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Title: Genetically Based Sin Post by: Josprel on December 17, 2006, 08:59:08 PM Genetically Based Sin
by Josprel Some time ago, I read with interest the comments someone sent to a large urban newspaper. They had to do with the writer's concern on the implications of genetic research on the prevailing ideas regarding sin and man's free will. Is humanity really responsible for some acts condemned by the Western religions? A United Methodist bishop also was quoted as wondering if sin is centered exclusively in free will. The Apostle Paul, the Church's quintessential theologian would have no argument with the idea of genetically based sin. Such discoveries verify his teachings, long recorded in his Epistle to the Romans, that due to The Fall the human race is "sold under sin." Paul wrote that, by its own volition, humanity is unable to practice the morality demanded by God, since the sin principle (Paul uses the term: "The law of sin and death") is so dominant a factor in human nature that, without submission to the Spirit of God through Christ Jesus, men are unable to free themselves of its clutches. The human mind indeed may will to achieve the demands of God's moral law, but the sin factor [genetically based sin] in fallen humanity does not permit it. A regeneration and transformation through Jesus Christ - a rebirth, if you prefer - is necessary. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, that evil is the only choice I have. My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body - a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body . . ." (Romans 7:21-23; Good News Bible). Paul's solution? "There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Jesus Christ. For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Jesus Christ, has set me free from the law of sin and death. What the law [the moral code] could not do, because human nature was weak, God did . . ." (Romans 8:1-3; Good News Bible; brackets added by the author). Yes, indeed! The genes of our race are programmed to sin! God understands this, and He has mandated a reprogramming through the Holy Spirit of those who are born again through Jesus Christ. It is for neglecting to avail one's self of benefits of this reprogramming that a person is charged by God with guilt. Who knows? As scientist continue their search they yet may verify other long-scorned Biblical truths, such as life after death, the reality of heaven, and - now be nice, Josprel - perhaps even Hell and the Lake of Fire. -30- © Josprel (Joseph Perrello) josprel@verizon.net About Josprel: An Air Force veteran and prolific writer, Josprel's stories appear in print and the Internet. He is a clergyman who pastored some ten years in Attica, New York, site of the nation's worst prison riot. At the request of the Attica Prison administration, he held weekly three-hour-long Bible studies for the inmates. Title: Re: Genetically Based Sin Post by: apos on January 25, 2007, 02:14:04 PM I observe sin from few point of views:
1. Spirit 'regulation' (God's character --> obidience is better than sacrifice, but Adam did the other way) 2. Biology/physic 'regulation' (limitation) 3. Soul <-- where out freewill sit (Be carefull to slip into Gnostic) Part1: It appears that sin is programmed into our gene. We are homo sapien, but how about Goliath and other homo? its appears that Blood of Jesus is only for homosapien and therefore He instruct David to terminate Goliath from earth. Comment is welcome. How about pre-Adamic race as found in fossil? Part2: IF sin is ONLY programmed into gene and not on human spirit (spiritus/roah) then modern bio-enginering may be able to erase sin from DNA strain one day. So we do NOT need Blood of Jesus anymore, halleluyah? FYI, demonic power MAY be able to do this on some extend (can't die physically and live in sin). I have told a proof that human (with demonic power) is able to live physically (not die) eventhough medically speaking it is impossible, and that lady was only able to died after she accepted Jesus! Some speculation that during Great Tribulation this fenonema may come (people can't die). Part3: SO, sin is ALSO IN human roah which is MUST BE REBORN by Holy Spirit, and (part 4) ... Part4: Salvation of SOUL is our/human job to do like expected from Adam by God in Eden but he failed. For me, free will of human must be put in Part4 context with constrain from biology, space-time, social, etc ... like Adam when he was in Eden, but Adam was very lucky "only one tree in the centre of garden", unfortunely for us, it is everywhere you go, it is in our very 'self' as Paul mentioned and arround, yet by grace of God we are enable to pass on some degree only. So, Freewill (in a very narrow sense) is still in human SOUL and God will provide the neutral circumtances for the person to choose. IF He does not provide this neutral circutances then He is NOT a fair God, and all human salvation is completely PREDESTINATED, and Judas is the hero. I do not debate on Calvinish vs Armenian. I still believe that my mind is NOT able to contain [predestination and freewill] concept in ONE place due to SPACE-TIME (of Newton) constrain. I just accept both and apply it on demand. ------------------ I do not like the idea to re-programming gene upon born-again, but the paralel idea is welcome. 1. God can and at will remove genetic-curse from our self and kids. If you have theseable kids then you knew what I mean 2. God may allow some genetic problem pass thru our kids like some health problem. 3. It is the perfect will of God to HEAL us as Isrealite in wilderness, aka your church must accept that there is still miracleS today, but I still questioning why God do not perform HEALING miracle is most churches and only on few? Do the doctrine behind the church has some thing to do with it? 4. I welcome modern medical to improve our biology system via good diet and medication. Sorry for my terrible English. |