EXPEDITION GUIDE

To understand our current need for protection, we must journey back to the beginning – to a world vastly different from our own. The Bible describes an original creation that was perfect, a stark contrast to the world we know today. This perfect world, as depicted in the early chapters of Genesis, was characterized by harmony, peace, and direct communion with God.

In this pristine environment, Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where all their needs were met abundantly. They experienced perfect relationship with their Creator and with one another. There was no strife, no conflict, no need for walls or weapons. It was a world without the concept of “military” because there simply was no need.

However, this perfection was disrupted by a single pivotal action – the first act of disobedience in human history. God had given Adam and Eve freedom to enjoy all of creation, with one specific restriction: they were not to eat fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This command was not meant to deprive them, but to provide a context for trust and obedience in their Creator.

The account in Genesis 3 describes how this trust was broken. Eve, tempted by the serpent (later identified as Satan), began to doubt God’s goodness and wisdom. The serpent’s cunning words planted seeds of desire for knowledge and power that seemed to be withheld from them. Eve saw that the fruit was “good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6, ESV).

In military terms, this could be seen as the first “dereliction of duty” – a failure to obey a direct order from the an authoritarian figure. Eve took the fruit and ate it, then she gave it to Adam, who also ate the fruit. This act of disobedience, which we call sin, shattered everything in the perfect world God had created.

The consequences were immediate and far-reaching. Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, and they felt shame for the first time. They hid from God, introducing fear and separation into what had been a perfect relationship. God’s judgment on their actions brought pain, toil, and ultimately death into the entire world.

This event marked the transition from a world of perfection to one of corruption. It introduced the concept of evil, setting the stage for conflicts that would eventually necessitate the development of military forces and protection strategies. The harmony of creation was disrupted, affecting not just human relationships but the entire natural order designed by God.

Understanding this pivotal moment in history is crucial for grasping why our world is the way it is today. It explains the origin of conflict, the need for protection, and the universal human experience of struggling against our own nature and things of this world. This “fall” from perfection set the stage for the long journey of human history, including the development of military structures and the ongoing spiritual battle against sin.

The brokenness of creation is often experienced in profound and unique ways.  Here are some examples that highlight the some area related the military life:

• In Combat Zones: Some have witnessed firsthand the devastation of war – a stark reminder of how far we’ve fallen from the peace of Eden. The need for military forces itself is a testament to the broken relationships between nations and peoples.
• In Physical Injuries: Many people carry the marks of conflict on their bodies. From combat wounds to chronic pain from years of service, these physical ailments reflect the vulnerability of our bodies in a fallen world.
• In PTSD and Moral Injury: The psychological scars of war, including PTSD and moral injury, are vivid examples of how our minds and spirits can be deeply affected by the consequences of sin in the world. The internal struggles many face upon returning home highlight the dissonance between our longing for peace and the reality of our broken world.
• In Broken Relationships: The strain that military service can put on families and friendships – from long deployments to the challenges of reintegration – reflects how even our closest bonds can be tested in this fallen world.

• In Loss of Comrades: The grief experienced over fallen brothers and sisters in arms is a poignant reminder of death’s intrusion into God’s perfect creation.
• In Questioning Purpose: Many service members struggle with finding meaning and purpose after leaving the service, echoing humanity’s broader search for significance in a world that’s lost its original, perfect design.

These experiences, while difficult, can also provide us with a unique perspective on the depth of creation’s brokenness and the urgent need for restoration. Just as military service often instills a deep appreciation for peace, understanding the Fall can heighten our longing for and appreciation of God’s ultimate plan of redemption.

As we reflect on this transformation from perfection to corruption, we can begin to see how deeply sin has affected our world and why we need both physical and spiritual protection. It helps us understand the gravity of sin and sets the context for our continuing exploration of its nature and consequences.