Atonement

Post by **_darin-houston** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:19 pm

This may not belong in this area, but I have a couple of questions:

(1) How did Christ's nature differ from Adam's (pre-fall)? He was born of a virgin so as not to be tainted with original sin from Adam, right? If so, then He had no tendency towards sin like I do, so how were His temptations in any respects like my own?

(2) If our own regenerated natures still have the taint of original sin, was Christ's atonement insufficient to restore us completely to communion with God or was it "just enough" to provide a place for the Holy Spirit in the here and now to help us persevere to the end? It seems odd that such a sacrifice would be made without full and complete victory over sin, yet clearly we have only partial victory over sin in the here and now.

(3) Why does Creation still have the effects of the curse?

Post by **_Paidion** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:54 pm

(1) How did Christ's nature differ from Adam's (pre-fall)? He was born of a virgin so as not to be tainted with original sin from Adam, right? If so, then He had no tendency towards sin like I do, so how were His temptations in any respects like my own?

I'd like to take a stab at the first one.

A child inherits his physical and mental characteristics from both parents (and that of their ancestors). Since Jesus had only one human parent, he inherited her human nature (and that of her ancestors), both physical and mental.

I disbelieve that anyone is born "tainted with original sin." I believe we inherit the fallen human nature that has a tendency to sin. I believe that Jesus inherited just such a nature.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

If Jesus had not had a tendency to sin, He would not have been tempted.
But the fact that He was tempted to sin, but didn't actually sin, demonstrated that it possible for a human being not to sin. Besides that, He died in order to make it possible for us, too, to be delivered from sinful practice.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself endured our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.