The Fall
http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=4541&view=post&articleid=44091&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir
Up until the Fall, humanity drew their support and substance directly from God, in perfect relation, and when they fell it was all gone.
Up until the Fall, humanity drew their support and substance directly from God, in perfect relation, and when they fell it was all gone.
Paul reaffirms that all of human kind is separated from God due to the act of sin, by the first created humans; Adam & Eve. Thus we are all under the curse, or "guilt" of sin and are incapable of rejoining God in our once perfect state on our own (vs. 1:18-19; 3:9; 19; 5:12-17; 21; Gen 3; Acts 17:26; I Cor. 15:22). God's judgment and wrath are now with us. So, this is not fair, right? Adam and Eve represented all of humanity, the decisions they made, you and I would have made too! Thus we are all to blame! We as humans have a perversity to go our own way, which is the wrong way paved with undeserving pride and arrogance!
So, was it fair for one Man/God who was guiltless to pay our penalty that He did not deserve? Not fair indeed (vs. 5:15-19; 8:29-30; 9:22-26)! God gave Adam and Eve true happiness and perfection, with only one rule, "do not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge.."(Gen 2:17). Adam and Eve had to decide who makes the rules and determine what is good or bad, so they sought themselves over God, to be their own god. They also decided to be swayed and mislead, when they already had the correct knowledge; first by Satan, then by each other (Gen 3; II Cor. 11:3; 14; Rev. 12:9). Thus, the selfish, self-centered mindset entered humanity and sin was birthed. Sin then corrupted everything, people, animals, the Earth, and all of creation (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:9-20). As a result we inherited the guilt and shame of being apart from our Creator, and either we try to seek Him in vain attempts, or push our self-interests to the exclusion of God and His glory. God was not without mercy, for His first act was to cover them with garments! And then promise a Savior!
© 1992, 2001 R.J. Krejcir, Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, www.churchleadership.org/
http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=4541&url=10&view=post&articleid=44056&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Is Calvinism Biblical or just crazy man made doctrine? What most people and pastors do not realize is this is plainly taught in Scripture and even Arminius taught this. The Catholic Church and all Christian denominations have this as their core theology, because this is what Scripture clearly teaches.
http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=4541&url=10&view=post&articleid=44055&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
This is the cornerstone of protestant theology that Christ through His work gave us a 'pardon'. And the rallying cry of the Reformation. The main point that caused Luther and Calvin to challenge the Catholic Church and it's teachings.
http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=4541&url=10&view=post&articleid=44054&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Why do we fear Holiness and conviction? Most secular people, and even some Christians, perceive Holiness in the wrong way. They see it as a set of rules and judgments, not the majesty and awe of God.
