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'Betcha' two trees reference awakens a slumbering,
lurking giant (Jonathan). C'mon Jonathan, jump in on this one. I'd love to hear
from the Billster on this also.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: July 19, 2004 15:15
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk]
Et al
Not to change the subject
(we always say that when, in fact, we intend to do just that) BUT I am
thinking about this whole business regarding Adam (blame Kruger for
this)
We pretty much believe that Adam was created one person and,
after "the fall," became like all those who would come after him.
Oh my little grasshoppers -- not so fast.
I am not sure
where I am going with this but here goes:
The fact that the
"Tree of Life" was in the garden indicates to me that Adam was created a
mortal being. The fact that the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and
Evil" was in the garden is an indication that he already had a nature that was
given to sinning -- it just hadn't happened yet. I would
argue that he was selfish, conceited, lazy, etc before "the fall."
But where there is no law, there is no definition for sin
--- especially character flaws.
Ro 5:12 makes
it clear that we share not only in Adam's death, but that we own a share of
personal responsibility ("......and death passed upon all men because all have
sinned.")
Perhaps the point of the Cross beginning with Adam is
this: humans were never going to be able to inherit the kingdom of
Heaven apart from the process of reconciliation. It is not
that Adam "blew it" for the rest of us. Rather (perhaps) it
is that from the beginning, the created being (mankind) was going to need
provision from the creator in order to live again in a dimension we call
"eternity."
The scriptures do teach that flesh and blood
will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. So, the creation process
always included the Cross. We - Adam included _ have always fallen
short of the glory of God and only in Christ is this solved -- no
not "solved" but brought to fulfillment. We -- Adam included
-- were never the full stature of Christ apart from His
indwelling.
John
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