The modern mind struggles to conceive of a world truly untouched by decay. We are born into a reality governed by the grim necessities of death, disease, and suffering—a reality that seems to inherently conflict with the biblical declaration that "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good." (Genesis 1:31).
For the Orthodox Christian, understanding this original, "very good" world—the pre-Fall creation—is not merely an exercise in historical theology. It is a vital lens through which we comprehend the scope of Christ’s salvation and the true promise of the Kingdom to come.
The State of Pre-Fall Creation: A Cosmos in Harmony
Orthodox theology holds a profound view of the initial creation, a state known as Paradise (or Eden). This was not simply a garden, but the template for the entire cosmos, existing in a state of perfect synergy (cooperation) and incorruption (aptharsia).
1. Absence of Death (Thanatos) and Corruption (Phthora):
The most striking difference from our current world is the absence of death and decay. The Fathers teach that death, both spiritual and physical, was an intruder—a consequence of the Fall, not part of God's original design. In the original creation:
The Physical World: Matter itself was incorruptible. There was no internal necessity for things to break down, sicken, or perish. Life was sustained not through violent consumption, but through the Tree of Life and God's unceasing grace.
The Animal Kingdom: The relationship between creatures was peaceful. The original blessing to animals speaks of herbs and fruits for food (Gen 1:30), suggesting that predation—the ultimate expression of suffering and death—was foreign to the initial order. The lion lay down with the lamb, not as a metaphor, but as a biological reality of a harmonious, non-violent cosmos.
2. The Royal Priesthood of Man:
Adam was created as the King and Priest of creation. His role was not to dominate through exploitation, but to serve as the unifying link between the spiritual and material realms. Man’s intellect and will were perfectly aligned with God’s, and through his righteous presence, the energies of God flowed into and sustained the material world, preserving it from corruption.
The Bitter Contrast: Post-Fall Reality
The moment of the ancestral sin—Adam and Eve's willful disobedience—shattered this cosmic harmony. The Fall was not a private, personal event; it was a cosmic catastrophe because the King/Priest of creation broke his communion with God.
The following changes illustrate the stark contrast:
Crucially, the Earth did not change itself; it was subjected to futility "in hope" (Romans 8:20). The Orthodox view stresses that God, in His love, immediately limited the effects of the Fall. Death became a necessary spiritual surgical tool—it prevents man from living eternally in a fallen, sinful state, thus opening the door for repentance and resurrection.
Understanding Salvation Through the Lens of the Pre-Fall State
By grasping the concept of the original, incorruptible creation, the role of Christ becomes clear. The Incarnation and Resurrection are not just about forgiving sins; they are about recreating the world.
Christ, the New Adam, steps into the fallen creation and, through His sinless life, voluntary death, and victorious Resurrection, begins the restoration process. His Resurrection is the first-fruits (1 Cor 15:20) of the new incorruptible human nature and the new incorruptible cosmos.
The Orthodox Church does not simply look forward to 'going to heaven' as a disembodied spirit. It looks forward to the Resurrection of the Body and the New Heavens and the New Earth (Rev 21:1)—the final, definitive restoration of the original, perfect design, magnified by the grace of God into something even greater, a life of eternal theosis (deification).
The pre-Fall world is our blueprint. It reminds us that death and suffering are not normal; they are invaders. And our faith promises that the invaders will be fully and finally expelled by the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Deepening Your Understanding (Further Reading)
This trenchant commentary shows clearly how the proper understanding of the initial,
incorrupt Creation and the subsequent Fall is foundational to all Christian doctrine, providing a map to the time-tested answers found within the rich Tradition of the Orthodox Church.
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