Theology Thursday
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
I think today’s topic is one of the more controversial/strange theological realities, at least to modern eyes and ears. It’s the idea of corporate or federal responsibility. In the age of individual expressionism, we find it problematic that a choice by two people so long ago could be so connected to our lives now. And yet, there are ways to see how it works.
For instance, when a King or a parliament decides to go to war, each citizen doesn’t get a choice but follow the fortune of their leaders. In most cases, when a parent must move for work, the family must go with them.
Adam chose rebellion against God. Regardless of his intention or understanding of the significance of his actions, he began a rebellion against God that all posterity (his children) would be born and bred into.
Now all humans are born in sin. With what has been called, original sin. That is to say (and a little different to our examples), it’s now in our blood. Perhaps HIV would be the best analogy. We are born rebelling against God as our new nature.
But the good news is, this works both ways. Because of one man’s sin, we are born into sin. But because of one man’s obedience, we can also be saved. Romans 5 details how those who trust in Christ receive His righteousness. He is the cure for sin, and all who have received Him, receive His cure.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Genesis 2:16-17, James 2:10, Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:22
A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
I think today’s topic is one of the more controversial/strange theological realities, at least to modern eyes and ears. It’s the idea of corporate or federal responsibility. In the age of individual expressionism, we find it problematic that a choice by two people so long ago could be so connected to our lives now. And yet, there are ways to see how it works.
For instance, when a King or a parliament decides to go to war, each citizen doesn’t get a choice but follow the fortune of their leaders. In most cases, when a parent must move for work, the family must go with them.
Adam chose rebellion against God. Regardless of his intention or understanding of the significance of his actions, he began a rebellion against God that all posterity (his children) would be born and bred into.
Now all humans are born in sin. With what has been called, original sin. That is to say (and a little different to our examples), it’s now in our blood. Perhaps HIV would be the best analogy. We are born rebelling against God as our new nature.
But the good news is, this works both ways. Because of one man’s sin, we are born into sin. But because of one man’s obedience, we can also be saved. Romans 5 details how those who trust in Christ receive His righteousness. He is the cure for sin, and all who have received Him, receive His cure.
For Today:
- Do you believe in original sin? Why/why not?
- Do you see signs that you were born into rebellion/a fallen state?
- What caused you to change sides?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for mercy to rebellious children.
- Give thanks for the King, Jesus Christ who is our righteousness
- Ask God to help you and others see Jesus as King and follow Him.
Passages: Genesis 2:16-17, James 2:10, Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:22
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