Q. 239.  How was Eve’s body formed?  A. Eve’s body was formed from a rib taken from Adam’s side during a deep sleep which God caused to come upon him.

Q. 240.  Why did God make Eve from one of Adam’s ribs?  A. God made Eve from one of Adam’s ribs to show the close relationship existing between husband and wife in their marriage union which God then instituted.

Q. 241.  Could man’s body be developed from the body of an inferior animal?  A. Man’s body could be developed from the body of an inferior animal if God so willed; but science does not prove that man’s body was thus formed, while revelation teaches that it was formed directly by God from the clay of the earth.

Q. 242.  Could man’s soul and intelligence be formed by the development of animal life and instinct?  A. Man’s soul could not be formed by the development of animal instinct; for, being entirely spiritual, it must be created by God, and it is united to the body as soon as the body is prepared to receive it.

Q. 243. {41} Did God give any command to Adam and Eve?  A. To try their obedience, God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of a certain fruit which grew in the garden of Paradise.

Q. 244.  What was the Garden of Paradise?  A. The Garden of Paradise was a large and beautiful place prepared for man’s habitation upon earth.  It was supplied with every species of plant and animal and with everything that could contribute to man’s happiness.

Q. 245.  Where was the Garden of Paradise situated?  A. The exact place in which the Garden of Paradise—­called also the Garden of Eden—­was situated is not known, for the deluge may have so changed the surface of the earth that old landmarks were wiped out.  It was probably some place in Asia, not far from the river Euphrates.

Q. 246.  What was the tree bearing the forbidden fruit called?  A. The tree bearing the forbidden fruit was called “the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

Q. 247.  Do we know the name of any other tree in the garden?  A. We know the name of another tree in the Garden called the “tree of life.”  Its fruit kept the bodies of our first parents in a state of perfect health.

Q. 248. {42} Which were the chief blessings intended for Adam and Eve had they remained faithful to God?  A. The chief blessings intended for Adam and Eve, had they remained faithful to God, were a constant state of happiness in this life and everlasting glory in the next.

Q. 249. {43} Did Adam and Eve remain faithful to God?  A. Adam and Eve did not remain faithful to God, but broke His command by eating the forbidden fruit.

Q. 250.  Who was the first to disobey God?  A. Eve was the first to disobey God, and she induced Adam to do likewise.

Q. 251.  How was Eve tempted to sin?  A. Eve was tempted to sin by the devil, who came in the form of a serpent and persuaded her to break God’s command.

Q. 252.  Which were the chief causes that led Eve into sin?  A. The chief causes that led Eve into sin were:  (1) She went into the danger of sinning by admiring what was forbidden, instead of avoiding it; (2) She did not fly from the temptation at once, but debated about yielding to it.  Similar conduct on our part will lead us also into sin.