The Cosmic Impact of Original Sin and Redemption

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the fall of man, we delved into the profound transformation that occurred from the state of man as created in God's image to the fallen state described in Genesis 3. The immediate consequences of this fall were not only personal but cosmic, affecting all of creation. The curse pronounced upon the serpent, the increased sorrow in childbirth for women, and the cursing of the ground are all direct results of this original sin. These consequences highlight the pervasive impact of sin, which has marred the world and human experience.

We then turned our attention to the universality of sin, a concept acknowledged by both believers and non-believers, though often explained differently. The Bible asserts that sin is a universal condition affecting all of humanity, a truth echoed throughout Scripture. This universality is not merely about actions but a condition of the heart, a state of being that leads to sinful habits and actions. Sin is defined as moral and ethical evil, a deviation from God's law, and a rebellion against His authority.

The doctrine of original sin explains how this condition has been inherited from Adam. Two main theories attempt to explain this transmission: the Realistic theory, which posits that all of humanity was present in Adam, and the Federal Headship theory, which views Adam as the representative of the human race. Both theories underscore the biblical teaching that sin and its consequences are inherited from Adam, affecting all his descendants.

Original sin comprises two aspects: original guilt and original pollution. While some accept the idea of inherited pollution, they reject the notion of inherited guilt. However, Scripture, particularly Romans 5, clearly teaches that we are guilty of Adam's sin, just as we are justified by Christ's righteousness. This parallel between Adam and Christ is crucial for understanding the grace of God in salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The fall of man introduced a cosmic curse affecting all creation, highlighting the pervasive impact of sin. This curse is evident in the increased toil and sorrow experienced by humanity and the natural world, reminding us of the need for redemption and restoration. [03:09]

- Sin is a universal condition, not merely a series of actions. It is a state of being that affects every part of human nature, leading to sinful habits and actions. Understanding sin as a condition helps us grasp the depth of our need for salvation. [09:56]

- The Bible defines sin as moral and ethical evil, a rebellion against God's authority. It is not just the absence of good but a positive transgression of God's law, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. [12:19]

- Original sin includes both guilt and pollution, inherited from Adam. This doctrine underscores the biblical teaching that we are born in a state of sin, needing God's grace for redemption. [34:20]

- The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 highlights the grace of God in salvation. Just as Adam's sin is imputed to us, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering hope and assurance of salvation. [39:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Fall of Man
- [00:46] - Immediate Consequences of the Fall
- [01:52] - Curse on the Woman and the Ground
- [03:09] - Cosmic Impact of Sin
- [04:47] - Universality of Sin
- [06:07] - Explaining the Universality of Sin
- [07:16] - Biblical Assertions of Sin's Universality
- [09:02] - Nature and Character of Sin
- [10:17] - Definitions and Terms for Sin
- [12:19] - Sin as Rebellion and Guilt
- [14:04] - Absolute Nature of Sin
- [15:11] - Sin's Relation to God
- [16:03] - Sin as a Condition
- [18:01] - Original Sin: Guilt and Pollution
- [19:31] - Theories of Original Sin Transmission
- [29:04] - Federal Headship and Representation
- [36:25] - Romans 5 and Original Guilt
- [42:35] - Conclusion and Reflection on Grace

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:14-19
2. Romans 5:12-19
3. Isaiah 53:6

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#### Observation Questions
1. What were the immediate consequences of the fall of man as described in Genesis 3? How did these consequences affect both humanity and creation? [01:05]
2. According to Romans 5, how does the Apostle Paul describe the relationship between Adam's sin and the universality of sin? [36:25]
3. In Isaiah 53:6, what imagery is used to describe the universality of sin, and how does it relate to the sermon’s message about the condition of humanity? [07:32]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of original sin, as explained in the sermon, help us understand the pervasive nature of sin in our lives and the world? [31:41]
2. What is the significance of the parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5, and how does it highlight the grace of God in salvation? [39:16]
3. How does the sermon explain the difference between original guilt and original pollution, and why is it important to understand both aspects? [34:20]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the cosmic impact of sin as described in the sermon. How does this understanding affect your view of the world and your role in it? [03:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes that sin is a condition of the heart. What steps can you take to address this condition in your own life and seek transformation? [16:03]
3. Considering the biblical definition of sin as rebellion against God, how can you identify areas in your life where you might be resisting God's authority? [12:19]
4. The sermon discusses the inherited nature of sin. How does this influence your understanding of personal responsibility and the need for God's grace? [19:31]
5. Romans 5 presents a parallel between Adam's sin and Christ's righteousness. How can this understanding of imputed righteousness encourage you in your faith journey? [39:16]
6. How can the concept of original sin and its consequences motivate you to seek redemption and restoration in your personal life and community? [34:20]
7. Reflect on the universality of sin and its impact on human nature. How can this awareness shape your interactions with others and your approach to sharing the gospel? [09:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cosmic Consequences of Sin
The fall of man, as described in Genesis 3, brought about a profound transformation not only in humanity but also in the entire cosmos. The immediate consequences of this fall were both personal and cosmic, affecting all of creation. The curse pronounced upon the serpent, the increased sorrow in childbirth for women, and the cursing of the ground are all direct results of this original sin. These consequences highlight the pervasive impact of sin, which has marred the world and human experience. The increased toil and sorrow experienced by humanity and the natural world serve as a constant reminder of the need for redemption and restoration. [03:09]

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the effects of the fall in the world around you, and how can you actively participate in God's work of redemption and restoration today?


Day 2: Sin as a Universal Condition
Sin is not merely a series of actions but a universal condition that affects every part of human nature. This condition leads to sinful habits and actions, emphasizing the depth of our need for salvation. The Bible asserts that sin is a universal condition affecting all of humanity, a truth echoed throughout Scripture. Understanding sin as a condition helps us grasp the depth of our need for salvation. It is a state of being that leads to moral and ethical evil, a deviation from God's law, and a rebellion against His authority. [09:56]

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing sin as a condition rather than just actions change your perspective on your own need for salvation and the way you view others?


Day 3: The Seriousness of Sin
The Bible defines sin as moral and ethical evil, a rebellion against God's authority. It is not just the absence of good but a positive transgression of God's law, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. Sin is a deviation from God's law and a rebellion against His authority, highlighting the need for repentance and a return to God's ways. This understanding of sin underscores the importance of acknowledging our transgressions and seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. [12:19]

"Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4, ESV)

Reflection: What specific areas of your life do you need to bring before God in repentance, acknowledging them as rebellion against His authority?


Day 4: Inherited Guilt and Pollution
Original sin includes both guilt and pollution, inherited from Adam. This doctrine underscores the biblical teaching that we are born in a state of sin, needing God's grace for redemption. While some accept the idea of inherited pollution, they reject the notion of inherited guilt. However, Scripture, particularly Romans 5, clearly teaches that we are guilty of Adam's sin, just as we are justified by Christ's righteousness. This understanding of original sin highlights the depth of our need for God's grace and the transformative power of His redemption. [34:20]

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5, ESV)

Reflection: How does the concept of inherited guilt and pollution affect your understanding of your need for God's grace and the way you approach your relationship with Him?


Day 5: The Parallel Between Adam and Christ
The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 highlights the grace of God in salvation. Just as Adam's sin is imputed to us, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering hope and assurance of salvation. This parallel is crucial for understanding the grace of God in salvation, as it emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in our lives. By recognizing this parallel, we can find hope and assurance in the promise of salvation through Christ. [39:16]

"For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the parallel between Adam and Christ give you hope and assurance in your own journey of faith and salvation?

Quotes


The fall of men introduced a cosmic curse affecting all creation. The curse pronounced upon the serpent, the increased sorrow in childbirth for women, and the cursing of the ground are all direct results of this original sin. These consequences highlight the pervasive impact of sin, which has marred the world and human experience. [00:03:09]

Sin is a universal condition, not merely a series of actions. It is a state of being that affects every part of human nature, leading to sinful habits and actions. Understanding sin as a condition helps us grasp the depth of our need for salvation. [00:09:56]

The Bible defines sin as moral and ethical evil, a rebellion against God's authority. It is not just the absence of good but a positive transgression of God's law, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. [00:12:19]

Original sin includes both guilt and pollution, inherited from Adam. This doctrine underscores the biblical teaching that we are born in a state of sin, needing God's grace for redemption. [00:34:20]

The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 highlights the grace of God in salvation. Just as Adam's sin is imputed to us, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering hope and assurance of salvation. [00:39:16]

The Bible asserts this fact of the universality of sin everywhere right through in its teaching. I'll simply select certain well-known passages more or less at random in order to show you how it does so take the great statement in the 53rd of Isaiah and the 6th verse all we like sheep have gone astray all of us. [00:07:16]

Sin is moral or ethical evil, not evil in general but a particular kind of evil, ethical evil, moral evil. The Bible has quite a number of terms which it uses in order to describe sin. Here they are: it has a word for sin which means missing the mark or deviating from the right way. [00:10:17]

The Bible always defines sin in terms of our relationship to God. That is where the biblical concept of sin must be differentiated so sharply from moral ideas which don't derive from the Bible itself. God is always involved, and what makes sin sin is that it's a wrong relationship to God. [00:15:11]

Sin does not consist of actions only but essentially in a condition. Now there are those who have defined sin only in terms of actions and they have forgotten that it is a condition before it manifests itself in acts. In other words, it's a good way I think to think of it in this way. [00:16:03]

The Bible always includes in its descriptions and definitions of sin guilt and pollution. That pollution is the state again, the condition, but guilt is a part of sin and guilt is sinful in and of itself according to the scriptures. [00:18:01]

The doctrine of original sin explains how this condition has been inherited from Adam. Two main theories attempt to explain this transmission: the Realistic theory, which posits that all of humanity was present in Adam, and the Federal Headship theory, which views Adam as the representative of the human race. [00:29:04]

The Apostle is drawing a parallel and what he's saying is this: it's really a further exposition and explanation of what he's been saying in the first 10 verses of this great chapter. He is magnifying the grace of God in Christ. He's showing how we owe everything to Christ freely by his grace. [00:39:16]

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Transcript
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