The fire in my hearth is burning brightly, devouring the office records of Ann's private practice, and making the inside of our house warm and friendly. The requirements of the federal regulations finally are proving to be useful. Preliminary notes: But to return to our previous post, I have been guilty, but have not sinned nor have I broken any known law. So, why am I guilty and what does it mean to me or to others? To be guilty, means in common parlance, to take the responsibility for some action or the lack of it.It means I am willing to answer for my actions, whatever nature of these actions may be. Guilt does not have a substance, yet it can be shifted, shared, removed, transferred, assumed, and it can be forgiven. Sin, on the other hand, becomes a history and it cannot be "undone." Sin, or for that matter any action, once it is committed becomes a historical fact and any one else if he claims to have done it, is guilty of telling a lie. In other words, he is adding to the problem and not solving it. In the Scriptures (TNK for Jews and Old Testament for Christians) the concept of sin is treated extensively and illustrated many times. A few propositional statements will be helpful. Where there is no law there cannot be a breaking of the law (sin). If the law is not somehow connected to a person, then he is not obligated to be obedient to that law. The connecting context between a law and a person, is an agreement, a pact, a covenant. Who and how can create, or enter into an agreement? SALVATION: An outline of components Justification: removal of separating obstacles, reconciliation, inseparable part of an agreement about salvation. Rebirth: return to the original condition, relationship, to the originator of life (God, parents) Sanctification: educational process to ensure one’s ability to function in life according to the rules of life. Glorification: Complete restoration, the return of man to his pristine condition. Immortalization: A removal of the necessity for man to die. As long as there is a free will, immortality (outside of God) is always conditional. A man has a free will, but never a free standing existence. Salvation is not MAN's accomplishment. Man’s status is always as a hired worker and never as an owner. Salvation is God’s gift to man. Gospel is not merely teaching, but primarily, the power of God needed for salvation. Teaching is part of the application of God’s power. The written record of the religion of Israel begins with the writings of Moses. Moses gave us the account of the creation of this world and of mankind. Though the information given us by Moses is schematic and very brief, he gave us enough information about the events at the beginning of this world, so that we can today, understand the original and subsequent relationship between the Creator and the creation. TREATIES Since Moses, in his short biography, tells us that he was brought up and educated in the royal household of Egypt, it is almost certain that he was acquainted with the diplomatic activities carried out by Pharaoh. There are two types of treaties according to the literary documents found in the Ancient Near-East, namely the Suzerain treaty, between a king and a vassal, and also the Parity treaties between kings (or people) of equal power, and position. The most complete literary form of a treaty would include the following components: 1) the preamble, 2) the historical prologue, 3) the stipulations, 4) the method of preservation of the document, 5) the list of "witnesses," 6) the curses and blessings, depending on whether the treaty was broken by one of the parties or whether the parties remained faithful to the treaty (c0venant). Not every covenant document has all six parts of the treaty since some of the treaties are mentioned in discussing only some of the stipulations formulated in the covenants. COVENANTS IN THE BIBLE The Suzerain treaty in the Bible is basically a covenant between God and various individuals, or groups of people. We thus speak of the Adamic covenant, before and after the Fall, the Noachian covenant between God and Noah after the Flood, the Abrahamic covenant (renewed several times), the Sinai Covenants, the covenant with Israel just before the death of Moses and their entrance into Canaan, and centuries later, the Davidic covenant etc… The Parity treaties mentioned in the Bible, include the agreement between Pharaoh and Abraham; Abimelech with Abraham and again with Isaac; Laban and Jacob. From the Mosaic record we learn that God created: this world, all the living creatures of this world and, having planted the garden of Eden, placed the man (Adam and Eve) in that garden. FIRST COVENANT After the creation, God made an agreement with Adam which outlined mutual relationship. This agreement spelled out: what God did, what God required of man, Adam's responsibilities and his limitations. This covenant also included a clause that specified the penalties for breaking it. We may sum up this covenant by the phrase: Obey and live, disobey and die! This type of a covenant may be called the "old (oldest) covenant" since it is the agreement between God and all of God's creation even from before the Fall (the entrance of sin). Adam had broken that covenant (sinned) and, properly, expected to die. SECOND (NEW) COVENANT We see in the story of the Fall, that it was God 'seeking' Adam, who was hiding (!). Subsequently, God entered into a new covenant with Adam and Eve, a covenant which provided for restoration. This was the good news for Adam and Eve, and many commentators, when dealing with the passage of Genesis 3:15, call this the Proto-Evangelium. In this new plan, God provides salvation and requires from man (Adam) acceptance and cooperation. God promised to provide the "Seed" who would destroy the one who tempted Adam to rebel against God and to break the old covenant. God would also put enmity between mankind and the Opponent (Satan) signifying that to Adam and Eve was restored the freedom to decide to which "party" they would show loyalty, to God, or to the Opponent (Satan). God also announced that He would destroy the Opponent. In making the first covenant with Adam, God told him that "the day you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die." If Adam were to live, a remedy for man's situation had to be provided that very day. How was it provided, and by whom? What is that “remedy” called? In one phrase we can call it, The Plan of Salvation. The next important question is: salvation from what? The information explaining the Plan of Salvation, God revealed to Adam and Eve at the time of the making of the “new” covenant. The information about this new covenant was presented in a very brief form (Gen 3:15). Centuries later it was more fully explained in the dealings of God with Abraham. How much can we learn from the Abrahamic covenants? Since God’s will (law) is unchangeable, therefore, it is and forever will remain: that any person who rebels against the Ruler, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, by willful disobedience, must die. The guilty person, the person that is deemed responsible for breaking the relationship with God, will die. From the record of Adam’s life we know that he did not die the day he “sinned.” Someone died the day Adam sinned, but who was it? All the information about the Plan of Salvation reached us in bits and pieces, scattered throughout the Bible. Not all at once, and not arranged systematically, but little by little. The form in which that information was given, includes all sorts of metaphors, similes, anecdotes, symbols, allegories and other literary devices. The main topic of the Plan of Salvation is the person of the Savior, for it is he who will do all things necessary for the salvation of man.We are talking here mainly of salvation from the guilt (responsibility) for Adam's rebellion against God's revealed will. ATONEMENT DEFINITION Atonement is an attempt to reconcile, to provide an agreement, to explain differences and finally, to bring some solution to the problem of existing differences. Atonement, in different areas of life, takes on different meaning and involves different procedures. ILLUSTRATIONS On the childhood level, we may illustrate these remedies/ procedures by recalling actions and such statements as: kiss and make up, spanking (disciplinary "punishment,"), go to your room, sit on the bottom stair and contemplate, no car for a week, etc… In the area of business matters, we use terms like: balance the books, reconcile the statement, and if there is a shortage, then the appropriate measure (action) takes place. Those persons who deal with the problem are called by different names (titles): Chief accountant, internal or external auditor, boss, supervisor, owner etc… Since the context of life varies from case to case we encounter either small or greater differences of opinions or behavior, therefore the actions (procedures) of those who have to deal with these problems, may affect a small area of life, or have global or even universal ramifications. Illustrations may make it easier to grasp the progressively more complex procedures used to accomplish the desired reconciliation (atonement).Further illustration will be helpful. Two or several children want to play with the same toy and one of them takes the toy and runs away with it, and then "protects" his possession with his fists. It is the parental duty to enter the arena. Parents look over the playground, investigate and make an reconciliation between the children. First, the "toy" is taken away from the "bully" and the children are given a careful instruction/education/explanation, and then are asked to continue to play peacefully and happily. Only if the "bully" is unwilling to cooperate, is he removed from the playground and/ or is subjected to further disciplinary actions. The subsequent disciplinary actions should include first of all explanation/education and then whatever is deemed necessary to make sure the problem is taken care of. Disciplinary actions are designed always to educate the person that created a discord, and restore the original conditions of peace and cooperation. Only, when all the disciplinary actions are rejected, is the "guilty" child (person) subjected to "punishment." In practical terms of life's situations it is often difficult to distinguish between education/discipline and punishment. We may be tempted to state that punishment is never redemptive, while disciplinary actions are always. Often we must ask, who has the right, or the duty, to interfere between two or more estranged parties/people? The answer is: the one who is in charge! We may begin with parents/teachers/officers of the law/judges/governors (kings, presidents, dictators, prime ministers, chiefs etc) and finally God. For a parent/playground supervisor, who was all the time present among the children at play, there is no need to "investigate." He knows what happened, however, since he has to discipline the children he has to go over their behavior and explain to them what is best for them and what will assure a pleasant and safe playtime. In that sense he investigates the situation, then he issues directives and makes sure the problem is not created again. This is illustrated in the story of the fall of Adam in the garden of Eden. Adam was induced to rebel against God's will and to side with God's opponent (Satan). God had instructed Adam on the consequences of disobedience: The day you shall eat from the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you will certainly die. The next action of God was to (take away the toy from the playground bully) that is announce enmity between Adam and the Serpent (Satan). Then God instructed Adam by opening to him the necessary process of effecting reconciliation between God and man. Disciplinary action included the removal from the garden of Eden and a lifelong education. This lifelong education process had as its main goal to acquaint Man with the characteristics and the character of God. The right to interfere in the affairs of mankind and the needed education is encapsulated in the Bible in the institution of Sanctuary, a place where God could “live” among His people. Sanctuary was built in the days of Moses the prophet, to make the nation of Israel aware that: God was their God and they were His people; God was among them and was involved in the day to day running of their lives. God established the fact that He had the authority over them by the right of creation and then redemption from the Egyptian slavery. After God's authority was acknowledged by Israel, He instructed Moses to erect the Sanctuary. God explained to Moses how to do it and why. Having proven to Israel that He had the right to them as their creator and redeemer, God proceeded to "educate" the people in all things pertaining to their spiritual welfare. PREFACE TO THE SANCTUARY (Book of Genesis) The explanation given by God to Moses, began with the story of creation. Adam, called in the Bible, the son of God, was in perfect harmony with his Creator. God spelled out to Adam the basis of their co-existence. Obey and live, disobey and die. God was in daily contact with Adam (Adam and Eve). God instructed Adam in the rules of life and the dangers of failure, consequences. We all know the story quite well. Adam mistrusted God and sided, by his action, with the "bully of the playground" the opponent of God, called by various names: Lucifer (Light bearer), Morning star, Covering Cherub, and finally Satan (the opponent). Adam was alienated (separated) from God, and since no one can live without God, Adam was to die. The question Why did Adam side with Satan against his Parent-God?, had been explained in the past, by many students of the Bible and is not the main part of our study here. We are told that God had a "conversation" with Adam and Eve concerning the new situation in which they found themselves, due to their rebellion against God's rules of the "playground of life." God investigated the situation in which Adam found himself by asking questions. God wanted Adam to review in his own mind what had happened. By this process God made sure Adam knew the nature of his action and reminded himself of the consequences. Then God spelled out to Adam the plan of salvation/reconciliation, in other words, what He will do for them (Adam and Eve) and also what He expected from them. Adam and Eve were to "wait" for the Messiah, who would reconcile them with God and the result would be eternal life in harmony with their God and with the whole Universe. This became known to the students of the Bible as the plan of salvation, the first "good news" for mankind. God continued to communicate with Adam and Eve, but for safety reasons, mainly through various methods and manners: angels, dreams, visions, prophets. These are but preliminary notes and they will be edited and enlarged as needed.

Mashchak's View

SIN ?

Good evening Friends, it has been 4 years since my last blog, but here I am again. It took some searching to recover my blog name and my password, but I made it. It is late at night and I am ready to do some daily reading of one chapter in the newest Russian translation of the New Testament and one chapter in the TNK (Hebrew text) in the Book of the prophet Isaiah. I am already in chapter 55. In my reading I have discovered that the various words used in Hebrew to describe man's relation to God, in the negative section of the relationship, many of the translators rendered them by the word "sin." Sin as such is often "personified" or at least viewed as if it were a substance. The translators speak of moving, removing, transferring, carrying out and placing on someone of sin! Therefore many translators present the picture of a priest moving the sin of a penitent Israelite, to the temple! They create the impression that sins are "stored" in the temple and that once a year on the day of Atonement, those sins are "removed" placed on the special "scape goat" and finally sent to the desert, etc...As you can see from my introductory words, the picture is difficult to grasp and even more difficult to explain to someone who does no know the theological jargon of the believers. I will post additional questions and answers to these questions in my next blog. For now, good night.