Baptism is an important rite of Christianity around the world, and people still instinctively seek baptism as a response to conversion, even as did the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36. The story of the first great baptizer, John, is well-known, and many evangelists today could trace their heritage to him. But did baptism seem as natural back then as it does now? Why was the cleansing action of baptism the default recourse for John the Baptizer in his efforts to teach repentance? And why did the Jews receive his baptism as a natural mode of response? My reading of John's gospel has raised these and other questions.
First, in John 3:25-26 we see that baptism was related (in the minds of the disciples and of the Jews) to the Jewish custom of purification. "There arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.'" Ceremonial purification was a form instituted by God and expanded by the Pharisees into an intricate series of rules. Thus the Jews would have had a specific process in mind when they spoke of purification. Is it possible that they thought of the baptisms of John simply as purifications?
Well, as uncleanliness was a incessant problem for the Jews, they would have been used to purifications occurring at all times and in all places. There would have been no difficulty in the fact that the purifications were performed by untutored men in the wilderness, since the only qualification in the Law seems to have been a state of cleanness on the part of the purifier (Numbers 19:18). And although no particular sins needed to be acknowledged before baptism (Matthew 3:14), this would not have been unusual for a people constantly in transition between cleanness and uncleanness (Job 1:5). In fact, it is likely that by Jesus' day the common people routinely failed to keep up with the washings required, leading to the need for a prophetical call to repentance such as John's.
What is the significance of this? If the Jews thought of baptism simply as a form of purification en masse, how does this influence our view of baptism? It certainly does not preclude its meaning something more to us. For one thing, baptism is once-for-all, while purification had to be performed every time a person became unclean (Numbers 19:20), which is indicative of a significant change in our relationship with God. Nonetheless, the connection between baptism and purification does suggest that we can look to the Old Testament for details on the outward ceremony of baptism. I would go so far as to say that the word 'baptism' likely meant simply 'the washing of purification' to the Jews before the New Testament authors took it and gave it a specific sacramental meaning.
What then did the baptism of the old covenant involve and express? In Numbers 8:7, 19:17-18, and Ezekiel 36:25 water is sprinkled as a means or sign of cleansing and recommitment to God. But the best case study is John 2:1-11, an occasion at the very end of the old covenant. There we see that "the Jewish custom of purification" required water, conveniently stored in 30 gallon drums, and filled from a nearby well. Too small for bathing and too large for sprinkling, these drums were probably used for ritual washings, where a jug would be dipped in and poured out over the hands or feet (Exodus 30:19). But at the wedding in John 2, the water-pots were empty! Symbolically, this suggests that the old traditions were replaced or fulfilled in Jesus. Practically, it means that either the laws of purification were not being observed, or that the many wedding guests had used up the available water. Either way, we see need for a new method, one that cleanses our insides, permanently, and not our outsides merely temporarily.
Does this correspond to the description of baptism under the new covenant? There are ten examples of water baptism in Acts: of Jews in Acts 2:1-41; Samaritans in Acts 8:5-12; Simon in Acts 8:13; an Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-40; Saul in Acts 9:1-18/22:1-16; Cornelius in Acts 10:1-11:18; Lydia in Acts 16:14-15; the jailer in Acts 16:25-34; the Corinthians in Acts 18:8; and the Ephesians in Acts 19:1-7. In each case, baptism is a convert's response in faith to the preaching of the gospel. Water is not always mentioned explicitly, but this is always clearly a physical baptism. The mode is never described, although we can say that in some cases immersion is less probable (the 3,000 Jews, Acts 2:41; the jailer and his family at midnight, Acts 16:33) than in others (the Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8:36). Sometimes individuals were baptized, and sometimes entire households when the head was converted. These examples leave open the possibility of a lot of variability in the mode of baptism.
To complicate the matter further, the word 'baptism' is used in about fourteen different ways in the Bible: Noahaic baptism (Gen 6:13; 1 Pet 3:20-21); baptism unto Moses (Ex 14:29; 1 Cor 10:2); Israel’s ceremonial cleansings (Num 19:13; Lev 11:25; Ex 19:14; Ex 30:17-21; Heb 9:10); Levitical priesthood baptisms (Ex 29:4; Lev 8:6; Num 8:7); traditional Jewish cleansings (Matt 15:12; Mark 7:19; Luke 11:38); John’s baptism (Matt 3:56; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31; Luke 7:29; Acts 10:37); Jesus’ baptism by John (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-10); baptism with fire (Isa 4:4; Mal 3:2-3; Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16); Jesus’ baptism unto death (Matt 20:22-23; Mark 10:38-39; Luke 12:50); water baptism (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Matt 28:19; Acts 22:16; Ez 36:25); Spirit baptism (Isa 44:3; Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 24:49; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 11:16; Titus 3:5); Gentile baptism (Acts 10:45-48); baptism for the dead (1 Cor 15:29); and baptism into Christ (John 13:8; 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 4:5; Col 2:12; Gal 3:27; Rom 6:3-4). Obviously all of these cannot be treated as the same physical action. How then can we distinguish them?
The primary distinction should be between the instances when baptism is commanded, and the instances when baptism is described as part of salvation. The baptism that saves us can never be an outward work, but only an appeal to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21). On the other hand, there certainly is a baptism which is commanded in the New Testament. But in those cases it is varyingly coupled with evangelism (Matthew 28:19), repentance (Acts 2:38), and belief (Mark 16:16). Together, these passages definitely teach Christians to be baptized, but they do not clearly teach at what time. On the other hand, the baptism into Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Col 2:12) seems to be a necessary and certain part of salvation, but it is never commanded, but promised to the saved. Finally, there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is neither required of nor guaranteed to Christians, but which is a gift of God as a response to prayer (Acts 2:17-18; Acts 8:15-17).
Most of the fourteen possible usages of 'baptism' above can be fit into one of these three categories. (I say most because I don't know what 'baptism for the dead' even means). Particularly, the physical baptisms described above seem to be a natural part of or response to conversion, as opposed to a necessary step in conversion. In summary, there seems to be a lot we are not told about water baptism. We do not know what it looks like (sprinkling, pouring, or immersion?). We do not know when it is to occur (with hearing, with repentance, or with belief?). We do not know exactly who it is to be performed on (individuals or households?). We do not even know which baptism is that which is commanded by God (although process of elimination suggests it is water baptism). We can make deductions and persuasive arguments for each of these, but we must not miss the main point:
We are to be baptized in Jesus' name because Jesus was baptized for us. He did not require cleansing from sin; he did not deserve the punishment of death. But he underwent it because we did require it, and we faced inevitable death as a consequence. He did it all for us ahead of time. Each of our sins was washed away in his blood, and in his death our deadliness died. 3"Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life ... and no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:3-4, 6)."
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Epistemological Self-Consciousness
n., the knowledge of who you are, and the knowledge of the implications of this knowledge on yourself and others.
It is impossible to truly know oneself. One's biases and self-deceits are too fully ingrained to allow one to unearth and dissect oneself. To attempt to do so would be death. It is only through the study of others that one can come to comprehend oneself. It is only when one's bubble presses up against that of another that it deforms enough to reflect back a part of itself. For what is a soul in the end, solitary and isolated from the rest of humanity, but a grain of dust?
It is impossible to truly know another. One's habitual prejudices and dissemblances are too resilient to be completely overcome in any relationship. To attempt to do so would be murder. It is only through the study of oneself that one can come to apprehend another. It is only when one's eyes turn inward that they can avoid their self-induced blindness and see through to others. For what is humanity in the end, commingled and confused, but a storm of dust?
Can there then be any genuine personality, any honest impression, any clear perception? Any 'real me' among the myriad kaleidoscopic projections of myself? Any answer to the primal question, 'What is man?' (Psalm 144:3)? Truly, the only definition of existence is 'that which God sees'. For in seeing, He creates reality.
It is impossible to truly know oneself. One's biases and self-deceits are too fully ingrained to allow one to unearth and dissect oneself. To attempt to do so would be death. It is only through the study of others that one can come to comprehend oneself. It is only when one's bubble presses up against that of another that it deforms enough to reflect back a part of itself. For what is a soul in the end, solitary and isolated from the rest of humanity, but a grain of dust?
It is impossible to truly know another. One's habitual prejudices and dissemblances are too resilient to be completely overcome in any relationship. To attempt to do so would be murder. It is only through the study of oneself that one can come to apprehend another. It is only when one's eyes turn inward that they can avoid their self-induced blindness and see through to others. For what is humanity in the end, commingled and confused, but a storm of dust?
Can there then be any genuine personality, any honest impression, any clear perception? Any 'real me' among the myriad kaleidoscopic projections of myself? Any answer to the primal question, 'What is man?' (Psalm 144:3)? Truly, the only definition of existence is 'that which God sees'. For in seeing, He creates reality.
Senses
What's your favorite sensory faculty and why?
Thermoception; I'd be left stone-cold without it.
Nociception; I'd be paralyzed without it.
Equilibrioception; I couldn't stand to go without it.
Proprioception; I'd be lost without it.
Kinesthesioception; I'd be turned around without it.
Ophthalmoception; life without it would be very dark.
Audioception; life without it would be like living in a vacuum.
Gustaoception; life without it would be very bland.
Olfacoception; life without it would not be a bed of roses.
Tactioception; life without it would be very dull.
Thermoception; I'd be left stone-cold without it.
Nociception; I'd be paralyzed without it.
Equilibrioception; I couldn't stand to go without it.
Proprioception; I'd be lost without it.
Kinesthesioception; I'd be turned around without it.
Ophthalmoception; life without it would be very dark.
Audioception; life without it would be like living in a vacuum.
Gustaoception; life without it would be very bland.
Olfacoception; life without it would not be a bed of roses.
Tactioception; life without it would be very dull.
Heart's Desire
King Arthur was once asked, 'What do women desire the most?'
At that time, the correct answer was said to be 'sovereignty'. From my experience, I don't think things have changed much over the centuries. Indeed, I would say that if you apply this broadly it is true for any created being. But autonomy and omnipotence in humans are more than impossible; any attempt towards them would be in opposition to God's authority.
What then is the greatest desire one can have without sin? What is the highest and purest longing of every human heart? What really makes us tick? I think what we want and need is to be known without explanation, and loved without justification—to be fully known, and yet fully loved. Not that I came up with this myself. I think I heard it first from Scott Mitchell, but poets have been saying it for ages as well:
"Blessed are you," say I, who know all now,
"you who have had some beautiful soul that lived life strongly,
and knew you all through, and loved you ever."
—Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology, Le Roy Goldman.
The pressing question is then: 'Can this be fulfilled by another person? Will it ever be?' I am not going to answer this for you. Scientifically, the absence of proof is not proof of absence. But it is evidence. Instead, I want to answer a different question: 'Can this be fulfilled by God? Has it been already?'
This question was asked (and answered) by King David in Psalm 139, and I turn there first to find the solution. David begins with the intimate and disconcerting fact that an omniscient God can and does know us fully. No matter where we are or what we do, we cannot escape from God's knowledge, which resolves the first half of the question.
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
2 You understand my thought from afar.
But this is not all. David continues in the second half of the psalm to praise God for his grace. God has done things for us which make David believe that He still loves him. His very knowledge suggests a concern for us, and all his works towards us are marvelous.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
But still it is not enough. At the end of the psalm, close though David has come to God, he still senses distance, uncertainty, separation. He is not yet fully loved as he is fully known. There is something missing, and he cries:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
The world had to wait another two thousand years before that missing piece was revealed in Jesus. In Him is all the love of the Father expressed and manifested.Through Him we can approach God's holiness and be united with Him, receiving upon ourselves all the love which He has for His Son. Only one example will be necessary. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman by a well, he already knew everything she had ever done (John 4:29). And it wasn't pretty. But he still loved her enough to give her the water of life, and his offer stands for all of us as well:
14 Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst, but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
They say there's a teacher from Galilee
Who says "If you're thirsty, come, come to me."
And if you believe you will receive
A fountain that flows from your heart.
Drink from the river, the river of life
Come and drink from the river that never runs dry.
—Marty Goetz
At that time, the correct answer was said to be 'sovereignty'. From my experience, I don't think things have changed much over the centuries. Indeed, I would say that if you apply this broadly it is true for any created being. But autonomy and omnipotence in humans are more than impossible; any attempt towards them would be in opposition to God's authority.
What then is the greatest desire one can have without sin? What is the highest and purest longing of every human heart? What really makes us tick? I think what we want and need is to be known without explanation, and loved without justification—to be fully known, and yet fully loved. Not that I came up with this myself. I think I heard it first from Scott Mitchell, but poets have been saying it for ages as well:
"Blessed are you," say I, who know all now,
"you who have had some beautiful soul that lived life strongly,
and knew you all through, and loved you ever."
—Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology, Le Roy Goldman.
The pressing question is then: 'Can this be fulfilled by another person? Will it ever be?' I am not going to answer this for you. Scientifically, the absence of proof is not proof of absence. But it is evidence. Instead, I want to answer a different question: 'Can this be fulfilled by God? Has it been already?'
This question was asked (and answered) by King David in Psalm 139, and I turn there first to find the solution. David begins with the intimate and disconcerting fact that an omniscient God can and does know us fully. No matter where we are or what we do, we cannot escape from God's knowledge, which resolves the first half of the question.
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
2 You understand my thought from afar.
But this is not all. David continues in the second half of the psalm to praise God for his grace. God has done things for us which make David believe that He still loves him. His very knowledge suggests a concern for us, and all his works towards us are marvelous.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
But still it is not enough. At the end of the psalm, close though David has come to God, he still senses distance, uncertainty, separation. He is not yet fully loved as he is fully known. There is something missing, and he cries:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
The world had to wait another two thousand years before that missing piece was revealed in Jesus. In Him is all the love of the Father expressed and manifested.Through Him we can approach God's holiness and be united with Him, receiving upon ourselves all the love which He has for His Son. Only one example will be necessary. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman by a well, he already knew everything she had ever done (John 4:29). And it wasn't pretty. But he still loved her enough to give her the water of life, and his offer stands for all of us as well:
14 Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst, but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
They say there's a teacher from Galilee
Who says "If you're thirsty, come, come to me."
And if you believe you will receive
A fountain that flows from your heart.
Drink from the river, the river of life
Come and drink from the river that never runs dry.
—Marty Goetz
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Atonement
Sometimes it is worth thinking through a problem for yourself, even if it has been solved before – and whether or not you get the right answer. Let me start with a proposition, which will become clearer as I progress:
Our problem is threefold: 1. Debt; 2. Guilt; and 3. Corruption.
The solution must then also be threefold: 1. Credit; 2. Merit; and 3. Character.
These ideas are presented in Colossians 2:13-14, although in reverse order: "He made you alive3. together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions2. and having canceled out the certificate of debt1. consisting of decrees against us.
In the Old Testament God solved our first problem (debt) through the institution of a system of sacrifices. He decreed, as was his right, that the debt acquired through an act of sin could be paid through the credit acquired by making a sacrifice for it. "The priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed, and he shall be forgiven" (Leviticus 4:35). But it was recognized even in Old Testament times that this was not enough. "Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.... The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:8, 23).
Thus God gave the promise of a solution to the second problem: a ransom. "If a ransom is imposed on him, than he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him" (Exodus 21:30). The guilt or stain remaining after all debts have been paid can be covered by a ransom or hostage – someone who is willing to give his life in surety for the good faith of the perpetrator. Yet it was plain that "no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice" (Psalm 49:7-8). Thus faith was required that "God will ransom my soul" (v. 15), although the means was not clear until Christ's death. "The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
But one problem remains: "You shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death" (Numbers 35:31). A ransom can only guarantee the outward behavior of the sinner, not the inward behavior of his heart. Suppose that a murderer could apparently reform his attitude and even miraculously raise his victim from the dead — would he then be given liberty by the law? No, he would not, not before he had paid for his crime. How then can God, who looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), approach one whose "heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9)?
Look at it from the other side. It is said (see Cur Deus Homo, by Anselm of Canterbury) that Jesus had to be fully God, in order to be a worthy ransom, and fully man, in order to receive our punishment (Hebrews 9:14 and 2:14). As God, Jesus had the authority and will to become man and live in full accord with God's law (John 10:18). As man, He had the responsibility and ability to pay for any wrongs committed (Hebrew 9:22). The question is, 'How could God have the right and power to punish Him for the sins of others?'. Not, 'How could He bear all our sins?', but, 'How could He bear any one of our sins?'. Granted that 1. the law allows the free to pay the debt of the slave, and given that 2. justice permits an innocent to accept punishment for the guilt of another, how could 3. any such sacrifice cleanse the corruption from the sinner?
A murder cannot be ransomed because the law cannot correct the heart. Is there any way that justice could transfer the status of one to another – any way that one could be so identified with another as to allow the character of one to be shared with the other? It seems to me that the relationship of a father and a child is the only thing that comes close. If a son willfully kills a fellow person, although ignorant of the consequences, the father will be required not only to pay the debt of the son (to the family of the deceased) and to cover his guilt (perhaps by reform school), but to labor under the bad repute deserved by his son. He will (probably fairly) be considered the source and cause of the youth's corruption.
Does this make sense? How could a perfect God become responsible for the failures of His creatures? He claims the position of Father, offering us the position of the prodigal son. But what a relationship that must be – far beyond that of earthly father and son! Christ must become the spiritual and legal head of all believers, in some fundamental sense. And what a weight God must account to human relationships! As God described Himself as He passed by Moses on the mountain: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation" (Exodus 34:6-7).
This hereditary transfer of culpability and responsibility had previously bothered me, but now I find comfort in it, as I recognize this as the gracious means whereby God has ordained to redeem His people. When we accept God as our Father, Jesus takes full responsibility for our behavior, and in our adoption imbues us with new natures. Thus, with Christ dies our corruption, inherited from our other fathers, and we receive His perfect character, outwardly and (eventually) inwardly. In this way earthly parents can take responsibility for their children's faith and baptize them in infancy before these children are able to decide for themselves. As their legal and spiritual head, they have authority over them even in this. But I suspect I should reserve an entire post for this subject.
As James Boice puts it, "The representative nature of Adam’s sin is an example of God’s grace toward us, for it is on the basis of that representation that God is able to save us. Paul says, "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s [Jesus'] obedience many will be made righteous" (Rom. 5:19). Because we are beings who live in relationships and because God has chosen to deal with us in that way, both in regard to Adam and his sin and to Jesus and his righteousness, there can be salvation" (Foundation of the Christian Faith II.1.2). If we were not condemned with Adam, we could not be restored with him, and my heart assures me that my sin alone is more than enough to weigh me down to Hell! Thanks be to God for his gracious plan, which covers our debt, guilt, AND corruption in Christ Jesus.
Our problem is threefold: 1. Debt; 2. Guilt; and 3. Corruption.
The solution must then also be threefold: 1. Credit; 2. Merit; and 3. Character.
These ideas are presented in Colossians 2:13-14, although in reverse order: "He made you alive3. together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions2. and having canceled out the certificate of debt1. consisting of decrees against us.
In the Old Testament God solved our first problem (debt) through the institution of a system of sacrifices. He decreed, as was his right, that the debt acquired through an act of sin could be paid through the credit acquired by making a sacrifice for it. "The priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed, and he shall be forgiven" (Leviticus 4:35). But it was recognized even in Old Testament times that this was not enough. "Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.... The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:8, 23).
Thus God gave the promise of a solution to the second problem: a ransom. "If a ransom is imposed on him, than he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him" (Exodus 21:30). The guilt or stain remaining after all debts have been paid can be covered by a ransom or hostage – someone who is willing to give his life in surety for the good faith of the perpetrator. Yet it was plain that "no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice" (Psalm 49:7-8). Thus faith was required that "God will ransom my soul" (v. 15), although the means was not clear until Christ's death. "The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
But one problem remains: "You shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death" (Numbers 35:31). A ransom can only guarantee the outward behavior of the sinner, not the inward behavior of his heart. Suppose that a murderer could apparently reform his attitude and even miraculously raise his victim from the dead — would he then be given liberty by the law? No, he would not, not before he had paid for his crime. How then can God, who looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), approach one whose "heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9)?
Look at it from the other side. It is said (see Cur Deus Homo, by Anselm of Canterbury) that Jesus had to be fully God, in order to be a worthy ransom, and fully man, in order to receive our punishment (Hebrews 9:14 and 2:14). As God, Jesus had the authority and will to become man and live in full accord with God's law (John 10:18). As man, He had the responsibility and ability to pay for any wrongs committed (Hebrew 9:22). The question is, 'How could God have the right and power to punish Him for the sins of others?'. Not, 'How could He bear all our sins?', but, 'How could He bear any one of our sins?'. Granted that 1. the law allows the free to pay the debt of the slave, and given that 2. justice permits an innocent to accept punishment for the guilt of another, how could 3. any such sacrifice cleanse the corruption from the sinner?
A murder cannot be ransomed because the law cannot correct the heart. Is there any way that justice could transfer the status of one to another – any way that one could be so identified with another as to allow the character of one to be shared with the other? It seems to me that the relationship of a father and a child is the only thing that comes close. If a son willfully kills a fellow person, although ignorant of the consequences, the father will be required not only to pay the debt of the son (to the family of the deceased) and to cover his guilt (perhaps by reform school), but to labor under the bad repute deserved by his son. He will (probably fairly) be considered the source and cause of the youth's corruption.
Does this make sense? How could a perfect God become responsible for the failures of His creatures? He claims the position of Father, offering us the position of the prodigal son. But what a relationship that must be – far beyond that of earthly father and son! Christ must become the spiritual and legal head of all believers, in some fundamental sense. And what a weight God must account to human relationships! As God described Himself as He passed by Moses on the mountain: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation" (Exodus 34:6-7).
This hereditary transfer of culpability and responsibility had previously bothered me, but now I find comfort in it, as I recognize this as the gracious means whereby God has ordained to redeem His people. When we accept God as our Father, Jesus takes full responsibility for our behavior, and in our adoption imbues us with new natures. Thus, with Christ dies our corruption, inherited from our other fathers, and we receive His perfect character, outwardly and (eventually) inwardly. In this way earthly parents can take responsibility for their children's faith and baptize them in infancy before these children are able to decide for themselves. As their legal and spiritual head, they have authority over them even in this. But I suspect I should reserve an entire post for this subject.
As James Boice puts it, "The representative nature of Adam’s sin is an example of God’s grace toward us, for it is on the basis of that representation that God is able to save us. Paul says, "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s [Jesus'] obedience many will be made righteous" (Rom. 5:19). Because we are beings who live in relationships and because God has chosen to deal with us in that way, both in regard to Adam and his sin and to Jesus and his righteousness, there can be salvation" (Foundation of the Christian Faith II.1.2). If we were not condemned with Adam, we could not be restored with him, and my heart assures me that my sin alone is more than enough to weigh me down to Hell! Thanks be to God for his gracious plan, which covers our debt, guilt, AND corruption in Christ Jesus.
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