Garden vs. Table

A Theological Contrast

Theme Garden of Eden Lord's Supper
Covenantal Frame Covenant of Works Covenant of Grace
Human Condition Posse peccare et posse non peccare — able to sin, able not to sin (probation) Posse peccare et posse non peccare — able to sin, able not to sin (by grace)
Sacramental Moment Tree of testing Table of promise
Warning “In the day you eat…” (Gen 2:17) “Whoever eats unworthily…” (1 Cor 11:27)
Outcome of Failure Death and exile Judgment and discipline
Goal of Obedience Non posse peccare — confirmed righteousness; not able to sin (but failed) Non posse peccare — glorified communion; not able to sin (Matthew 26:29)

- The Lord's Table is not a reenactment of Adam's test, but a celebration of Christ's triumph. -

1 Corinthians 15:22-26

References consulted:

The Covenant of Works - Excerpt from The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher; A Brief Compendium of Bible Truth by Archibald Alexander