COURSE 101 CH.2

What phrase from Genesis 3 captures the essence of sin? Explain.

* Gen 3:5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

* This passage shows the essence of sin, which is for us to usurp God's authority in our lives - to become "our own gods", and determine for ourselves what is "good and evil for me".

How does the Fall show that sin is not just immoral behavior?

* Adam and Eve ate a piece of fruit -- morally neutral

* The acts was sinful because of what is represented -- rejecting God's authority to tell them what is good/evil, mistrusting him, wanting to decide for themselves

Give examples of the "forbidden fruit" in every relationship

Adultery against spouse

Back-stabbing a friend

Deserting comrades in arm

Explain why sin is, primarily, relational rejection of God

*God created us in love, and the core sin is a rejection of God, out loving Creator

*Sin is relational-spiritual enmity toward God; hostility/treason against God's rightful claim on us

*i.e. tender parental love that is portrayed in Genesis 1 & 2: analogy like the college-bound teen's rejection

How is idolatry a consequence of rejecting God? Give me modern-day examples.

*Because we were made to be worshiping beings, when rejected God, we ended up worshiping other things

*Like money, degrees, career, success, romance

Thought question (not explicitly in material): "I don't think [above] are idols, I don't bow down to them or worship them. I'm a Christian." Explain what makes these idols.

*People hope that these idols will deliver them from something...insecurity, insignificance, loneliness, emptiness

*Turn to these: instead of turning to God for security, significance, love. Instead of defining my life by God's creation, love, boundaries of me

*Lift up other things to provide these. Replace God with these other things

Explain Christmas Tree illustration

*The Christmas tree appears to be alive with all its smells and ornaments, but in reality, it's dead because it's been cut from the roots, the source of life

*In the same way, we, though appear to be alive, have been cut off from the very source of life in God

*In the meantime, just like we decorate the Christmas tree with ornaments, we put "ornaments" on ourselves to distract ourselves from the uncomfortable reality of death.

"Okay, so I'm self-conscious, insecrue, envious of others. What does this have to do with rejecting God?"

*God, our Creator, gave us life, and so defined who we are, our worth, and calling. It's in our relationship with God that we have genuine significance and security.

*But in rejecting God and his authority, we've cut ourselves from him. This means we now have to define our identity, worth, security on our own.

*But we're not able to provide this security and significance for ourselves. So we've become orphans by choice where we're left with an unmet yearning to be known and loved.

"I'm a good person. I haven't murdered anyone or stole anything or cheated anyone."

*The core/root of sin is relational, living life with God cut out, to reject God and to become our own "gods" over our lives.

*And from that root are the manifestations of this choice to be our own boss, and determine our own version of right and wrong, like lying (to appear innocent), murder (to come out on top), theft (to get what I want), cheating, etc.

*The other "sins" that we notice are just an outward symptom of the internal disease that is going on inside

What does 1 John 1:8-10 say about sin?

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

What can lead us to think we are good or nice people?

Outward actions or the lack of 'bad' acts.

What questions should we ask ourselves to understand our true nature?

Who am I inside? Who am I when no one is looking? What will emerge if there are no negative consequences to my actions?

What happens when we remove the facade of politeness?

We may cringe at what we see within ourselves.

How would we feel if others knew our inward thoughts and motivations?

We might feel exposed or ashamed.

What does God know about us?

God knows what's on the inside and isn't fooled by outward appearances.

What does God want to address in us?

God wants to address us for who we really are.

What does Romans 3:10-12, 23 say about righteousness?

None is righteous, no, not one; all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

What does Mark 7:21-23 say about what makes a person unclean?

What comes out of man is what makes him unclean.

What should we consider about our inner thoughts?

We should consider what's beneath the surface and relate to the list of unclean thoughts.

"I'm a nice person, I haven't murdered or done anything really wrond, and I can't see myself as a sinner." How could you respond? (pg.74-76)

*1 John 1:8-10 if we day we have no sin...

*We only manage to think we are good/nice because of outward actions - or the lack of "bad" acts

*Need to ask, "who am I inside? who am I when no one is looking? what will emerge if no negative consequences to my actions?"

*Take away the hiddenness/secrecy, facade of politeness, we cringe at what we see...

*How would we feel if people knew out inward thoughts, motivations?

*God knows what's on the inside & isn't fooled by outward appearance

*God wants to address us for who we really are

*Romans 3:10-12. 23 - None is righteous, no, not one...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

*Mark 7:21-23 "What comes out of man is what makes him unclean." Consider what's beneath the surface..can't we relate to this list?

What would you say to someone who asks, "If free will is what made evil possible, then why have free will at all?"

Free will is necessary because love must be freely chosen. Real love requires the ability to choose, and that also means having the possibility of rejecting God. Free will makes genuine love possible. Evil became possble because humans missued their freedom, not because freedom itself is bad.

Explain (with examples) why some kind of "forbidden fruit" is necessary for any meaningful relationship.

"Forbidden Fruit" - is the boundary that exists in every relationship

Soldier --> Desertation

Marriage --> Adultery

Friendship --> Betrayl

Explain why all sin is ultimately against God

It's a rejection to God's authority

Why is idolatry a consequence of the Fall?

Humans were created to worship God. Agter rejecting Him in the Fall, people did not stop worshiping - they simply worshiped something else

Whate are the 2 types of alienations that occur as a result of our rejection of God, and what part of Genesis 3 & 4 can you provide to support each?

w/others --> Genesis 4:1-10

w/ourselves --> Genesis 3:7

According to Nietzche, without God, what will take His place?

Nietzsche believes that after "God is dead," man would become his own God

Define conventionalism and provide two counterarguments against it.

Conventionalism: the belief that right and wrong are determined by what society or culture agrees upon.

Solzhenitsyn writes:

"But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being"