Redemption through Messiah

Introduction

To start today, I would like to read a quote from David Stern:

The Jewish New Testament Commentary Romans, Chapter 5

This is one of the great theological passages in the Bible; but because upon it Christians have erected the doctrine of original sin, it is for Jewish people one of the most problematic.

Let us start by reading this passage, and then we will go through it in detail: Rom. 5:12-21

Romans 5:12–21 TLV

So then, just as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, in the same way death spread to all men because all sinned. For up until the Torah, sin was in the world; but sin does not count as sin when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in a manner similar to the violation of Adam, who is a pattern of the One to come. But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if many died because of the transgression of one man, how much more did the grace of God overflow to many through the gift of one Man—Yeshua the Messiah. Moreover, the gift is not like what happened through the one who sinned. For on the one hand, the judgment from one violation resulted in condemnation; but on the other hand, the gracious gift following many transgressions resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s transgression, death reigned through the one, how much more shall those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Messiah Yeshua. So then, through the transgression of one, condemnation came to all men; likewise, through the righteousness of one came righteousness of life to all men. For just as through the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man, many will be set right forever. Now the Torah came in so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace overflowed even more— so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness, to eternal life through Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

The First Adam

Paul starts out this section by discussing the origin of sin in the world. Paul here teaches that it was Adam who sinned, not Eve. Adonai had given the commandment to Adam. In 1 Tim 2:13-14 Paul writes that:

1 Timothy 2:13–14 TLV

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Also Adam was not deceived but the woman—being deceived, she fell into transgression.

David Stern points out that:

The Jewish New Testament Commentary 1 Timothy, Chapter 2

Sha’ul does not say that Eve sinned, but that she became involved in the transgression (literally, “has become in transgression”), which I take to mean that she became mixed up in Adam’s transgression. At

In verse 13 we see that prior to Moses and the giving of the Torah, sin did exist, but it was not counted against the people because they did not know the Torah. At the same time, there were natural laws that were recognized by everyone and Adonai judged the world based upon the breaking of these laws by sending the Flood in Noah’s day. But this gets to an interesting discussion. Just because you don’t know the law, does that let you off the hook when you break it?

There was a time after I first arrived back in Australia where I was driving and talking on my mobile phone. The the police pulled me over, and asked me why I was talking on my mobile phone, I told him that in Texas where I had just come from, it was acceptable to do that. Do you think that the police gave me a ticket? Yes, he did. So there is a responsibility on people to find out what the law requires, and follow it.

Paul points out that death reigned from Adam to Moses. Just because the Torah (law) had not been formally given, we still see how sin leads to death. An example is shown in Gen. 4:6-7 between Cain and Abel.

Genesis 4:6–7 TLV

Then Adonai said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, it will lift. But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the doorway. Its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

Here is a question, murder had never been outlawed, but do you think that Cain knew that it was wrong to murder his brother?

Let’s keep reading in Gen. 4:8-12

Genesis 4:8–12 TLV

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then Adonai said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” “I don’t know,” he said. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Then He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground. So now, cursed are you from the ground which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. As often as you work the ground, it will not yield its crops to you again. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Adonai brings judgement on Cain, and by this we can see that God still held humanity to a certain standard, and Cain knew that his actions were wrong.

God’s Gracious Gift

We now get to the third kal v’chomer (light and the heavy) argument, where Paul points out that just as Adam’s transgression caused many people to die, how much more so would many be given life through the obedience of Yeshua the Messiah! This is the reality that we all get to experience. We see that by putting out trust in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua of Nazareth, we now get to experience life, and an overflow of grace and a gift of righteousness!

The sin of Adam produced death that we all experience, but the gracious gift of eternal life that is found in Yeshua our Messiah will far out-weigh the negative effects of what Adam did.

Picture of Eternity

Now in verses 20 and 21, Paul summaries all that he has been saying since Chapter 3 (Rom. 5:20-21)

Romans 5:20–21 TLV

Now the Torah came in so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace overflowed even more— so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness, to eternal life through Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

Craig Keener, when discussing this passage states that:

Emphasizing the superiority of [Messiah] over Adam, Paul repeatedly stresses “grace” and the “free gift” (eight times in 5:15–17, and twice in 5:20–21). Righteousness is not earned, but bestowed; those who are in [Messiah] should live righteousness, but because of God’s gift rather than in order to achieve it. In contrast to death reigning through Adam’s transgression, those who are in [Messiah] will reign in life (5:17).

Analysis & Application

I started out today by quoting from David Stern about: The doctrine of original sin, and how it is problematic for Jewish people.In reality, hundreds of books, if not thousands, have been written on the subject of Original Sin, and obviously I do not have time to go into all of the arguments. What I will try to do is give a short explanation of what it is, who started it, what some alternatives are and where I currently stand on it.

Who started the idea?

As with any other doctrine, you will probably be able to find a variety of answers to these questions. Although Paul is credited with the concept, and this passage we are studying today is used as the proof text, the term “Original Sin” was first used by Augustine (who lived between 354 - 430 A.D.). My wife, Eleanor, wrote a paper on this topic and pointed out that a close examination of the Scriptures may not necessarily support the extent to which Augustine took this doctrine.

What is Original Sin?

So what exactly is the doctrine of Original Sin as explained by Augustine?

The Jewish New Testament Commentary Romans, Chapter 5

Original sin involves two components:

The idea of original pollution means that not only do we commit sinful deeds, but we also have sinful inclinations and have a sinful nature. In essence, it means that no one has the ability to do good, because all of our deeds are corrupt as is our nature. This original pollution is transmitted from Adam to all his descendants by propagation.

The idea of original guilt refers to how Adam’s first sin, which was to rebel against God’s commandment, produces a guilt by which all people are now subject to. This is a type of collective guilt, where we are now all guilty by reason of association, because we are born into a sin-filled family.

Jewish Concept of Yetzer

So, what is the thought within Rabbinical Judaism that contradicts the doctrine of Original Sin?

The word יֵצֶר yēṣer (also spelled yetzer) is translated as thought, impulse, tendency, or inclination, and comes from the Semitic root “to form, shape, fashion,” and can even mean “potter,” as a potter is one who forms or shapes clay. The yēṣer is “our inclination… the thing formed by man, his thought or purpose.” It refers to man’s desires, which are usually contrary to God’s law.

The idea comes from the passage we read in Genesis 5 with Cain, and how Adonai spoke of sin crouching at the door and wanting to over power him. The word is first used in in Gen 6:5

Genesis 6:5 TLV

Then Adonai saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil all the time.

This idea of the evil inclination is also based upon passages like Deut. 30:19

Deuteronomy 30:19 TLV

“I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live,

Does Original Sin go beyond Scripture?

Did Augustine simply make this up, or did Paul make it up without any basis? Well, let us have a look at some of the Hebrew Scriptures. In Num. 15:28 it says:

Numbers 15:28 TLV

The kohen is to make atonement before Adonai for that person who erred by sinning without intent, and he is to be forgiven when atonement has been made for him.

So here we have people who sinned without meaning to. What about Lev. 4:14?

Leviticus 4:14 TLV

When the sin that they committed becomes known, then the community is to offer a young bull for a sin offering, and bring it before the Tent of Meeting.

We see that the there are sins of ignorance and trespass offerings for sins of omission. What about when King David writes in Ps. 19:13

Psalm 19:13 TLV

Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me of hidden faults.

A fault is not necessarily an act, it could also be a state of being, and in this case it seems to be hidden even from King David, otherwise why wouldn’t he simply ask for forgiveness? This passage also speaks of cleansing, or washing which does seem to show that sin is a type of pollution, or dirtiness from which we need cleaning. This is then confirmed in Ps. 51:4

Psalm 51:4 TLV

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Or how about Isa. 1:16-18

Isaiah 1:16–18 TLV

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Put away the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” “Come now, let us reason together,” says Adonai. “Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they will become like wool.

Or how about Jer. 17:9

Jeremiah 17:9 TLV

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and incurable—who can know it?

All of these passages seem to point out that there is something seriously wrong with humanity, more than simply an inclination, or a leaning, toward doing evil that can be easily overcome.

Two Questions of Rabbinical Judaism

So this leads to two questions for Rabbinical Judaism.

Why, with all the Hebrew Scriptures we just quoted, do the Rabbis not accept the concept of Original Sin?

In its effort to avoid the necessity of accepting Yeshua’s atoning death, has Judaism created an image of man that is stronger then he actually is?

Now these are actual questions, for which I do not have the answers.

Where Does that Leave Us?

We know from Scripture that each person is responsible for their own sins, as we read in Eze. 18:2-4

Ezekiel 18:2–4 TLV

“What do you mean by using this proverb in the land of Israel saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, so the children’s teeth are set on edge?’ As I live”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“you will never again use this proverb in Israel. Behold, every living soul is Mine—the soul of father as well as the soul of son—both are Mine. Behold, the soul who sins is the one who will die.

And yet at the same time, we are all physically dying, because of Adam’s sin. We also read earlier in Romans 3:22-23

Romans 3:22–23 TLV

For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Paul has made his case directly from the Hebrew Scriptures that there no one righteous, not one.

As it said in Ps. 143:2

Psalm 143:2 TLV

Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for in Your eyes no one living is righteous.

So do all people sin because the were born as sinners, or are all people sinners because they have all sinned? I lean (pun intended) toward the latter. There is no doubt that everyone has sinned, but were we sinners when we were conceived, or did we learn to sin? I can say that I never taught my children to lie, but they all lied to get out of trouble. And if I perfectly keep all of the commandments of Adonai, never breaking one, I will still die because of the sin of Adam. Regardless of how morally perfect I am, my physical body will still break down.

I am bound to the same fate as Adam, whether I like it or not.

But by the mercy and grace of Adonai, He has provided a way for me to be forgiven and made whole. Let me conclude by reading 1 John 1:5-2:6

1 John 1:5–2:6 TLV

Now this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you—that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and keep walking in the darkness, we are lying and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of His Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. My children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Intercessor with the Father—the righteous Messiah Yeshua. He is the atonement for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world. Now we know that we have come to know Him by this—if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God is truly made perfect. We know that we are in Him by this— whoever claims to abide in Him must walk just as He walked.