Sunday, January 18, 2009

Engaging God's World- Chapter 3

In this chapter of his book, Cornelius Plantinga discusses the reformed view of the fall. In this view, called total depravity, everything in creation- plants, animals, and most of all, people- have been "infected" by the virus of sin.

At first, Plantinga describes how sin has penetrated into our world. "Evil is the main human problem," he states. This is very true. We are always struggling with something. Evil is defined by Plantinga as "any spoiling of shalom." 

However, there is also the concept of sin. Some things can be evil without being sinful, but all sin is evil. An evil that can be blamed on an individual or a group can be considered sin. How widespread is this form of evil, this sin? Every human has been a part of it. Every human has participated in a sin. We have a tendency to sin- even when we have the best intentions possible. We are a corrupted race.

How has sin corrupted us? What are the effects of this corruption? First, we "pervert" the gifts that God has blessed us with so to use them for our own agendas. Second, we "pollute" relationships with other people, godly things, and worldly things. We add to things that are already perfect. 

The problem is that sin has not occurred in an isolated setting somewhere far away. It happened, happens, and will happen here- in our world, in our society, in our church, and in our hearts. It is not a personal problem, one that a self-help book or a little diet can solve. This is something bigger than that. My sinful life has infected others, leading them to sinful lives as well. In the same way, others have led me to sin. 

God has been gracious to our race, however. He has given us "common grace," which describes "the goodness of God shown to all, regardless of faith, consisting in natural blessings, restraint of corruption, seeds of religion and political order, and a host of civilizing and humanizing impulses, patterns, and traditions." 

Who do we blame for this corruption? To say simply Adam and Eve seems to be a childish answer. I don't think that Plantinga ever gets to the answer of this question. But he assures us that neither God nor the devil are to blame. There is some mention of a "spirit of darkness" which seems to encompass the world in a blanket of sinful thought and deed. I would like to suggest that perhaps we are to blame instead. Sin should not hold any power over us, as Romans explains. But why do we fall continually? We chose to. We have a sinful nature that is difficult to keep quiet. Though we may try our best, we will fall. 

But, friends, we have hope. God is our refuge and our strength. Just wait for the next chapter!

1 comment:

  1. Dear Sarah,

    I have enjoyed your blogs! It is great to see your specific insights into the readings!
    I love your comments on “First, we "pervert" the gifts that God has blessed us with so to use them for our own agendas. Second, we "pollute" relationships with other people, godly things, and worldly things. We add to things that are already perfect”. I like especially the second “pollute” comment.
    We are called to ‘hold out the Word of life’ in Philippians it states: “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of Life (Philippians 2: 13-16). I. E. we carry out the Eternal Water that should quench the thirst of the nations. Unfortunately, we ‘pollute’ it with our sinful acts.
    The good thing is that the water, even if it contains toxins, will quench thirst. But, oh! Those who pollute it! Many times we pollute it even for the next generations! How much responsibility!
    However, Yes!!!!! As you state: “we have hope.” Yes! “God is our refuge and our strength. Just wait for the next chapter!” Not only next Plantinga’s chapter but the Eternal chapter!!!!
    God Bless,
    Adriana & Paulo

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