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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: If the first people – Adam and Eve – were created perfect, why did they bring to this world what is called “the great fall”? They had to be untamed to end up sowing such evil as taught “in the beginning.” Why would God create such creatures that produced a son like Cain, who killed his own brother? It keeps me from believing that God could really be compassionate and loving. – F.W.

A: God created this world as a perfect whole. He created the beautiful, harmonious world that man threw away – the perfect world that we’re longing to find again, the world for which the human race searches.

In this perfect world, God placed man. Adam was perfect because nothing that God does can ever be less than perfect. Upon this man, God bestowed a most precious gift; God gave to man the freedom of choice.

A heartbroken father once heard his son say, “Dad, now that I’ve completed my education, I’m no longer sure I can go along with your teaching of God’s salvation.” The father studied his son’s eyes and said, “Son, that is your freedom – your terrible freedom.”

The first man was no cave dweller – no growling creature of the forest trying to subdue the perils of the jungle. Adam was created full-grown with every mental and physical faculty developed. He walked with God and had fellowship with Him. He was intended to live as a king, ruling by the will of God.

Adam had total freedom – freedom to choose or to reject, freedom to obey God’s commands or to go contrary to them, freedom to be happy or miserable. For it isn’t the mere possession of freedom that makes life satisfying – it is what we choose to do with our freedom that determines whether or not we find peace with God and with ourselves.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.