As we roll back the scroll and begin our annual reading of the Torah, we begin with Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 6:8. In this post I want to focus on chapter 1 of Genesis. It is in this chapter, of course, where we read about the days of Creation. As Christians we all believe that the overall point of the chapter is to specify that God is the Creator, the One Who spoke all things into existence. However, from this point forward Christians are greatly divided in how chapter 1 is to be read. There are those who take the six days of Creation literally and there are those who believe that chapter 1 is to be read symbolically. Those in this second camp are willing to accept that God is indeed Creator, but that He used long periods of time in his Creation. In other words, they believe that the Hebrew word for "day," which is yom, doesn't have to mean a 24 hour period of time.
Let's examine what we have. Creation through the process of long periods of time seems to be consistent with what we normally hear regarding the fossil record. There are examples of trilobites, dinosaurs, and other living creatures, that in death, ended up by leaving an imprint of their body shapes. Consistent with various dating methods these creatures lived perhaps millions of years ago, long before mankind. Many Christians today stand on this view because this is supposedly science.
However, it is first important to remember that evolution is a theory and not scientific fact. In order for something to be science it must be observable. No one was around during the days of Creation to testify as to how Creation occurred. Therefore, neither a literal six day Creation or evolution (theistic or otherwise) can be considered science. Also, even though the majority of scientists lean towards evolutionary thinking, there are scientists who are in the literal six day camp. (See In Six Days: Why Fifty Scientists Choose to Believe in Creation edited by John F. Ashton, PhD. Master Books, Green Forest, AR. 2000)
But rather than getting into a discussion of the pros and cons of each position, there is one simple fact that Christians who believe in long periods of Creation must consider. When did death enter into Creation? According to Genesis 2:17, death entered into Creation when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
This is corroborated in Romans 5:12 and 17.
Romans 5:12, 17 (KJV)
12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
17
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
In this passage of Romans Paul was making an analogy between Adam and Yeshua. He pointed out that just as sin and death entered the world by one man (Adam), grace and eternal life entered by one man (Yeshua). In order for this analogy to "work," death could not have been a part of life prior to Adam's sin. If it was, then Paul's analogy falls apart and Yeshua then is not reliably the only way to eternal life!
Evolution and long periods of Creation require death! The fossil record, as how it is normally interpreted, reveals countless numbers of creatures dying long before Adam. This is NOT what Scripture says! As Christians are we going to stand on a pseudo-science that contradicts Romans 5? Or are we going to believe that the God who supernaturally raised Yeshua from the grave was able to supernaturally speak forth a mature Creation? Is it that difficult to believe that the evolutionists have interpreted the fossil record incorrectly?
One last thing to consider is that my statement about there not being a witness to Creation was not totally accurate. There actually was a witness to Creation. That witness was God and the record that He left tells us about a literal six day Creation. Why would any believer want to believe a pseudo-science over the Creator of the Universe?
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death. Show all posts
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Romans 5:18-21 - Yeshua and Adam Part 4
Previous:
Paul had explained how one man, Adam, sinned and brought death into the world. He then connected and finished his thought of verse 12 with verses 18-21.
Romans 5:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The new material:
Romans 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The first part of verse 18 is a repetition of verse 12. By the sin of Adam, the judgment of death came upon all mankind. The last part of verse 18 gives the comparison. In the same way, by the righteousness of Yeshua, the free gift of justification comes upon all mankind. Paul was describing how one man acted and how many received from the action without doing anything to deserve what was received. In other words, when Adam sinned, death came to all his descendants even though they had not done anything to deserve that punishment. (Remember, this is not saying that man does not suffer because of his own sin, but that the death penalty comes upon man before any sin is ever committed. The punishment is undeserved.) The same is true of Yeshua. By His righteousness, the gift of justification is available to all men even though they have done nothing to deserve it.
By Adam's disobedience many were made sinners (through the estrangement between God and man) (verse 19). In the same way, by Yeshua's obedience many shall be made righteous.
In verse 20, Paul reminded his readers that with the Torah, sin abounded. The amount of sinning was not more, but rather, the understanding of sin increased with the Torah, and man knew, not only by conscience but by Law, that he was committing sin. The accountability or guilt of sin increased. How much more, then, did grace abound by Yeshua's obedience? With the increased accountability for sin, God's gift of grace also expanded.
Sin reigns until man's death (verse 21). By contrast, grace reigns through righteousness unto eternity by Yeshua, the Messiah, our Lord!
Next:
Paul had explained how one man, Adam, sinned and brought death into the world. He then connected and finished his thought of verse 12 with verses 18-21.
Romans 5:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The new material:
Romans 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The first part of verse 18 is a repetition of verse 12. By the sin of Adam, the judgment of death came upon all mankind. The last part of verse 18 gives the comparison. In the same way, by the righteousness of Yeshua, the free gift of justification comes upon all mankind. Paul was describing how one man acted and how many received from the action without doing anything to deserve what was received. In other words, when Adam sinned, death came to all his descendants even though they had not done anything to deserve that punishment. (Remember, this is not saying that man does not suffer because of his own sin, but that the death penalty comes upon man before any sin is ever committed. The punishment is undeserved.) The same is true of Yeshua. By His righteousness, the gift of justification is available to all men even though they have done nothing to deserve it.
By Adam's disobedience many were made sinners (through the estrangement between God and man) (verse 19). In the same way, by Yeshua's obedience many shall be made righteous.
In verse 20, Paul reminded his readers that with the Torah, sin abounded. The amount of sinning was not more, but rather, the understanding of sin increased with the Torah, and man knew, not only by conscience but by Law, that he was committing sin. The accountability or guilt of sin increased. How much more, then, did grace abound by Yeshua's obedience? With the increased accountability for sin, God's gift of grace also expanded.
Sin reigns until man's death (verse 21). By contrast, grace reigns through righteousness unto eternity by Yeshua, the Messiah, our Lord!
Next:
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Romans 5:15-17 - Yeshua and Adam Part 3
Previous:
Paul had begun using Adam as a comparison and contrast to Messiah Yeshua. His points so far have been:
1. Through one man (Adam) sin and death entered the world.
2. Man has inherited death as a consequence of Adam's sin.
3. Man does not inherit the guilt or accountability of Adam's sin.
4. While Adam brought sin and death, Yeshua brings the cure.
Romans 5:15-17 (KJV)
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
This section of Scripture is still a part of the parenthetical comment Paul was making, in explaining how death came upon the human race through Adam.
In verse 15 Paul stated that there was a contrast between Adam's sin (the offence) and Yeshua's gift of righteousness. For if through the sin of Adam many die, how much more, through the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the gift of righteousness abounds unto many? The grace given would far outweigh the sentence of death.
Paul further stated that Adam's sin led to condemnation whereas Yeshua's gift of righteousness leads to justification (verse 16). Nor does Yeshua's gift cover only Adam's sin, but all the sins of the entire world.
Finally, in verse 17, Paul contrasted the reign of death that Adam's sin brought to man, to those who by abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, brought by Yeshua, shall reign in life. Not only did Yeshua defeat death, but He brings abundant life to those who believe in Him.
Although there are similarities between Yeshua and Adam, the work of Yeshua far exceeds Adam's!
Next:
Paul had begun using Adam as a comparison and contrast to Messiah Yeshua. His points so far have been:
1. Through one man (Adam) sin and death entered the world.
2. Man has inherited death as a consequence of Adam's sin.
3. Man does not inherit the guilt or accountability of Adam's sin.
4. While Adam brought sin and death, Yeshua brings the cure.
Romans 5:15-17 (KJV)
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
This section of Scripture is still a part of the parenthetical comment Paul was making, in explaining how death came upon the human race through Adam.
In verse 15 Paul stated that there was a contrast between Adam's sin (the offence) and Yeshua's gift of righteousness. For if through the sin of Adam many die, how much more, through the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the gift of righteousness abounds unto many? The grace given would far outweigh the sentence of death.
Paul further stated that Adam's sin led to condemnation whereas Yeshua's gift of righteousness leads to justification (verse 16). Nor does Yeshua's gift cover only Adam's sin, but all the sins of the entire world.
Finally, in verse 17, Paul contrasted the reign of death that Adam's sin brought to man, to those who by abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, brought by Yeshua, shall reign in life. Not only did Yeshua defeat death, but He brings abundant life to those who believe in Him.
Although there are similarities between Yeshua and Adam, the work of Yeshua far exceeds Adam's!
Next:
Monday, September 30, 2013
Romans 5:13-14 - Yeshua and Adam Part 2
Previous:
Paul began his comparison of Yeshua and Adam in verse 12.
Romans 5:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When Adam disobeyed the Word of God by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered into the world. With sin came death for all mankind. The last phrase of the verse says, "for that all have sinned."
Paul then continued.
Romans 5:13-14 (KJV)
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Verses 13 through 17 in Romans form a parenthetical note that ties into verse 12 and helps in the understanding of the last phrase in verse 12. We will cover only verses 13 and 14 today.
Between the time of creation and the giving of the Torah to Moses and the people of Israel, sin was committed (verse 13). But since there was no law, sin could not be imputed to the sinner's account. This statement of Paul seems to contradict the case that he had outlined in the first chapters of Romans, where he had made an important argument about the guilt that all man had regarding sin. Did Romans 5:13 excuse those before the Torah? Obviously not, when we consider God's destruction of the world in the days of the Flood or of Sodom and Gomorrah, because of the wickedness of mankind. So, Paul was not saying that an individual who committed sin during this time was not punished or was not guilty of sin. He or she was subject only to the light of their consciences, not a specific law that demanded the death penalty.
Paul then said that in spite of sin not being imputed to sinners before the Torah, death reigned from Adam to Moses, (verse 14). Therefore, death, as something that comes to all humans, could not have come to those between Adam and Moses because of their own individual sin. Other examples of those who had not sinned in the similitude (or manner) of Adam, besides Paul's example, are unborn babies, or newborns, who have not committed any sin. They still die. Therefore, death resulted to the human race because of something else. Death had to have come only because of Adam's sin.
But this raises an issue since being penalized for someone else's sin runs counter to the principles in God's Word.
Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV)
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Deuteronomy 24:16 (KJV)
16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Therefore, it is not possible that we are held accountable for Adam's sin. We don't inherit his guilt. This is the point Paul was trying to make. It is only a consequence of Adam's sin.
Finally, Paul introduced the main goal of this section of Scripture, to compare and contrast Adam with "the figure of him that was to come," meaning Yeshua. Stay tuned for next time.
Next:
Paul began his comparison of Yeshua and Adam in verse 12.
Romans 5:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When Adam disobeyed the Word of God by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered into the world. With sin came death for all mankind. The last phrase of the verse says, "for that all have sinned."
Paul then continued.
Romans 5:13-14 (KJV)
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Verses 13 through 17 in Romans form a parenthetical note that ties into verse 12 and helps in the understanding of the last phrase in verse 12. We will cover only verses 13 and 14 today.
Between the time of creation and the giving of the Torah to Moses and the people of Israel, sin was committed (verse 13). But since there was no law, sin could not be imputed to the sinner's account. This statement of Paul seems to contradict the case that he had outlined in the first chapters of Romans, where he had made an important argument about the guilt that all man had regarding sin. Did Romans 5:13 excuse those before the Torah? Obviously not, when we consider God's destruction of the world in the days of the Flood or of Sodom and Gomorrah, because of the wickedness of mankind. So, Paul was not saying that an individual who committed sin during this time was not punished or was not guilty of sin. He or she was subject only to the light of their consciences, not a specific law that demanded the death penalty.
Paul then said that in spite of sin not being imputed to sinners before the Torah, death reigned from Adam to Moses, (verse 14). Therefore, death, as something that comes to all humans, could not have come to those between Adam and Moses because of their own individual sin. Other examples of those who had not sinned in the similitude (or manner) of Adam, besides Paul's example, are unborn babies, or newborns, who have not committed any sin. They still die. Therefore, death resulted to the human race because of something else. Death had to have come only because of Adam's sin.
But this raises an issue since being penalized for someone else's sin runs counter to the principles in God's Word.
Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV)
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Deuteronomy 24:16 (KJV)
16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Therefore, it is not possible that we are held accountable for Adam's sin. We don't inherit his guilt. This is the point Paul was trying to make. It is only a consequence of Adam's sin.
Finally, Paul introduced the main goal of this section of Scripture, to compare and contrast Adam with "the figure of him that was to come," meaning Yeshua. Stay tuned for next time.
Next:
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