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Jumpstarter 8 of 10

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Divine Mysteries: Exploring the Trinity, Evil, and Human Destiny  /  Why God Permits Evil  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 8
Bercot says early Christians viewed Adam and Eve as more like “children” in maturity and experience, not on the level of Jesus’ human maturity, and that after the fall they retained a “divine spark” and free will “not in perfect form”; how does that “less high before / less low after” view change the way you think about your own responsibility, your expectations of holiness, and your need for grace?
Another way to ask: If Adam and Eve were less mature at first and still kept some “divine spark” and imperfect free will after the fall, how does that change how you see your responsibility and your need for grace? How does it shape what you expect from yourself in holiness?

Direct Answer Bercot’s “less high before / less low after” view implies you are truly responsible because you still have freedom to choose obedience, yet you should expect struggle because your will is damaged, not perfected. That combination keeps holiness as a real calling while keeping grace as absolutely necessary.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says early Christians didn’t see Adam and Eve as fully mature: “more like children… in their maturity and… understanding… they didn’t have any experiences that make up maturity.”
  • He contrasts with a common Western assumption: that Adam was “essentially on the same level of Jesus Christ… as a man.”
  • After the fall they retained “a measure of the divine nature… the divine spark… they still had free will… but… no longer… in perfect form… inclination would be to sin, but… still… power to do good or evil.”
  • He rejects two extremes: “either… totally depraved or… totally good… No… We are fallen, but… still have a measure of that divine image.”
  • He emphasizes grace: “without God’s grace, none of us can be saved… On that point… the Reformers are absolutely correct.”
Discussion Follow-ups How would this reshape your expectations when you fail—repentance without despair? What practices help you cooperate with grace while still owning responsibility?

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