Ch 2 The Fall and the Promise of

Ch. 2: The Fall and the Promise of a Savior

Creation and De-Creation § At creation Adam and Eve were gifted with Original Holiness and Original Justice. § That means they were created to share in God’s life and to live in happiness.

• However, temptation by Satan lead to the original sin, the first personal sin committed by human beings. § Adam and Eve sinned by preferring themselves to God, disobeying him and failing to trust in him.

Discussion: God created human beings to live with him in peace and happiness. Why do you think the first humans turned away from God?

Was Original Sin a Historical Event? § Though the story of Genesis 3 uses figural language and should not be read as a historical account, it is important to maintain that a real historical event lies behind it.

The Effects of the Original Sin § The consequences of the first personal sin were immediate and prolific. § Those consequences remain a part of our lives today. This fallen state is Original Sin.

The Consequences of the Original Sin § loss of Original Holiness and Original Justice § disunity within the individual, among individuals, between people and creation, and between people and God § having to endure painful labor in order to survive § the pains of childbirth § shame as a result of nakedness § death § However, though human nature was weakened by sin, it was not totally corrupted.

§ Genesis describes the spread of sin and its consequences as God’s judgment and mercy for humanity in three stories: § Cain and Abel § the Great Flood § the Tower of Babel

Discussion: Where do you see the effects of Original Sin in the world today?

God Remains Faithful in Times of Sin § From the moment of humanity’s first sin, God promises salvation. § The Protoevangelium recorded in Genesis 3: 15 announces God’s plans for a future Redeemer and a final victory over sin and death.

Covenants in the Old Testament § God renews this promise of salvation throughout history in “covenants” with his people. § A “covenant” is a solemn agreement God enters into with his people. § The Old Testament records 4 covenants:

1. God’s covenant with Noah § God renewed the command to Adam and Eve to multiply and subdue the earth and promised to never again destroy the world.

2. God’s Covenant with Abraham § God promised Abraham many descendents, land for his people, and that his people would be a blessing to all the nations.

3. God’s Covenant with Moses § God formed his chosen People, Israel, and gave them the Law by which to live.

4. God’s Covenant with King David § God promised David that the messiah would come from his line and that his kingdom would be everlasting.

Covenant Summary Covenant with Passage Promise Noah Gn 9: 8 -17 God will never destroy the earth again Abraham Gn 17: 1 -14 Land, progeny, blessing Moses Ex 24: 3 -8 Israel will be God’s people David 2 Sam 23: 5 Messiah will come from David’s line

God Remains Faithful to His Promises • God remained faithful to his promises in spite of the continued sinful behavior of the people and their leaders, including Israel’s kings.

§ God’s fidelity was exemplified in the message of repentance and hope preached by his prophets. § The prophet Amos condemned genocide, sexual excess, and violence and insisted that true worship of God required concrete actions of justice toward the weak and poor.

§ Jeremiah foretold punishment for Israel’s sins and promised that God would write a new covenant on their hearts.

§ Ezekiel warned of punishment for Israel’s sins and promised the coming of a messiah.

§ Isaiah criticized idolatry, empty sacrifice, human pride, and cruelty to the poor and foretold Israel’s immanent collapse. § He also promised that God would save Israel and spoke of a “suffering servant. ”

§ In Christ all the prophecies and covenants find their fulfillment. § Where Adam’s disobedience to God was the cause of our death, Christ’s obedience—even to the point of death on a cross—is the source of our salvation.