This ongoing dialogue is undeniably thought-provoking and highly enlightening. It is crucial for us to establish a clear distinction between the experiences of mankind in the garden and our own experiences. The circumstances under which they existed were vastly different from ours. The pivotal aspect of mankind's relationship with God in the garden was the test they faced, which introduced a tension between their free will and their obligation. At that point, there was no need for redemption. In contrast, we are inherently born with sin, rendering us incapable of achieving any spiritual goodness on our own. Our primary obligation is to turn towards Christ, a task that we are unable to accomplish independently unless God regenerates us, bestows upon us a new heart, and actively influences our desires and actions.They were faced with a decisive choice between placing their trust in God and His wisdom or relying solely on their own knowledge. They possessed the capability to resist the temptation to eat from the tree. The cherubim and their subsequent expulsion served as a demonstration of their failure in the test. By consuming the fruit, they would have condemned themselves to eternal sin. As for whether they actually partook from the tree of life, I am uncertain, but it seems unlikely. Revelation suggests that the tree of life is a reward reserved for those who overcome. In my perspective, it is important not to excessively connect their trial with our redemption, as doing so would blur the biblical definition of a covenant. This interpretation aligns with John Calvin's teachings on covenants, which can be explored in his writings and further expounded upon by listening to John Murray's lectures on Calvin and the covenants on Sermonaudio.com. By the way, could you clarify what a "Calvin arm" refers to? These terms represent contrasting concepts.