Original sin/substitutianary atonement defined
September 19th, 2006
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned - 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 until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
Categories: Calvinism vs Arminianism |
Brad,
I was reading over this the other day and the following part of the verse stuck out at me:
doesn’t that imply that the sin of Adam was not physically connected with the rest of humanity? I mean if likeness of the sin of Adam (sinning against a direct command) is different from what damns those in between Adam and Moses, isn’t the context shifting from original sin/total depravity to something that is voluntary?
Sin entered into this world thru Adam and was atoned thru Christ.
Furthermore, if sin is passed down thru heredity with Adam, and the same operation is in effect from what killed us to what saves us, then shouldn’t only those who are son’s of Christ, physically, be those that are saved? It works better if you view it in light of voluntary action. If all do the voluntary sinning like Adam, they can voluntarily join in with Christ.
I don’t think your implication is in the part of the verse you cite. You are correct in saying that the sinning not in the likeness of Adam is not sinning against a direct command, for the Law was not in place. So, I don’t see how the context is shifting because Adam’s sin was a voluntary transgression against a direct command. The guilt of sin has to be something other than voluntarily sinning against God. Otherwise, from Adam to Moses death reigned because all violated the law of God written on their consciences and heart. I really just don’t see how the context makes this shift; may be you could expound on this more.
One text that is helpful to understand Romans 5:12-21 is 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 where Paul writes,
This text sets up Christ and Adam as the heads of two humanities. Adam the natural humanity born here on earth. Christ is the new humanity that is united to him by regeneration and new birth and faith in his finished work on the cross. To be a member of Adam’s humanity is to die, every one who is in the humanity of Adam. To be in Christ’s new humanity is to be made alive at the resurrection. Membership to both humanities is by birth: Adam’s by physical birth; Christ’s by spiritual regeneration and new birth. That is the way I see this text and Romans 5:12ff. If there is another way to be united to Adam other than birth, please explain it. I would be delighted to read it.