Introducing the worldview of theism

Acts 17:23-27 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore whatyou worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determinedtheir appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."

Introduction: Understanding the significance of worldview discussions (i.e how you view the world and why?) 
Anytime we discuss matters worldview, we are in effect explaining how we view the world, and why we view it as such. Worldview discussions aim to answer major questions like: 

1). Where did we come from? 
2). Why are we here? 
3). How did the moral conditions of our world arise? and 
4). Where is our world heading? Such types of questions undergird practical everyday life. 

Whenever we talk to different types of people, it is very clear in our discussions with non-Christians, the approach to such issues as truth, morality, the nature of reality and art is driven by one's worldview. Christian Apologist Doug Powell's book "Holman Quick Source Guide to Christian Apologetics" lists eight different worldviews that describe every belief system on our planet. I'll briefly define each and then zero in on the last one - which is the focus of today's post:

1). Atheism = there is no God
2). Agnosticism = we can't know there is a God or not
3). Pantheism = everything, including the universe, is Divine
4). Panentheism = All the universe is contained in the Divine (as a soul in a body), and hence the Divine and the universe are indistinguishable
5). Finite Godism = The is a god, however He is limited either in power or in goodness
6). Polytheism = belief in many gods
7). Deism = God wound up the creation, like a clock, and then left it to run on its own.
8). Monotheism (or Theism) = belief in One Personal, Eternal, Immaterial, Creator God that created all things, sustains all things and interacts with his creatures. 

The final worldview in Powell's listing, "Monotheism", will remain the focal point of today's study. Monotheism ("mono" = "one" and "theism" meaning "God") will be from hereon described as "Theism", since in theological and philosophical discussion, to be a "theist" is in most cases refering to "monotheism" and vice-versa. 

Why "theism" in general, and "Christian theism" in particular are relevant to the Christian?
Today's post aims to understand what is meant when we talk about "Thiesm" and more specifically, "Christian Theism". The reason why this is so important for the Christian is due to the need to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers and to answer the objections raised by critics of Christianity - specifically the so-called "New Atheism". Christianity rests upon the New Testament's presentation and explanation of the arrival, ministry, death and ressurection of Jesus of Nazareth. New Testament passages such as John 1:14 and 1 Timothy 3:16 assert that Jesus is no less than the incarnation and revelation of the True and living God of the Old Testament. Christianity's focal point is Jesus Christ and He being truly God and truly man. Without consideration of Christian theism, the Old and New Testaments are rendered unintelligible and all that Jesus claimed to be and achieved cannot be grasped apart from this fundamental truth of Christian theism. 

Before we talk about Christian theism in particular, let's first define what we mean by "theism" in general. 

Defining Theism in general
The word "theism" derives from the Greek word translated "God", namely -"theos". Simply put - a "theist" is a person who asserts belief in God. It is interesting to note how much "theists" and "theism" are discussed among Christian and secular literature. Two examples will suffice to demonstrate this point and also to expand upon what is meant by the worldview of "theism". 

First, Christian Apologists Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino in their book: "Unshakable Foundations", page 60, offer the following explanation of general theism: "They (theists) believe in the existence of God and see His existence as an essential component of the theistic worldview. Theists are convinced that the universe had a supernatural First Cause who is infinitely powerful and intelligent. An infinite God is both beyond and manifests Himself in the universe. This God is a personal God, separate from the world, who created the universe and sustains it. Theists believe that God can act within the universe in a supernatural way." 

Secondly, The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Volume 8, page 97, offers a similar definition of theism to that of Geisler/Bocchino (mind you, the Encyclopedia was written 30 years prior to Geisler/Bocchino): "signifies belief in one God (theos) who is (a) personal, (b) worthy of adoration, (c) separate from the world but (d) continuously active in it."

If we were to summarize these two definitions of theism, we can say the following:

1). God is the Creator. Theists in the strictist theological and philosophical definition believe there is One God that by nature is an immaterial, all intelligent mind that is infinite in His abilities, perfectly good and the Creator of the universe.

2). God, the Creator, Eternally self-sufficient and thus distinguished from the universe, His creation. This One God necessarily exists - meaning that He is His own explanation for His own existence, is uncaused and exists with or without the universe. The universe, on the other hand, requires this One God for its existence and thus had a beginning. Hence, the God of Theism is to be distinguished from the universe.

3). The One Creator God, Eternally Self-Sufficient, guides all things by His Providence. This One God of Theism who is the infinite, personal Creator can and chooses to interract with the universe He made. This same God also sustains the universe and guides it to its intended end - to make visible and plain His infinite perfection (i.e His glory). All of these activities fit under what theologians call God's "providence". In other words, "providence" refers to God's "foresight" and exercise of His power in guiding all that He has made to His intended end. This practically expresses how the universe and life itself contains meaning and has purpose. 

4). One Creator God, Eternally self-sufficient and Providential, can also intevene and reveal Himself miraculously. Since this One God of Theism is the Creator who Providentially guides the universe and all of history to their intended end, we can add that this implies the possibility of the miraculous in the universe. A miracle is an infrequent act of God whereby He enhances or alters the known physical laws in a religiously significant context to make known His specific will and identity. 

Therefore we see "general theism" or "theism in general" predicated upon four key truths about God: 

1). Creator 
2). Eternal 
3). Providential 
4). Miraculously revealing.

Ingredients for Godly living

1 Corinthians 4:1 "Let a man regard us in this manner, asservants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."

Introduction:

We live our lives before men and before God. A Christian's speech will not be given audience until they first have demonstrated that they have actions to back up their claims. I can recall my dad working at a company among non-Christian people. Except on rare occassions, none of the other employees gave him the time of day until roughly 1 year into the experience. They knew he was a Christian - however so many other people making such claims had turned out to be poor examples. God in His grace had enabled my dad to gradually gain their respect, and in time they would seek him out for counsel and advice. Godly living is so crucial in a godless world. The Apostle Paul was attempting to convey to his readers the ingredients necessary for Godly living and ministry. Such ingredients were vital - since Paul aimed to be an example among a people who questioned his ministry and people who were trying to undermine what God was doing at the church of Corinth. Today's post aims to list out in short order five ingredients necessary for Godly living.

1. Servant's heart. 1 Corinthians 4:1

In this opening verse of 1 Corinthians 4:1, Paul tells his readers to regard he and his companions as "servants of Christ". The Greek word translated "servant" brings to mind an "under-rower". These slaves were in the bottoms of galley ships, chained  to the floors and were situated in rows of benches - rowing in unison to provide propulsion to the Roman ships. If the ship went down - so did they. A servant of Jesus Christ in this manner will serve Him no matter what. So to be Godly, we must have a servant's heart. Notice secondly...

2. Stewardship of faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 4:1

In this instance we are not speaking only of the handling of tithes and offerings (although such practices fit under the principle laid out in this text). On  broader level, we are speaking of how the godly person views their life relative to God. In Jesus Christ I am taken out of ownership and put into management. How well are you and I taking care of what God has given us? Godliness includes being a good steward of the sphere of influence He has given us. So to be Godly, we must have a servant's heart, be stewards, then thirdly...

3. Awareness of God. 1 Corinthians 4:2-4

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:2-4 "In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or byany human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord." The last phrase of verse 4 brings together everything we have said thus far - namely "the one who examines me is the Lord". To know that I am in God's presence and that He knows every thought I say, every word I speak changes (or at least should affect) how I live my life. Walking with God entails cultivating a continual awareness of Him. You and I may not consciously think of the oxygen we breath. However if the amount of it were to alter - we would notice! To know that He is the source of my strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and to know He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5) enables me to walk out the Godly life. So in Godly living, I aim to serve, be a good steward and cultiivate an awareness of His presence. Notice what else is needed for Godly living....

4. Eternal perspective. 1 Corinthians 4:5-6

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:5-6  "Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other." Why do we sometimes find ourselves wanting to get out of the saddle so-to-speak? One word - impatience. Like the little child who cannot see beyond their nose - Christians get impatient in their walks with God. We use this world as our reference point - rather than God. Henry Blackaby has often noted how the Christian life is to be radically oriented around God. As we seek first His Kingdom - all other things will be added in their proper order and time (see Matthew 6:33). 

Patience comes with proper perspective. An eternal perspective on things understands that the rate of circumstances is exactly the way God wants them. Focusing on the things above gives perspective as to how to live out among the things here below (see Colossians 3:1-3). So to be Godly, I need to serve, be a steward, be aware of God and have an eternal perspective. Now lets notice one final trait....

5. Dependance on God. 1 Corinthians 4:7

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" If we would see our selves as insufficient - and Christ as all sufficient - so would end our preoccupation with ourselves. Human autonomy is a lie, for only One is Autonomous, Self-sufficient and the source of His own being - God. Everything in our lives has been granted directly or indirectly by God. Godly living embraces this principle. 

Thus to realize that I own nothing is to have everything. To enjoy everything in life means that I own nothing. This is not a word-play - this is Gospel truth! Godly people find competiveness and comparison with other people to be a waste of time. God and God alone is their source. Would it be in my pursuit of Godliness that service to Him, stewardship, awareness of Him, eternal perspective and dependance upon Him be found in increasing measure.  

The practical areas over which Jesus Christ exercises His Lordship in Luke 6

Luke 6:46-48  - “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, thetorrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built."

Introduction:
Yesterday we ended our post on defining Christ's Lordship with how His authority transforms the hearts of those yielded to it. Certainly we may well begin with the attitude of obedience or an "I have to" approach to our Christian life.  However as we become more closely acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, He has a way of turning my "have-to's" into "want-to's". What begins as a duty of obedience becomes a delight of surrender. As you and I wave the white flag of surrender to Jesus Christ's Lordship, we are really waving the flag of victory in the Christian life. Today's post aims to understand certain matters that are touched upon by Christ's Lordship. Luke 6 both begins and ends with reference to Jesus Christ as Lord. Anyone who has ever had issue with Christ's rulership, their responsibility to Him and His right of Lordship has done so in at least one of the following areas mentioned in Luke 6. When we read about Jesus Christ's Lordship in Luke 6, we can note the following areas or matters touched by His Lordship...

1. Jesus is Lord of my rest. Luke 6:1-5
The Pharisees confronted Jesus and His disciples over their eating of some grain plucked from a field on the Sabbath day. In their dispute, they referenced their own traditions in indicting Jesus' disciples of being lawbreakers. However Jesus referred back to David and his men in 1 Samuel 21:6 to show that what they were doing was not unlawful. The power of precedent coupled with the fact that David and his men had been granted permission to partake of used bread designated for the priests cancelled out the Pharisees accusations. Then Jesus asserts His ultimate Lordship over the Sabbath day, referring back to its institution by God in Genesis 2:3-4. In short - Jesus is declaring Himself as God in human flesh and Lord of all. The Lord alone can grant rest or true contentment. 

2. Jesus is Lord of my health. Luke 6:6-11; 17-19
As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus exercised His Lordship in a second area - healing. In Luke 6:6-11 He heals a withered hand and in verses 17-19 He exorcises demons. The first asserts His right to perform that which is good in reversing the effects of the fall. It must be remembered that the Sabbath was instituted pre-fall and points forward to what will be the ultimate rest we look forward to as Christians in eternity (see Hebrews 4). The second set of verses demonstrate Jesus' Lordship over the demonic realm. There were several people who claimed to perform exorcisms - however Jesus is the only One who actually did them. True exorcism was unprecedented until Jesus came. All types of diseases were overuled by Christ's Lordship.

3. Jesus is Lord of my salvation. Luke 6:20-26
This third area of Lordship deals with spiritual matters. We know from passages such as Romans 10:9 that confession of Jesus' Lordship is central to saving. A new convert may not yet possess the clarity of understanding concerning His Lordship. Nevertheless, the new convert will at bear minimum recognize Jesus' authority to forgive sins. Jesus as Savior and as Lord cannot be separated. Like the bonds of two Hydrogen Atoms and one Oxygen Atom in a molecule of water, we cannot have the true water of life - Jesus Christ - without His Saviorship nor Lordship. 

4. Jesus is Lord in my relationships. Luke 6:27-36
Interestingly Jesus spends time instructing on loving one's enemies. We know we have taken to heart Jesus' Lordship when were able to exercise Christ-likeness to those who badly treat us. If we can express such Christ-likeness to enemies, moreso then to our family and friends.

5. Jesus is Lord in my finances. Luke 6:37-38
This is the area that many Christians tend to draw the line. Jesus can have any area - but my money is my money. The error in this thinking lies in the idea of us owning rights to anything. When we become Christians - God takes us out of ownership and puts us into management. Jesus' Lordship over our finances is the cornerstone of Biblical stewardship. Other passages such as Proverbs 3:7-9; Malachi 3:6-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 all assert God's right of ownership and expectation of us to take care of what He has given us. 

6. Jesus is Lord in my obedience. Luke 6:39-49
This final section all has to do with obedience. Building the Christian life on obedience to Christ's Lordship is like building a house upon a rock. some may recall that old children's song that was sung in Sunday School regarding building a house upon the rock vss building a rock upon the sand. I know when I sang that song as a child, little did I realize it was a song predicated upon the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Closing thoughts
I would encourage readers to take a closer look at Luke 6 and discover how Jesus functions in each of these areas. We must evaluate ourselves everyday as to how much we truly practice what we say we believe about Jesus right of Lordship over our lives. To the degree we aknowledge His right to tell us what to do will determine how much we grasp His rulership and thus our clear responsibility to follow Him. 

Understanding the meaning of Jesus' Lordship

Luke 6:46-48 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, thetorrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built."

Introduction
All the time at our house we tell our children that if they will do as we say, they will have a much more enjoyable experience than if they try to do it their way. The Christian's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ operates on similar principles. To love Him is after all to do as He says. (John 14:21) Whenever we make Jesus Christ's Lordship our priority, there will be peace. 

Three words to think about when understanding Jesus Christ's Lordship or authority
Luke 6 begins and ends with the assertion of Jesus Christ being Lord. We've already established that Jesus Christ's Lordship is directly connected to the obligation and ultimately, the desire of the Christian to obey what He says. Lordship is ultimately about authority. We can summarize such authority by way of three words: rulership, responsibility and right. 

Rulership. When I say that Jesus Christ is Lord - I am referring to His authority of rulership. The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, page 700, explains further this concept of Christ's Lordship as it is found in the New Testament: "So a title whose basic thrust is to assert Jesus' present power and authority in the church and in the world leads the church to recognize that the authority is direct, not mediated, authority of God Himself. Jesus as Lord speaks not only of His work but of His person also, a fact made clear by the way the various NT writers use the OT." This is immediately demonstrated by Luke's record of Jesus' self-reference in Luke 6:5 as being "The Lord of the Sabbath". Amazingly this title used by Jesus ("Lord of the Sabbath") is an allusion to the first time we see the Divine name for God (Yahweh = LORD) used back in Genesis 2:3-4. It is in that text we see God/Yahweh asserting His absolute authority over the creation and instituting the Sabbath day as a commemoration of that fact. In short - when Jesus refers to Himself as "Lord of the Sabbath", He is saying in effect that He is God in the flesh (compare John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16).  

Responsibility. The second word we can use to understand the authority of Christ's Lordship is the responsibility all people have to heed Him. All people are responsibile to bow the knee in surrender to Jesus Christ - however not all willingly do so. Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that upon Jesus' ascension into heaven - the Father reinstated the title of "Lord" that expressed what He has already been from all eternity. From the perspective of unbelieving humanity - the jury is out on whether or not Jesus is Lord. Satan and the demonic realm refuse to acknowledge what they know to be the fact of Christ's Lordship. Regardless of what unbelievers, the demons and Satan may think - Jesus' Christ's Lordship is an uncontested reality. In heaven the Lordship of Jesus Christ is without question. In the church here on earth many confess its reality but of course not everyone yields consistently under His authority. Nonetheless what is a "not-yet" recognition of the "already" reality of Christ's Lordship will at the end of history and at His appearing be universally asserted. Unbelievers who die in their sins, the demons and Satan will bow the knee out of obligation. This is why it is so vital in the here-and-now to assert by grace through faith that "Jesus is Lord". We are responsible to Him - whether we delight in it or not. 

So we see that Christ's Lordship entails His rulership and our responsibility to Him. There is one final word we can use to complete our discussion of this important truth, namely...

Right. Does Jesus Christ as Lord have the right to tell you and me what to do? The right of Jesus Christ to have unlimited rulership in our lives and our responsibility to Him come to head in His right to be Lord. I am convinced that unless the Christian has had issue with the concept of Christ's Lordship on any level - Lordship's implications have not yet been grasped. Unless we are confronted with the rights He has over us, and unless we yield to that right - Christ's Lordship will be viewed as a fetter more than a friend.

Closing thought
Certainly we may well begin with the attitude of obedience or an "I have to" approach to our Christian life.  However as we become more closely acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, He has a way of turning my "have-to's" into "want-to's". What begins as a duty of obedience becomes a delight of surrender. As you and I wave the white flag of surrender to Jesus Christ's Lordship, we are really waving the flag of victory in the Christian life.

Introducing the Classical Method for doing apologetics

1 Peter 3:15 "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, alwaysbeing ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yetwith gentleness and reverence".

Introducting the Classical method for doing apologetics
With the mandate made clear from yeaterday's post regarding the importance of apologetics, the next important area has to do with how to go about doing apologetics.  Several methods of defending the Christian faith have been proposed through the more than 2,000 year history of the Christian church. Today's post focuses on one of those methods - so-called "Classical Apologetics". The reason why this method is called "classical" is because it represents in one way or another the manner in which Christians have defended the Christian faith since the centuries following the Apostles. At the heart of this method is the notion that Christianity is the only reasonable worldview - hence faith and reason are viewed as friends rather than foes. 

Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner of Liberty University of the following description of classical apologetics:"the unbeliever is offered evidence of the existence of God, and the supposition is that the unbeliever can reasonably ascertain that this hypothesis is rational and cohesive". 1  Hindson and Caner then explain further the second area general covered by classical apologetics, namely: "The classical apologist further argues for the reliability of the special revelation (The Bible) as a reliable and authoritative word from God."2  

Author Doug Powell has this to say about the classical method: "The emphasis of classical apologetics is on reason. Christianity's logical soundness and internal coherence is exploited in this method. As a result, tests are developed and proofs are given that demonstrate the truthfulness of Christianity and the irrationality of competing worldviews."  Powell later adds: "The classical method is so called because it traces its roots back to the second century and the earliest apologists."3

When defending the Christian faith through the method of classical apologetics, at least two and sometimes three steps are followed in the course of the presentation. 

1. First, reasonable arguments are given to show the reasonability of the Christian faith. Such arguments include:

a. Showing God's existence from observations in the universe and science (i.e the cosmological argument)

b. The existence of objective moral values (i.e the moral argument)

c. How God is necessary for anything to exist (i.e the ontological argument) 

d. The evidence for design in the universe (also called the telelogical argument). 

2. The next phase will usually entail demonstrating the reliability of the Bible from the transmission of its words through the thousands of existing manuscripts to the archaeological evidence supporting the accounts we read in the Bible.

3. Usually the final phase will then be showing how the God of the Bible exists due to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Some classical apologists will combine this step and the defense of the scriptures, whereas others may only focus on either one. 


Endnotes:
1. Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Harvest House Publishers 2008. Page 64.

2. Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Harvest House Publishers 2008. Page 65.

3. Doug Powell. Holman Quicksource Guide to Christian Apologetics. Holman Publishers. 2006. Page 356. 

Briefly Defining Christian Apologetics and its value for the Christian

Acts 17:10-11 "The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went intothe synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."

1 Peter 3:15 "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

Defining the term "apologetics"
In the opening text of today's post we see the mandate given by the Apostle Peter to defend the Christian's hope.  In fact the word translated "defense" is the Greek word "apologia" (a-po-lo-gee-a), from whence we derive the name of the branch of Christian theology called "apologetics".  When a Christian engages in apologetics, they are not saying they are "sorry" for being a Christian, rather they are given reasons to skeptical onlookers as to why they are so full of hope in an otherwise hopeless world.  Dr. R.C Sproul in a sermon entitled "apologetics" gives this definition of apologetics: "A well reasoned defense of the truth claims of the Christian faith." Any well rounded Christian should not only know "what they believe" but also "why they believe". 

In as much that apologetics deals with the defense of the Christian faith, it functions in an equal capacity of enriching the faith of those who already believe. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 we known as those who "searched the scriptures with great eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Think about it. The Bereans were young Christians who lived among pagan people. They had learned early on to exercise discernment when listening to anyone. They knew the scrolls of scripture that would have been circulating around at that time. No one could fool them and undoubtedly their faith was enriched as a result of constant sharpening in the things of God. Apologetics has immense value for both evangelism and Christian growth. 

Understanding the creation of man, his fall and need for salvation

Genesis 1:26-28 - Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Introduction

Today's post aims to summarize what the Bible teaches about God's creation of human beings, their fall into sin and the hope of salvation. 

God made human beings

God made man out of the dust of the ground and endowed him with the capacity for a relationship with him. The former expresses man as a living soul in a physical body that expresses himself volitionally, emotionally and mentally (Genesis 2:7). The latter part of this statement is described in Genesis 1:26-28 as man being made in God’s image and likeness and endowed with the capacity for relationship, exercise of dominion and thus God’s co-regent here on earth (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8). 

This creation of man did not derive from the mechanism of biological macro-evolution, natural selection or genetic mutation of interrelated species of monkeys and apes. Rather, the original Man and woman were unique creations of God that were spiritually unique from the rest of the animal kingdom. All subsequent generations are descended from Adam and Eve and still bear the image of God with respect to their still being accountable to Holy God despite the fall of our original parents.

Man rebelled against God, resulting in spiritual separation from God and the need for salvation

The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden stands as ground zero for the entry of sin into the human race (Romans 5:12-21). All of Adam’s posterity has inherited his original disposition to think and act contrary to God’s will in favor of their own. When we speak of “nature”, we are referring to the manner in which a living being expresses its existence. 

When sin was introduced into the human race, the chief mode of expression would go from being “able not to sin” to that of “unable not to sin”. Another writer has noted that prior to the fall, man was morally and spiritually curved outward towards God, with Adam’s sin resulting in us becoming curved inward to ourselves. David describes this situation as having been conceived in iniquity or “a long-standing sin-pattern” in his mother’s womb (Psalm 51). Numerous times we read in the books of Kings and Chronicles of certain kings or peoples doing the sins of their fathers. The New Testament echoes this emphasis of inherited sin by classifying a non-redeemed state as having a “worthless way of conduct handed down to us by our fathers” (1 Peter 1:17-18). 

The whole race of humanity is morally, spiritual and intellectually compromised and dead to the desire for God (Romans 3:10-13; Ephesians 2:1-2, 12). Mankind is incapable of redeeming itself and chooses to exchange God for anything else in the created realm and pursue their own desires (Romans 1:18-31). Though each man is responsible for his own sin (Ezekiel 18:20-24; Acts 13:46-47), it is clear that the pattern and propensity to sin derives from our original parents as a result of God’s curse (Genesis 3:17-19).

When man sinned – three problems or crises resulted – namely  moral, legal and spiritual ramifications that define what it means to be separated from the life of God. With respect to the moral crisis brought about by our inherited and preferential dispositions for sin over God – we cannot do anything to morally make ourselves appealing to God. The most common words for sin in both the Old and New Testament both refer to “falling short” or “missing the mark” (Romans 3:23). God is too holy to condone and look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Lest God intervened, there would be zero chance for man to cross the vast chasm between himself and God. In addition to our moral predicament, there is clearly a spiritual crisis that compounds our separation from the life of God prior to salvation. Human beings in their natural unredeemed state balk at God’s Word (1 Corinthians 2:14); have no hope in this world or the next (Ephesians 2:12); are darkened in their understanding and are sons of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-2) and choose to run from God (Romans 3:10-13).

The spiritual separation from the life of God is a direct result of mankind’s preference for darkness rather than light (John 3:17-19). Henceforth in addition to man’s moral and spiritual predicament we come to the third crisis of human beings that defines their separation from the life of God – namely their legal crisis. The Bible affirms that human beings are not right with God – i.e unrighteous (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; 6:23). 

The only solution to reconciling a fallen human being to God - redemption by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone

The law of God is God’s written revelation of His absolute righteousness – which alone makes anyone acceptable in his sight. No one can measure up to such an unreachable standard – which is why God chose to send His Son into the world to die for sinners (John 3:16). As unreconciled people, sinful man needs reconciled to Holy God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ by saving faith. To reject God’s provision and not to receive such by faith renders the individual condemned already (John 3:36).