Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Question 15:
Q: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the
estate wherein they were created?
A: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were
created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Years ago, one of the boys was given a plastic toy, which when opened revealed another of the same design, yet smaller and of a different color. That one in turn yielded still a third, and the third a fourth, and so on until there were at least seven similar toys which all nested together. With this principle in mind we are ready to hear Dr Watson's argument for a multiplicity of sins contained in the one sin of eating the forbidden fruit.
This single sin which humanistic mankind only publishes through cartoons amidst ignoble accusations against the God of heaven who would even allow any temptation, is better understood in the totality of Watson' s analysis. In this one fruit, our commentator finds many seeds, which will display the multitude of wickedness contained in every sin as well. Knowing these facets, we are better able to appreciate the justice and righteousness in God's punishment and condemnation.
The first sin is incredulity. Now there is a word which my students demonstrate but little understand. Webster's defines the word as being "unwilling to accept what is offered as true". I have often taken the example of wild Turkey eggs where you can be fined thousands of dollars and even given time in jail if you purposely destroy them, to illustrate the pro-life position that a fertilized egg has potential and deserves the protection of law. Yes someone once said, wild turkeys are an endangered species, but mankind isn't, so their worldly opinion of a right to choose is maintained. In a similar way, our first parents did not believe that God had spoken truth when he warned them against taking and eating the forbidden truth. In fact, their incredulity is worsened by their acceptance of the great lie of Satan whom they believed instead of their God of creation.
We see how common this incredulity is when so very many members of the human race refuse to believe that Jesus Christ came to die for their sins, even their sin of unbelief. They would rather believe Satan and all of his tall tales which Jesus correctly identifies as lies, more lies and never ever a word of truth because Satan cannot and will not tell the truth. Even in our political climate today we see this incredulity at work and wonder how the liar's club can maintain any respect let alone their claims to power and influence.
The second sin is unthankfulness. When we consider the flawed beauties of this earth, the assorted and abundant foods, the joys of family and relationships, how many people are willing to give thanks to the Father of heaven for all the rich blessings they have? How much more can we see in Adam and Eve's rejection of God's greater goodness of placing them in a paradise. Someone I know purchased a vehicle for his teenager who just turned sixteen. It wasn't much, but it was a much as he could afford. Imagine his distress when the teenager bad mouthed the vehicle and claimed that he shouldn't appear in public in such a rice rocket when everyone else had a much better vehicle to drive. Well, I know plenty of teenagers who have no vehicle to drive and precious few opportunities to come by one until they grow up and leave home to earn their own way. The ingratitude that we see in Adam and Eve's greater unthankfulness helps us to understand the sinfulness in believing that God owes us something for just being human.
The third sin is discontent. One of the least savory aspects of computerization is the ongoing planned obsolescence which drives the market of replacement products far more quickly than is economical. The seeds of discontent are multiplied on purpose in the whole electronic industry to make money. In my short lifetime I have collected LP records, cassettes and now CD's as well. Of course I held onto the records until it became almost impossible to repair the players. I also held on to a little Apple IIc computer for almost ten years before I was finally tempted to upgrade. Yet how easily these industries lead us on. We are by nature discontent and always want something more than we have.
How easily Eve was persuaded that she could be like God. Our own feminists in this country are beginning to prove Eve's weakness. Having attained equality, they are going on to get what they really want - dominance and total control. I have met several of these creatures who have become comfortable in their goddess like use of power and responsibilities. Of course, the male leaders at the turn of the last century unleashed an unnecessary war that consumed their empires, kingdoms and ancient ruling houses, all because they too wanted more and more and more.
The fourth sin is pride. Adam aspired to omniscience, an all knowing knowledge which he supposed was contained in the forbidden fruit. "you shall be as gods", the devil promised. A few years ago I canceled a subscription to a book club because the whole focus of their reading program began to change to new age themes. When the chosen book of the month focused on unleashing the goddess within you, I bailed out and told them exactly why I didn't want any more of their books. In a college art course, I once got so fed up with Greek and Roman humanism in their art forms that I finally refused to do an assignment because I finally understood why the early Christians destroyed temples, statues and paintings. In the same way I can understand the Reformed limitations on the proper uses of art in worship and education. Too much of a focus on humanistic achievements in the art world can really truly keep us from seeing the beauty of God's greater creation.
A fifth sin is disobedience. In the medieval and early industrial society it was always plain that the worker awed allegiance to the Lord of the Manor or the Factory owner for the work and wealth that was made available and shared. Whole continents have been changed by these cooperative arrangements. We have a public and private wealth that would not have been possible if these relationships had not come out of Western Civilization. Part of the arrangement in those economic prospects is that the worker accomplishes the desires of the employer. When these simple structures break down, so does the economy as well. How much greater must we see Adam's disobedience? Watson tells us that God gave Adam his allowance, therefore it was but right he should give God his allegiance. Do we do much better than Adam in this regard?
The sixth sin is curiosity. Adam meddled with that which was out of his assignment. The ancient Greek's evolved and expanded the fall of man in their tale of curiosity whereby all the wickedness that afflicts us was turned loose from Pandora's box which was supposed to have been kept closed. I once heard of a computer virus which was contained in a program named "Don't Open". Well can we appreciate how widely and quickly such a virus could multiply and expand!
This curiosity is related to the seventh sin of wantonness. The movie Hawaii has one scene in it where a missionary and the queen are discussing the commandment against adultery. She asks politely which adultery should she legislate against. The missionary is dumbfounded until she explains all twenty-six types which her culture is familiar with. She explains that if she lists all twenty-six, many of her subjects would want to experiment with those they were unfamiliar with. Even Hugh Hefner, after a life of defining and encouraging wantonness, agreed in a media interview that not every relationship that was possible should be exploited. In Adam's case here, he had every tree for food, beauty and usefulness. Yet, his appetite grew to the point that he must have every tree, even the one forbidden!
The eighth sin in this package is sacrilege. The tree of knowledge was set apart from Adam's use. The knowledge of good and of evil was to have been kept for higher beings alone. Several media commentators of late have begun to argue the principle that the welfare system is a type of sacrilege. The care of the poor, downtrodden and sick is really the work of Christ's Church. And for the State to step in, take it over and mismanage it so badly is a gross form of sacrilege. In fact in our time, welfare is so mismanaged that it is extremely difficult for Christians to even compete.
The ninth sin contained here in Adam's sin is murder. "All of his posterity were involved and wrapped up in him and he, by sinning as once destroyed all his posterity if free grace did not interpose." Now let us be careful here, grace is a great and merciful gift. God immediately sacrificed animal life to cloth and protect Adam and Eve so that they could look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. Once in a sermon I reported a rumor out of Russia that Nikita Kruschev may have repented of his great sins late in life before he passed away. He was directly and indirectly responsible for at least six million murders. I remember that some of you found that idea difficult to accept. How much more death and misery did Adam's sin cause? If we are willing to accept the reports that Roe of the notorious Roe v Wade abortion case in 1973 has repented and believed in Christ, should we not be able to accept the probable salvation of Adam and Eve through their greater descendent and even the possible salvation of a Kruschev as well?
The last sin here in the original sin is presumption. How often do we sin knowing full well that grace and mercy are ours? We presume that God will continue to forgive us even when we make no effort to avoid temptation or struggle with our favorite sins. Adam presumed that he would not die and that God would reverse his decree than punish him. I always get so upset when modern educators, who should know better, throw out the rules that all have agreed to because it is more important that a student get their diploma than that they should learn an absolutely essential lesson in character development. God would not be mocked, he would not give up His holiness and righteousness in order to undo Adam's great sin. No indeed that would be out of the character of our God who is always and forever the same.
But he did surprise Adam and all the rest who would relearn to trust and obey Him. And that surprise was on the cross where God Himself in Christ died in order that we might live forever in and through Christ Jesus. I suppose, a person could become downcast, depressed and fainthearted at hearing the great and gross nature of the sin that we all share with Adam and Eve. However, let us consider these ten sins caught up in the one sin, let us learn to appreciate how great and wise our Father in heaven is to have provided a way out for Adam and all his children who belong to Christ. As we appreciate the utter depths and depravity of sin, let us consider the heights and great mercy of grace given to us in Jesus Christ.
Resources Used:
(PCA) The Confession of Faith: The Shorter Catechism.
Watson, Thomas. A Body of Divinity, 10 Commandments & Lord's
Prayer
Places Preached:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 132049 -- Columbus, OH 43213-8049
WSC015 25 Aug 96
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