his instructions and experience death. Adam and Eve are created beings, fully and wonderfully human as they live out their freedom under God’s reign, according to his rule of life. The temptation they face through the serpent is to assert their autonomy: to become a law unto themselves. Autonomy means choosing oneself as the source for determining what is right and wrong, rather than relying on God’s word for direction. The serpent subtly casts doubt on God’s words to Adam and Eve and doubt even