Topical Bible: Man: Involved Posterity in his Ruin

◄ Man: Involved Posterity in his Ruin ►

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The concept of man involving his posterity in his ruin is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Fall as described in the Book of Genesis. This entry explores the theological implications of Adam's transgression and its effects on subsequent generations, as well as the biblical basis for understanding this doctrine.

The Fall of Man

The account of the Fall is found in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God, disobey His command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of disobedience is pivotal, as it introduces sin into the human experience. Genesis 3:6 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

Theological Implications

Theologically, Adam's sin is seen as the original sin, a term that denotes the fallen state of human nature inherited by all descendants of Adam. This concept is supported by passages such as Romans 5:12 , which declares, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." This verse underscores the belief that Adam's sin had a corporate effect on humanity, leading to a universal condition of sinfulness and mortality.

Transmission of Sin

The doctrine of original sin posits that Adam's transgression resulted in a corrupted nature being passed down to all his descendants. This is further elucidated in Romans 5:19 : "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Here, the apostle Paul contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ, highlighting the pervasive impact of Adam's sin on humanity.

Consequences for Humanity

The consequences of Adam's sin are manifold, affecting both the spiritual and physical realms. Spiritually, humanity is alienated from God, as seen in Isaiah 59:2 : "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Physically, the curse pronounced in Genesis 3:17-19 introduces toil, pain, and death into human existence: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

Hope of Redemption

Despite the ruin brought upon humanity by Adam's sin, the Bible offers hope through the promise of redemption. Genesis 3:15 contains the protoevangelium, the first gospel promise, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." This promise foreshadows the coming of Christ, who, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, provides a means of reconciliation and restoration for fallen humanity.

Conclusion

The involvement of man's posterity in his ruin is a foundational aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of Adam's sin and the need for divine intervention through Jesus Christ. This doctrine serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin and the profound grace offered through the redemptive work of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 5:12-19
Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ...
... in the words, "As by one man's disobedience many ... is this, As Adam, by his ruin, involved
and ruined us ... himself, transmitted the contagion to all his posterity. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... and an in the place thereof became involved in blindness of ... Hence all the posterity
of Adam, Christ only excepted, have ... good work so deal with us, man can have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

Refutation of the Calumnies by which this Doctrine is Always ...
... state of wretchedness in which they are now involved; and this is ... not only foresaw
the fall of the first man, and in him the ruin of his posterity; but also ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 23 refutation of the.htm

The Origin and Nature of Pelagianism.
... with such violence as almost to become involved in a ... in order that they might deny
that man needed help ... sin had any further effect on his posterity than might ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/i the origin and nature.htm

Eusebius as a Writer
... no ancient ecclesiastical writer has laid posterity under heavier ... more acquired material
than any man of his age ... His style is, as a rule, involved and obscure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 1 eusebius as a.htm

Sirs, what must I do to be Saved? and they Said, Believe on the ...
... in the sin and ruin of his posterity, I suppose ... that his obedience or disobedience
involved them irresistibly ... resulted so, that "by one man's disobedience many ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/sirs what must i do.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... and in brief, is what is implied and involved in "coming ... creatures and then take
up a good man, instil an ... say to every one that desireth posterity, Marry, and ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... confounded under one denomination, they were involved in the ... be transmitted with
honour to the latest posterity. ... free from blame." Although every man shall be ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... 2. The heart also involved in corruption, and hence in ... The Apostle, when he would
humble man's pride, uses ... individuals, but against the whole posterity of Adam ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... and Abram was a wealthy and happy man in the ... But his deception involved him in the
very difficulty ... of Jehovah's favor upon his undertakings, and his posterity. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm