I would appreciate your insights on the following:
1) What is the "original sin"? (first of all, is this a Biblical term or a man-created one? I think it is the latter, but I could be wrong...). And who committed this "original sin"? Is it Adam or Eve? See I Tim 2:13 and Rom. 5:12. Was sin introduced into the world through Adam or earlier through Eve?
2) Were both Adam and Eve created on Day 6 (Genesis 1) or Adam between Day 2 and Day 3 (as one might conclude on the face value of a reading of Gen. 2:4-7 and following)?
3) Why do we call it the Old Testament and New Testament - assuming Testament means covenant, does that mean there are are 2 separate covenants that are applicable, one in the days before Christ and one after? Another perspective is the question is "did people come to faith in God through another way in the OT compared to the NT?"
4) The question (a tricky one) raised by Rich last week was "Were Adam and Eve perfect?" - I think so personally if the definition of perfect means flawless - they did not have the taint of original sin that everyone is born with and before they sinned, they were perfect - at least this is my view - of course one may argue and I am sure the theologians do that only God is perfect - I believe that Adam and Eve were also - the only differentiation was they were not omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, etc and other such attributes that makes God God and man not God...
5) Is God alone fully sufficient to meet mankind's needs? Is Christ alone fully sufficient to meet our needs as humans - perhaps this is a tricky question too - but think of this, if this were so, whey did God feel that Adam needed a companion? And if the answer is yes, why were Adam and Eve not satisfied with paradise?
6) Are all humans born with sin? I think that the Bible teaches so (See Ps. 51:5 for instance)....does that mean a baby born at childbirth or an aborted child will not be able to enter heaven - my personal opinion is that babies will be in heaven (in fact, I believe that all children who die before what is called the age of accountability - which again I believe is a non-biblical term) - I have my reasons for believing so, but would be interested in hearing your views....
Thanks very much.
Anyway, this is just a quick list that I am hopeful would stimulate and challenge us to think about what we really believe and why we believe it.
David P.
Age of accountability
ReplyDelete• I wanted to elaborate on the age of accountability discussion we had and that David P raised.
• Even if an infant has not sinned they carry the sin of man. Which would condemn them.
• This may raise another question not addressed here. How could one be actually culpable for the behavior of another?
• Key question: Would you agree there is a point where a child becomes accountable?
• Thoughts - We have a developmental stage where we don't have the capability to understand. The ability to knowing right from wrong. Kids can have basic skills that enable them to understand right and wrong (5 year old), two year old not so sure and infant definitely not. It would seem to me that a child who can not understand or have comprehension of moral behavior can not be held accountable.
• Scriptural reference - Isaiah Chapter 7:14 – the verse before is actually describing virgin birth….the virgin shall give birth... the next verse says…He will eat curds and honey at the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good.
• Revelation 20:11 references the final white throne judgment. Where people are judged according to what they have done but does not mention the original sin. That seems to identify a difference or at least recognizes the difference between sin that someone has done and sin they have not (original sin of Adam). So does that leave room for judgment of that original sin and potential grace?
• We also introduced the question this week around salvation under the "old" covenant and I am wondering if any part of that salvation or means of that salvation might apply prior to the point where a child is culpable for their actions (they understand right and wrong and make the wrong decision).