obey. God did not violate Pharaoh's will; Pharaoh violated God's will.
Romans 9:19-21 answers the Jewish complaints against the LORD regarding their rejection and judgment by the LORD. If God wants to show His wrath and make His power known through judgment of the Jews, it is in His power to do so. Several times through the history of the Jews, He had done so, as they wandered in and out of sin. But it is no violation of man's free will for God to judge the nation.
Ephesians 1:4-5 - How did God "choose" and "predestine" us? It is "in Him", that is, in Christ Jesus. As noted earlier (in the notes on Romans 8:29-30), Galatians 3:27) reveals how we get "in Christ" - through obedient faith, and being baptized into Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - Notice that the folks under consideration in this text "...did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." This being their desire, God sends delusion upon them, allowing them to believe the lie which they have loved. God does not violate their free will in this; they choose a lie over the truth.
2 Timothy 1:9 - Verse 10 reveals that Christ has "...brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..." It is not by our own works that we have been saved, but through our subjection to the LORD's will, and obedience to the gospel message. Our salvation is dependent upon us forsaking our own will and purpose, and submitting to the will and purpose of God. This is not contrary to free will. We are free to choose whether we will serve God our ourselves.
Jude 4 - Why were these men marked out for condemnation? Is it because God has simply rejected them and desires to destroy them? Or, is it because of their wicked works? The former is contrary to the desire of God (2 Peter 3:9). These mark themselves for condemnation because they walk in an ungodly manner.
None of the texts listed stand contrary to free will. God has given each of us the ability to choose to serve Him or to reject Him. All are free to choose life or death. There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.