Chapter 7: The Genesis Of Sin

Question 1

Why are Paul’s words in Romans 5:12 important as it relates to sin?

Answer 1

In this Paul gives a divinely inspired commentary on the problem of sin.

1) Paul gives us a divinely inspired lens through which to understand and apply the fall.

2) The presence of sin is acknowledged by just about everyone but only through divine revelation can we know it’s origin.
- Paul gives insight not found elsewhere.

3) Paul develops a federal framework for interpreting Genesis 2 & 3 when he compares Adam and Christ.

Question 2

What are the twin consequences of the fall mentioned by Paul in Romans 5:12?

Answer 2

Sin and death

These are the two pillars upon which Christs work is based.

From Paul’s perspective sin and death are comprehensive of all that is evil in the world.

Question 3

In what way does sin and death (Romans 5:12) represent the two pillars upon which the work of Christ is based?

Answer 3

After Genesis 3 the central problem of the Bible becomes the removal of the two-fold consequence of sin.

• the question becomes - how will God’s people overcome the problem of sin
• and who will take the punishment for them?

Question 4

In regard to the fall, what is it the Messiah is saving us from?

Answer 4

We are to be saved from the moral and penal effects of the fall.

Question 5

Who was Zacharias Ursinus?

Answer 5

• One of the principal authors of the Heidelberg Catechism.

• wrote a concise summary of the Christian faith in which he talks about a Duplex Malum.

• the categories of Ursinus’ duplex malum are corruption and guilt.

• Ursinus follows his duplex malum with Christs double grace and imputation of righteousness and regeneration.

Question 6

What is the meaning of duplex malum?

Answer 6

Latin for double evil.

• sin and death
• Ursinus used categories of corruption and guilt.

Question 7

Who was Amandus Polanus?

Answer 7

One of the most important but neglected reformers. (1561-1610)

• most famous for his work, “the Substance of the Christian Religion.”

• in this work Polanus speaks of penal and moral categories of sin from Romans 5:12.

Question 8

Describe Polanus’ penal category of sin.

Answer 8

Penal category includes:
-Fault
- guilt
- punishment

According g to Polanus, Our original guilt is a natural fault and is subject to punishment because of the fall of our first parents.

Question 9

Describe Polanus’ moral category.

Answer 9

To Polanus there are two parts of original sin: original guilt and original naughtiness.

His moral category is:
- naughtiness (sin)
- depravity
- corruption

• Where sin is the actual transgression.
• Depravity speaks to what you are in terms of your nature
• corruption is how it affects the totality of your being.

Question 10

What is the context of Genesis 3:16-19?

Answer 10

God gives the punishment first to the woman and then to the man as a result of their disobedience in Genesis 2:17.

This is the execution of the covenant of works; blessed if you obey, cursed if you disobey.

Question 11

Why was the punishment on Adam just and how was it merciful?

Answer 11

God’s judgment was just because Adam got what he deserved.

• John Owen states, “the execution of a righteous sentence, upon the voluntary transgression of a law just and equal, hath no unrighteousness in it.”

• The threat of death was merciful in that it was intended to keep Adam from death by detering sin.

Question 12

What are the two solutions to the problem of sin?

Answer 12

1) we can try to overcome our guilt by our own deeds, and give an account.

Or

2) somebody more qualified can overcome our moral and penal plight for us.

Question 13

How does Ursinus sum up the two paths to satisfy divine justice for our sin?

Answer 13

“God will have his justice satisfied, wherefore it is necessary that we satisfy either by ourselves or by another.”

Question 14

What are the two criteria the sinless substitute must meet to remove the curse of sin?

Answer 14

1) must be a sinless substitute that has not been corrupted by Adam’s fall.

2) must be able to act as a substitution for the benefit of those who have been found guilty.
(I take this to mean a human)

*** moral purity must be obtained and penal judgment must be executed.

Question 15

What is penal substitution?

Answer 15

Penal substitution is that Jesus stood in my stead for the punishment I deserved.

Question 16

How do we commonly distinguish Christ’s passive and active obedience?

Answer 16

Active obedience - Christ laid down his life on his own initiative, actively lived a sinless life, etc.

Passive obedience - is seen where Christ doesn’t possess original sin, took on the wrath of God, took upon himself our sin, etc.

Question 17

In what way does Christ’s active and passive obedience answer the problem of our sin?

Answer 17

Christs active obedience answers the problem of our moral corruption, the lack of our original righteousness.

Christs passive obedience answers the problem of our penal crisis.

John Murray points out that it is the twofold demand of the law that is taken into account when we speak of the active and passive obedience of Christ.
1. The law demands full discharge of its precepts.

And also

2. The infliction of penalty for all shortcomings.

Question 18

How does Genesis 3:15 show us God’s grace and redemption according to John Owen?

Answer 18

Grace: God will do it. “I will put enmity.”

• in this God reveals a promise in which fallen humanity will be able to relate to God.

Redemption: he will do this in and by the nature of man.

-1. the seed of the woman will conquer (bruise) Satan and bring deliverance for mankind.
-2. He (the seed) must suffer (bruised) by the means of Satan.

Question 19

Why is grace and redemption in Genesis 3:15 significant?

Answer 19

We expect judgment at this point. Man has fallen into sin and deserves death.

What we don’t expect is grace.
- God has provided a new path for human redemption.

Question 20

4 things that can be observed about Genesis 3 based on Owens quote about grace and redemption:

Answer 20

1. Only the testimony of scripture reveals that the sin of our first parents was the occasion and cause of evil in the world.
2. Humanity is powerless to overcome its own corruption and provide deliverance from the penalty of sin.
3. Gods words to the serpent provide the first hint at how he will provide relief from the corruption of the fall and the penalty of sin.
4. Genesis 3:15 provides the foundation for redemption.
   - it is the first promise of deliverance.

Question 21

How is the Covenant of works the foundation for the covenant of grace?

Answer 21

• We know the covenant of works has not been kept, yet the covenant of works still remains.
- God still demands obedience.

• after the fall perfection became an impossibility for man.
- it must be fulfilled by another.

• Christ obeyed the covenant of works and received the cursing of the covenant broken by Adam that we might enjoy it’s blessing.

** the first promise regulates all other promises.
** the later promises expand on the first.