Post by Jesse Morrell on Apr 24, 2010 12:15:51 GMT -5
Jesus Christ was a Son of Adam
The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him, and fell with him in the first transgression.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q/A 16) Thomas Aquinas said that “a human being begets descendants as in the human being’s nature…. And so a parent transmits to descendants the first sin that corrupted the nature…. (Compendium of Theology by Thomas Aquinas, translated by Richard J. Regan, published by Oxford University Press, p. 149) Wayne Grudem said that “we also inherited a sinful nature because of Adam’s sin” (Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, published by Zondervan, p. 214) Lewis Chafer said, “The Augustinian or realistic theory holds that the connection between Adam and his posterity was such, that by his individual transgression he vitiated human nature, and transmitted it in this corrupt and guilty state to his descendants by physical generation… Adam’s individual transgression resulted in a sinful nature…” Lewis Chafer (Systematic Theology, published by Kregel Publications, p. 311) The volume “A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages” states, “Original sin, according to Anselm, is the sinfulness, or guiltiness, which each descendent of Adam incurs at his origin. For at his origin he inherits a sinful human nature. That is, when Adam sinned personally his personal sin corrupted his human nature, with the result that the nature inherited by his progeny was also a corrupt nature.” (A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages, Edited by Jorge J. E. Gracia and Timothy B. Noone, published by Wiley-Blackwell, p. 143) Louis Berkhof explains how certain theologians have taught that, “Adam suffered the loss of original righteousness, and thereby incurred the divine displeasure. As a result all his descendants are deprived of original righteousness, and as such the objects of divine wrath”. (Systematic Theology, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, p. 238) S. Michael Houdmann said, “Because of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience, sin has been an ‘inheritance’ for all their descendants…. When Adam fell into sin, the result was every one of his descendants also being ‘infected’ with sin.” (Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, published by WinePress Publishing, p. 378) John Rodman Williams said that “we are all heirs of Adam, and thereby inherit his sinful nature. What Adam became through the Fall has been passed down to all his successors” John Rodman Williams (Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective, published by Zondervan, p. 270)
It has already been shown earlier in this volume that Adam did not have the power to change his nature nor the nature of anyone else, neither could sin itself change human nature, but that only God, who is the God of Nature, has the power to create and change human nature. This point does not need to be readdressed here. The question to be dealt with here is whether or not “all” the “successors” or “all” the “descendants” of Adam inherit his sinfulness and damnation. ... See More
We know with absolute proof from the scriptures that sin, guilt, and damnation is not heredity, transmitted, or inherited from Adam to all of his posterity because Jesus Christ was a descendant of Adam and He was not born sinful, guilty, or damned. On this point, it must first be shown that Jesus Christ was indeed a descendant of Adam. Consider the following arguments.
Jesus Christ was an offspring or descendant of Abraham. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took of him the seed of Abraham” (Heb. 2:16). Since Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham, this helps us to understand why God said to Abraham “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 26:4). The children of Abraham are the “brethren” of Jesus Christ, because He too was a child of Abraham. “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren…” (Acts 3:22). “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren…” (Heb. 2:14). If Jesus was not a descendant of Abraham, He could not be called the “brethren” of Abraham’s offspring.
Jesus Christ was also the offspring or descendant of David. “Hath not the scripture saith, that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, were David was? (Jn. 7:42). “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8). “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book…” (Rev. 5:5). Jesus testified of his own heredity when he said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the Churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star…” (Rev. 22:16).
When the Bible says “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Mat. 1:1), the word “generation” literally means “source” “origin” lineage” “progeny” and “ancestry” (Thayer’s Definitions, e-sword). The Scriptures also says, “… Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (Mat. 1:16). These many passages that teach that Jesus Christ was of the posterity of Abraham and David and the child of Mary have very great theological implications. What can we conclude from these passages but that if Jesus Christ was of the root, offspring, or seed of Mary, Abraham, and David, then He was also of the root, offspring, or seed of Adam, since Mary, Abraham, and David were descendants of Adam? This logical conclusion cannot be avoided granted the premise given to us in Scripture.
• Jesus Christ was a descendant of Mary, David, and Abraham
• Mary, David, and Abraham were descendants of Adam and Eve.
• Therefore Jesus Christ was a descendant of Adam and Eve
Regarding the passages that reference Christ as the offspring of Abraham and David, Dr. Zacharius Ursinus said, “The argument which is drawn from these declarations made in relation to the Messiah, is most convincing; for if the humanity which he assumed was from the seed of Abraham, and of David, then he had a real human nature… Christ took this upon himself, and not a nature created out of nothing, or bought down from heaven… The flesh of Christ is the flesh of Adam… ” (The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism, translated by George Washington Williard, published by Elm Street Printing Co, 1888 Edition, p. 209)
God’s own statements on this topic should forever settle this controversial issue. God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). This passage is understood to be prophetic of the incarnation of Jesus Christ and His victory over Satan. John Wesley noted, “A gracious promise is here made of Christ as the deliverer of fallen man from the power of Satan… Notice is here given them… concerning Christ… His incarnation, that he should be the seed of the woman” (John Wesley, Commentary on Gen. 3:15). If Jesus Christ was of the seed of Eve, He was necessarily of the seed of Adam, because Eve could not independent of Adam have any offspring at all. No passage could make it any clearer than this one that Jesus Christ was in fact a descendant of Adam and Eve through his human mother Mary.
The ancestors of an individual on their mother side is no less their ancestors than the ancestors they have on their fathers side. The ancestors of an individual on their fathers side is no more their ancestors than the ancestors they have on their mother’s side. The ancestors a person has through their mother and through their father are both equally their ancestors. Therefore the Adamic lineage or heredity of Jesus Christ is by no means nullified, negated, or excluded by virtue of his virgin birth. Through God was His Heavenly Father, His ancestors through His mother were legitimate ancestors. Otherwise His ancestry from Abraham and David could also not be spoken of in scripture. Christ was a descendant of Abraham and David through His mother despite His virgin birth, and likewise, Christ was a descendent of Adam and Eve through His mother despite His virgin birth. His miraculous birth did not somehow make his human ancestry illegitimate. Jesus was both human and divine, being born of God and born of man. His virgin birth made Him both the son of God and also the son of man.
The term “son of man” is actually a phrased used one hundred and eight times in Old Testament. In Hebrew the phrase is son of “'âdâm”. It is interesting that the Hebrew word for man is Adam. Therefore phrase “son of man” actually means “son of Adam”. That is because in order to be a member of mankind you must be a child of Adam. If a person is a son of man then they are a child of Adam and if they are not a child of Adam then they are not a son of man. The New Testament applied this Old Testament phrase “son of man” to Jesus Christ eighty five times. This phrase is used in all four Gospels and in the Epistles in reference to Christ. Jesus Himself often used this phrase in reference to Himself. What could Jesus mean by this phrase but that He was truly a part of mankind? Or that He was truly a son of Adam through his mother? If Jesus was not a son of Adam then He was not truly a part of mankind. If Jesus did not take upon Himself human nature then He was not part of the human race. It was absolutely essential for Jesus Christ to become a descendent of Adam and to take upon Himself human nature if He was going to actually be a part of mankind or the human race.
• Being a child of Mary put Jesus Christ into a particular family. ... See More
• Being a descendant of David put Jesus Christ into a lineage of kings.
• Being a descendant of Abraham made Jesus Christ a Jew and an Israelite.
• Being a child of Adam made Jesus Christ a human being that was part of the human race.
Some have rightly recognized that Jesus inherited human nature through His mother, but also falsely assumed that human nature was sinful, and therefore concluded that Jesus Christ inherited a sinful nature through his mother. Abraham Tucker said, “the sinful nature of Jesus; for that he did partake of a sinful nature by his birth from the woman, I see no reason nor scruple to doubt… He was a descendant of Adam, and when it is declared that in Adam all have sinned, no exception is made of him…” Abraham Tucker (The Light of Nature Persued, Volume Four, published by Hilliard and Brown, 1831 Edition, p. 109). The reasoning on this point is as follows:
• The nature transmitted from Adam to his descendents is a sinful nature
• Jesus was a descendent of Adam and inherited human nature from His mother
• Therefore Jesus inherited a sinful nature
If you grant their premise you cannot avoid their conclusion. But the fault in their logic is the presupposition that human nature, or the human constitution and composition, is itself sinful. They come to a wrong conclusion because they start with a wrong premise. They should have reasoned the following:
• Jesus was a descendant or posterity of Adam
• Jesus was not formed or born with a sinful nature
• Therefore a sinful nature is not transmitted from Adam to all of his descendants or posterity
The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him, and fell with him in the first transgression.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q/A 16) Thomas Aquinas said that “a human being begets descendants as in the human being’s nature…. And so a parent transmits to descendants the first sin that corrupted the nature…. (Compendium of Theology by Thomas Aquinas, translated by Richard J. Regan, published by Oxford University Press, p. 149) Wayne Grudem said that “we also inherited a sinful nature because of Adam’s sin” (Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, published by Zondervan, p. 214) Lewis Chafer said, “The Augustinian or realistic theory holds that the connection between Adam and his posterity was such, that by his individual transgression he vitiated human nature, and transmitted it in this corrupt and guilty state to his descendants by physical generation… Adam’s individual transgression resulted in a sinful nature…” Lewis Chafer (Systematic Theology, published by Kregel Publications, p. 311) The volume “A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages” states, “Original sin, according to Anselm, is the sinfulness, or guiltiness, which each descendent of Adam incurs at his origin. For at his origin he inherits a sinful human nature. That is, when Adam sinned personally his personal sin corrupted his human nature, with the result that the nature inherited by his progeny was also a corrupt nature.” (A Companion to Philosophy in the Middle Ages, Edited by Jorge J. E. Gracia and Timothy B. Noone, published by Wiley-Blackwell, p. 143) Louis Berkhof explains how certain theologians have taught that, “Adam suffered the loss of original righteousness, and thereby incurred the divine displeasure. As a result all his descendants are deprived of original righteousness, and as such the objects of divine wrath”. (Systematic Theology, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, p. 238) S. Michael Houdmann said, “Because of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience, sin has been an ‘inheritance’ for all their descendants…. When Adam fell into sin, the result was every one of his descendants also being ‘infected’ with sin.” (Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered, published by WinePress Publishing, p. 378) John Rodman Williams said that “we are all heirs of Adam, and thereby inherit his sinful nature. What Adam became through the Fall has been passed down to all his successors” John Rodman Williams (Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective, published by Zondervan, p. 270)
It has already been shown earlier in this volume that Adam did not have the power to change his nature nor the nature of anyone else, neither could sin itself change human nature, but that only God, who is the God of Nature, has the power to create and change human nature. This point does not need to be readdressed here. The question to be dealt with here is whether or not “all” the “successors” or “all” the “descendants” of Adam inherit his sinfulness and damnation. ... See More
We know with absolute proof from the scriptures that sin, guilt, and damnation is not heredity, transmitted, or inherited from Adam to all of his posterity because Jesus Christ was a descendant of Adam and He was not born sinful, guilty, or damned. On this point, it must first be shown that Jesus Christ was indeed a descendant of Adam. Consider the following arguments.
Jesus Christ was an offspring or descendant of Abraham. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took of him the seed of Abraham” (Heb. 2:16). Since Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham, this helps us to understand why God said to Abraham “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 26:4). The children of Abraham are the “brethren” of Jesus Christ, because He too was a child of Abraham. “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren…” (Acts 3:22). “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren…” (Heb. 2:14). If Jesus was not a descendant of Abraham, He could not be called the “brethren” of Abraham’s offspring.
Jesus Christ was also the offspring or descendant of David. “Hath not the scripture saith, that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, were David was? (Jn. 7:42). “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8). “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book…” (Rev. 5:5). Jesus testified of his own heredity when he said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the Churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star…” (Rev. 22:16).
When the Bible says “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Mat. 1:1), the word “generation” literally means “source” “origin” lineage” “progeny” and “ancestry” (Thayer’s Definitions, e-sword). The Scriptures also says, “… Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (Mat. 1:16). These many passages that teach that Jesus Christ was of the posterity of Abraham and David and the child of Mary have very great theological implications. What can we conclude from these passages but that if Jesus Christ was of the root, offspring, or seed of Mary, Abraham, and David, then He was also of the root, offspring, or seed of Adam, since Mary, Abraham, and David were descendants of Adam? This logical conclusion cannot be avoided granted the premise given to us in Scripture.
• Jesus Christ was a descendant of Mary, David, and Abraham
• Mary, David, and Abraham were descendants of Adam and Eve.
• Therefore Jesus Christ was a descendant of Adam and Eve
Regarding the passages that reference Christ as the offspring of Abraham and David, Dr. Zacharius Ursinus said, “The argument which is drawn from these declarations made in relation to the Messiah, is most convincing; for if the humanity which he assumed was from the seed of Abraham, and of David, then he had a real human nature… Christ took this upon himself, and not a nature created out of nothing, or bought down from heaven… The flesh of Christ is the flesh of Adam… ” (The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism, translated by George Washington Williard, published by Elm Street Printing Co, 1888 Edition, p. 209)
God’s own statements on this topic should forever settle this controversial issue. God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). This passage is understood to be prophetic of the incarnation of Jesus Christ and His victory over Satan. John Wesley noted, “A gracious promise is here made of Christ as the deliverer of fallen man from the power of Satan… Notice is here given them… concerning Christ… His incarnation, that he should be the seed of the woman” (John Wesley, Commentary on Gen. 3:15). If Jesus Christ was of the seed of Eve, He was necessarily of the seed of Adam, because Eve could not independent of Adam have any offspring at all. No passage could make it any clearer than this one that Jesus Christ was in fact a descendant of Adam and Eve through his human mother Mary.
The ancestors of an individual on their mother side is no less their ancestors than the ancestors they have on their fathers side. The ancestors of an individual on their fathers side is no more their ancestors than the ancestors they have on their mother’s side. The ancestors a person has through their mother and through their father are both equally their ancestors. Therefore the Adamic lineage or heredity of Jesus Christ is by no means nullified, negated, or excluded by virtue of his virgin birth. Through God was His Heavenly Father, His ancestors through His mother were legitimate ancestors. Otherwise His ancestry from Abraham and David could also not be spoken of in scripture. Christ was a descendant of Abraham and David through His mother despite His virgin birth, and likewise, Christ was a descendent of Adam and Eve through His mother despite His virgin birth. His miraculous birth did not somehow make his human ancestry illegitimate. Jesus was both human and divine, being born of God and born of man. His virgin birth made Him both the son of God and also the son of man.
The term “son of man” is actually a phrased used one hundred and eight times in Old Testament. In Hebrew the phrase is son of “'âdâm”. It is interesting that the Hebrew word for man is Adam. Therefore phrase “son of man” actually means “son of Adam”. That is because in order to be a member of mankind you must be a child of Adam. If a person is a son of man then they are a child of Adam and if they are not a child of Adam then they are not a son of man. The New Testament applied this Old Testament phrase “son of man” to Jesus Christ eighty five times. This phrase is used in all four Gospels and in the Epistles in reference to Christ. Jesus Himself often used this phrase in reference to Himself. What could Jesus mean by this phrase but that He was truly a part of mankind? Or that He was truly a son of Adam through his mother? If Jesus was not a son of Adam then He was not truly a part of mankind. If Jesus did not take upon Himself human nature then He was not part of the human race. It was absolutely essential for Jesus Christ to become a descendent of Adam and to take upon Himself human nature if He was going to actually be a part of mankind or the human race.
• Being a child of Mary put Jesus Christ into a particular family. ... See More
• Being a descendant of David put Jesus Christ into a lineage of kings.
• Being a descendant of Abraham made Jesus Christ a Jew and an Israelite.
• Being a child of Adam made Jesus Christ a human being that was part of the human race.
Some have rightly recognized that Jesus inherited human nature through His mother, but also falsely assumed that human nature was sinful, and therefore concluded that Jesus Christ inherited a sinful nature through his mother. Abraham Tucker said, “the sinful nature of Jesus; for that he did partake of a sinful nature by his birth from the woman, I see no reason nor scruple to doubt… He was a descendant of Adam, and when it is declared that in Adam all have sinned, no exception is made of him…” Abraham Tucker (The Light of Nature Persued, Volume Four, published by Hilliard and Brown, 1831 Edition, p. 109). The reasoning on this point is as follows:
• The nature transmitted from Adam to his descendents is a sinful nature
• Jesus was a descendent of Adam and inherited human nature from His mother
• Therefore Jesus inherited a sinful nature
If you grant their premise you cannot avoid their conclusion. But the fault in their logic is the presupposition that human nature, or the human constitution and composition, is itself sinful. They come to a wrong conclusion because they start with a wrong premise. They should have reasoned the following:
• Jesus was a descendant or posterity of Adam
• Jesus was not formed or born with a sinful nature
• Therefore a sinful nature is not transmitted from Adam to all of his descendants or posterity