UPDATE: After realizing I can make my point without by critical of another, I removed the reference to Normal Vincent Peale. I need to be careful with every word I speak (and write) and believe there are no reasons to be critical, when not necessary. I am sorry!
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There are some who may tell you that the above terms are negative, and therefore, should not not be in our vocabulary. But, the biblical account is that man was TEMPTED, he FELL by SINNING, which plunged mankind into a DEPRAVED state. We can not talk about the good life, the happy man, being blessed, producing good fruits, etc, etc. without first dealing with man in state after the fall. Here is how the Westminster Shorter Catechism describes these biblical ideas:
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. 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 his first transgression.
Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Since these topics should interest all our readers, I would expect each one of you, would “enjoy” hearing Drs. Joel Beeke and and Joseph Pipa speak on these issue. This coming Tuesday and Wednesday (3/12 & 3/13) at 7pm click here, and you should see a Watch Live button. More details on what is happening next week, are located here.
A few resources to consider on this topic are:
