The Cosmic Impact of the Fall 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 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 events underscore 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 under different terminologies. The Bible provides a clear explanation for this universality: it is rooted in the sin of Adam, which has been transmitted to all his descendants. This transmission is not merely through imitation but is inherent in human nature, a condition we are born into. The Bible uses various terms to describe sin, emphasizing its moral and ethical dimensions, its absolute nature, and its deep-seated presence in the human heart.

Two main theories attempt to explain how Adam's sin affects his posterity: the Realistic theory, which posits that all humanity was present in Adam and thus sinned with him, and the Federal Headship theory, which views Adam as the representative of humanity, whose actions have consequences for all. Both theories highlight the biblical teaching of original sin, which includes both original guilt and original pollution. This doctrine asserts that we inherit not only a sinful nature but also the guilt of Adam's transgression.

The Apostle Paul, particularly in Romans 5, provides a theological framework for understanding this doctrine. He draws a parallel between the imputation of Adam's sin to humanity and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers. Just as Adam's sin brought death to all, Christ's obedience brings life to many. This profound truth magnifies the grace of God, who, through Christ, offers redemption and justification to all who believe.

Key Takeaways:

1. The fall of man introduced a cosmic curse affecting all creation, highlighting the pervasive impact of sin that extends beyond personal guilt to the very fabric of the world. This underscores the need for redemption not just of individuals but of the entire creation. [04:29]

2. Sin is universal, affecting every human being, and is deeply rooted in our nature. It is not merely a series of actions but a condition that influences our entire being, emphasizing the need for a Savior who can address the root of our sinfulness. [09:20]

3. The Bible describes sin using various terms, each highlighting different aspects of its nature, such as rebellion, guilt, and perversion. Understanding these dimensions helps us grasp the seriousness of sin and the depth of our need for God's grace. [12:19]

4. The doctrine of original sin includes both original guilt and original pollution, teaching that we inherit both a sinful nature and the guilt of Adam's transgression. This challenges modern sensibilities but is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of salvation. [35:04]

5. The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 illustrates the profound grace of God. Just as Adam's sin was imputed to all, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering a powerful picture of redemption and the transformative power of the gospel. [39:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Fall of Man
- [00:46] - Immediate Consequences of the Fall
- [01:52] - Consequences for Women and the Earth
- [03:09] - The Curse on Creation
- [04:47] - The Universality of Sin
- [06:07] - Explaining the Universality of Sin
- [07:16] - Biblical Assertions of Sin's Universality
- [09:02] - Sin's Impact on Human Nature
- [10:17] - Defining Sin Biblically
- [12:19] - Sin as Rebellion and Guilt
- [14:07] - Sin's Absolute Character
- [15:14] - Sin's Relation to God
- [16:37] - Sin as a Condition, Not Just Actions
- [18:04] - Original Sin: Guilt and Pollution
- [19:13] - Theories of Sin's Transmission
- [21:15] - Realistic Theory of Sin
- [26:44] - Federal Headship Theory
- [31:41] - Understanding Original Sin
- [35:04] - Original Guilt and Pollution
- [38:19] - Romans 5: Adam and Christ
- [41:38] - Conclusion and Reflection on Grace

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:14-19 - The immediate consequences of the fall, including the curse on the serpent, increased sorrow in childbirth, and the cursing of the ground.
2. Romans 5:12-19 - The Apostle Paul's theological framework for understanding the doctrine of original sin and the parallel between Adam and Christ.
3. Isaiah 53:6 - Acknowledgment of the universality of sin: "All we like sheep have gone astray."

#### 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 explain the transmission of sin from Adam to all humanity? [36:37]
3. How does Isaiah 53:6 describe the universality of sin, and what imagery is used to convey this message? [07:32]
4. What are the two main theories discussed in the sermon that attempt to explain how Adam's sin affects his descendants? [20:57]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the curse on creation in Genesis 3 reflect the pervasive impact of sin on the world? What does this suggest about the need for redemption? [04:29]
2. In Romans 5, Paul draws a parallel between Adam and Christ. How does this comparison highlight the grace of God in offering redemption through Christ? [39:33]
3. The sermon discusses various terms used in the Bible to describe sin. How do these terms help us understand the seriousness and depth of sin? [12:19]
4. What are the implications of the doctrine of original sin, including both original guilt and original pollution, for our understanding of human nature and salvation? [35:04]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the pervasive impact of sin in your own life and the world around you. How does this awareness shape your understanding of the need for redemption? [04:29]
2. Consider the universality of sin as described in the sermon. How does this influence your view of humanity and your interactions with others? [09:20]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of understanding sin's moral and ethical dimensions. How can this understanding guide your daily decisions and actions? [12:19]
4. How does the parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 inspire you to embrace the transformative power of the gospel in your life? [39:33]
5. The doctrine of original sin challenges modern sensibilities. How can you reconcile this doctrine with contemporary views on human nature and morality? [35:04]
6. In what ways can you actively seek to address the root of sinfulness in your life, rather than just the symptoms? [16:37]
7. How can the grace of God, as demonstrated through Christ's righteousness, motivate you to live a life of faith and obedience? [39:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cosmic Impact of Sin
The fall of man introduced a cosmic curse affecting all creation, highlighting the pervasive impact of sin that extends beyond personal guilt to the very fabric of the world. This underscores the need for redemption not just of individuals but of the entire creation. The curse 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 events underscore the pervasive impact of sin, which has marred the world and human experience. The need for redemption is not limited to personal salvation but extends to the restoration of all creation. [04:29]

"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: Consider an aspect of creation that you see suffering or in decay. How can you pray for and participate in its redemption today?


Day 2: The Universality of Sin
Sin is universal, affecting every human being, and is deeply rooted in our nature. It is not merely a series of actions but a condition that influences our entire being, emphasizing the need for a Savior who can address the root of our sinfulness. The Bible provides a clear explanation for this universality: it is rooted in the sin of Adam, which has been transmitted to all his descendants. This transmission is not merely through imitation but is inherent in human nature, a condition we are born into. [09:20]

"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: Identify a habitual sin in your life. What steps can you take today to seek God's help in overcoming it?


Day 3: The Depth of Sin's Nature
The Bible describes sin using various terms, each highlighting different aspects of its nature, such as rebellion, guilt, and perversion. Understanding these dimensions helps us grasp the seriousness of sin and the depth of our need for God's grace. Sin is not just a series of wrong actions but a deep-seated condition that affects our relationship with God and others. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of sin can lead us to a deeper appreciation of the grace offered through Christ. [12:19]

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What aspect of sin might have contributed to that distance, and how can you seek reconciliation today?


Day 4: The Doctrine of Original Sin
The doctrine of original sin includes both original guilt and original pollution, teaching that we inherit both a sinful nature and the guilt of Adam's transgression. This challenges modern sensibilities but is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of salvation. Theories such as the Realistic theory and the Federal Headship theory attempt to explain how Adam's sin affects his posterity. Both theories highlight the biblical teaching of original sin, which includes both original guilt and original pollution. [35:04]

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

Reflection: How does understanding original sin change your perspective on your need for a Savior? What steps can you take to embrace this truth in your daily walk with God?


Day 5: The Parallel of Adam and Christ
The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 illustrates the profound grace of God. Just as Adam's sin was imputed to all, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering a powerful picture of redemption and the transformative power of the gospel. This profound truth magnifies the grace of God, who, through Christ, offers redemption and justification to all who believe. The imputation of Christ's righteousness is a gift that transforms our standing before God and empowers us to live a new life. [39:33]

"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: Reflect on the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to you. How can you live out this righteousness in a specific area of your life today?

Quotes


The fall of men, the first sin, and we went on to trace some of the immediate consequences, some of the things that happened at once in the case of Adam and Eve. But we didn't quite finish our consideration of these consequences. Yeah, there were certain other consequences that followed immediately. [00:39:57]

The curse that was pronounced upon the serpent, you find that in the 14th verse of the third chapter of Genesis. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, because thou Hast done this Thou Art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field. [00:65:12]

The ground was cursed. You find that you remember in verses 17 and 18 cursed is the ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. [00:163:80]

The curse that follows the fall of men has affected creation, and creation is not today as it was at the beginning nor as it will be again when evil and sin are removed out of the world. Very well, those were the immediate consequences of the fall of men. [00:259:76]

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. [00:439:72]

The Bible teaches clearly that sin is a special kind of evil. Now you can have evil which in a sense isn't sin. I mean by that that evil can be something general, something physical perhaps, calamities and things like that. Now that's a manifestation of evil but not a necessity of sin. [00:625:92]

Sin is moral or ethical evil, not evil in general but a particular kind of evil, ethical evil, moral evil. And 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. [00:647:63]

The Bible always stresses about sin is that it is always something that is directly related to God and His will and his law. 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. [00:901:51]

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. [00:1000:36]

The Bible always includes in its descriptions and definitions of sin, guilt and pollution. That's 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. [00:1081:20]

The doctrine of original sin includes both original guilt and original pollution, teaching that we inherit both a sinful nature and the guilt of Adam's transgression. This challenges modern sensibilities but is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of salvation. [00:2044:84]

The parallel between Adam and Christ in Romans 5 illustrates the profound grace of God. Just as Adam's sin was imputed to all, Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, offering a powerful picture of redemption and the transformative power of the gospel. [00:2296:80]

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Transcript
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