Tag: Doctrine of Sin

Can we talk about ugliness?

John Piper hosts a podcast called “Ask Pastor John”. Recently he was asked: ““Pastor John, why did God make some people ugly and unattractive? How can I accept the fact that God, though capable of making me beautiful or at least average looking, chose to create me in an unattractive manner?” Now I guess, Piper… Continue reading Can we talk about ugliness?

Distorted purpose

So far, we’ve seen how God made humanity in his image to: reflect his glory, to fill (multiply and populate) and to subdue (rule over/steward) his creation.  Man and woman are together made in God’s image to complement one another. God blesses them by providing for them and protecting them.  At the same time, he… Continue reading Distorted purpose

Murderers at heart (Genesis 4)

In Genesis 1-2, the origins of humanity are described. Mankind is made in God’s image and so man and woman have the breath of God within them. God blesses them and provides for them. They have meaning and purpose as they are told to fill and subdue the earth. And yet in Geneis 3 we… Continue reading Murderers at heart (Genesis 4)

The Doctrine of The Fall

God made the world good. The sense we get in Genesis 1 is of “perfection.” By perfection we do not mean in the sense that it was complete but rather that it was fitting for its time. It was incomplete in the sense that humans still had the work of filling and subduing creation and… Continue reading The Doctrine of The Fall

Fall and Judgement

Failure and Rebellion In Genesis 1 and 2 God had been the primary actor and it was his voice that was heard consistently. God spoke in order to bring things into being and events to pass. Towards the end of Genesis 2, man is drawn more towards the centre of the stage so that he… Continue reading Fall and Judgement

God in the Dock (Romans 3:1-8)

Paul has argued that relying on ethnic pride does not work.  Your genes will not save you, nor your knowledge of The Law. We are judged by our actual righteous, the good that we do or don’t do. Therefore Jews and Gentiles alike face judgement day. So, if a Jew cannot claim an exemption, is… Continue reading God in the Dock (Romans 3:1-8)