Topical Bible: Unholy Fear: Adam

◄ Unholy Fear: Adam ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

The concept of unholy fear is first introduced in the Bible through the narrative of Adam, the first man created by God. This fear is characterized by a sense of dread and anxiety that arises from disobedience and a broken relationship with God. Adam's experience of unholy fear provides a foundational understanding of the spiritual and relational consequences of sin.

Biblical Account

The account of Adam's unholy fear is found in the Book of Genesis. After God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden, He commanded him not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). However, Adam, along with Eve, succumbed to the temptation presented by the serpent and ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6).

Manifestation of Unholy Fear

Following their disobedience, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, and they realized their nakedness. This newfound awareness led to feelings of shame and fear. When they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden, they hid themselves among the trees (Genesis 3:8). This act of hiding signifies the onset of unholy fear—a fear that stems from guilt and the anticipation of divine judgment.

When God called out to Adam, asking, "Where are you?" Adam responded, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself" (Genesis 3:9-10). Adam's fear was not a reverential awe of God but a terror rooted in the awareness of his transgression and the rupture of his fellowship with the Creator.

Theological Implications

Adam's unholy fear highlights the immediate spiritual consequences of sin. It illustrates how sin distorts the relationship between humanity and God, replacing trust and communion with fear and alienation. This fear is unholy because it is not born out of respect or love for God but out of a realization of one's own sinfulness and the expectation of punishment.

The narrative also underscores the broader theme of accountability. Adam's attempt to hide from God reflects a futile effort to escape divine scrutiny. It serves as a reminder that no sin is hidden from God, and that unholy fear is an inevitable result of trying to conceal one's wrongdoing.

Impact on Humanity

Adam's experience of unholy fear set a precedent for all of humanity. As the federal head of the human race, Adam's fall introduced sin and its accompanying fear into the world. This fear is a common human experience, manifesting whenever individuals act contrary to God's will and subsequently face the reality of their actions.

The Apostle Paul reflects on this condition in his epistle to the Romans, stating, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12). The unholy fear that Adam experienced is thus a shared aspect of the human condition, necessitating redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

While the narrative of Adam introduces the concept of unholy fear, it also sets the stage for the redemptive work of Christ, who offers a way to overcome this fear through faith and restoration of the relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 3:10
And he said, I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sanctification in Fellowship with Immanuel
... fallen like Adam, he can not be restored like Adam. ... need no sanctification, for they
have never become unholy. ... Such doubts would cause us fear and rob us of ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii sanctification in fellowship with.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... This ungodly fear was that which possessed Adam's heart in the day that he did eat
of the tree concerning which the Lord has said unto him, "In the day that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

John Chapter viii. 48-59
... fear;" but according to another, "the fear of the ... merits of] my cause against an
unholy nation;" similarly ... is sinless; we, as men, inherit from Adam both death ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xliii john chapter viii.htm

On the Fall of Man
... the natural: He commenced unholy, foolish, and unhappy. And "in Adam all died:"
He entitled all his posterity to error, guilt, sorrow, fear, pain, diseases ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 57 on the fall.htm

Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving.
... is not the final token of being holy or unholy. ... respect the redeemed in heaven are
like Adam and Eve ... of Grace; laying upon God's saints the fear and distress ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v holy raiment of ones.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and ... the devils to
hell, and it drove Adam and Eve ... He accused Job of this: "Doth Job fear God for ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

God's Love to Fallen Man
... a whole train of uneasy, as well as unholy passions and ... 6. Such gainers may we be
by Adam's fall, with regard ... and with regard to what we should fear, were it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 59 gods love to.htm

The New Birth
... But this separation from God, Adam sustained in the day ... he was now under the power
of servile fear, so that ... deprived at the same time, and became unholy as well ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 45 the new birth.htm

Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... it, until the sons of God themselves make unholy alliances and ... hast cast thyself
into nakedness and into fear; for thou art hiding thyself Adam, where art ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/mercy omnipotence and justice.htm

John iii. 17
... counted the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing, and ... Since Adam also died on the
day that he ate ... right doctrine a sound conversation also, they fear to come ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii john iii 17.htm