13. Eden Lost: Why God Banished Adam & Eve From the Garden of Eden

Episode 13 : Genesis 3:20-24 - What really happened when Adam and Eve were banished from Eden? Who (or what) were the cherubim guarding the Tree of Life? And what does this ancient imagery tell us about divine presence, death, and eternity?In this final episode of our Genesis 1–3 series, Dr. Mark Chavalas unpacks Genesis 3:20–24 and explores Ancient Near Eastern parallels, the symbolism of the east gate, and the mysterious heavenly beings called cherubim. We also wrestle with massive theological questions about immortality, afterlife, and whether Eden still exists—somewhere.🔥 In This Episode:➡️ Cherubim: terrifying guards or heavenly worshipers?➡️ Is Eden lost—or just relocated?➡️ Ancient Near Eastern views on the underworld➡️ Are Adam and Eve real and archetypal?➡️ Did the Israelites copy Mesopotamian myths?➡️ The significance of the Tree of Life📚 Books & Resources Mentioned:Daniel I. Block - The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24 (NICOT)Othmar Keel - The Symbolism of the Biblical WorldThe Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago – Free online accessMichael S. Heiser - Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly HostUnderstanding the ancient world clarifies God’s judgment, mercy, and mission. This episode bridges ancient iconography, theology, and modern interpretation, helping us rethink what it means to be human after the fall—and how God makes a way back to Himself.💬 Let’s Talk in the Comments:What’s your take on cherubim? Do you think Adam and Eve were literally cursed—or just redirected? Let us know below!🎥 Like, Subscribe & ShareHelp others rediscover the ancient roots of Scripture.