Last class we looked at man in his perfect state. We now consider some of the most important chapters in all of Scripture for understanding ourselves. Both the Scripture passages and the readings are relatively heavy going this time, but they are full of the riches of the wisdom of God. So persevere!

Read Genesis chapter 3, at least three times. Then read Romans chapters 3 and 5, Ephesians 2:1-10, and 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, also at least 3 times.

Questions: Consider the following questions. Write a response to at least two based solely on your reading of Scriptures:

• Why did God make such a big deal of Adam and Eve's sin? Why didn't he just treat them the way we would treat a young child: "You disobeyed me. That was very wrong. Here is your punishment. Now, I love you and forgive you, but you must obey me in the future."
• Was Adam able to live a sinless life? Are you able to live a sinless life? If you answer "Yes" and "No" to these two questions, explain why your situation differs from Adam's.
• How did the fall change us and the world around us? What impact does the fall have on the world today?
• Why is there a link in Romans and Ephesians between the ideas of our being dead in sin and God providing a way of salvation apart from law?

Readings: Now read the following:

• John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II Chapter 1, "THROUGH THE FALL AND REVOLT OF ADAM, THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE MADE ACCURSED AND DEGENERATE. OF ORIGINAL SIN."

• Two sermons by John Wesley: "On the Fall of Man," and "Original Sin."

• "Sin," from Jonathan Edwards: A Mini-Theology, by John Gerstner.

• Finally, a contemporary sermon that is a bit easier to handle: "The Emergence of Sin and Misery" by John Piper.

Reconsider the questions raised above, and revise your statements if necessary. Also, do you discern a difference between Wesley and the other authors?

Enjoy!

This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Thomas C. Pinckney, tpinckney@williams.edu, c/o Community Bible Church, Harrison Ave, Williamstown, MA 01267.