Theological Musings on sin, creation, the body and glorification, etc.

Sin

If the definition of sin is transgression of the law (Gen. 2:17;1 Sam. 15:24; Jas. 2:9-11; 1 John 3:4; 5:17), it follows that where there is no law there is no sin or violation (Rom. 4:15; 7:8f.).

If sin is imputed, it must be a free gift like imputed righteousness (Rom. 4:1-8; 5:15ff.). If imputed righteousness lacks merit, it follows that imputed sin lacks demerit. The dogma of original sin is then a myth. As the Bible plainly teaches, the sins of the father cannot be imputed to the son (Dt. 24:16; Job 21:19-21; Jer. 31:29f.; Ezek. 18, etc.). Repetition, participation, support and/or complicity must be involved (Zech.1:4; Acts 7:51; Rom. 1:32; 2 John 11, etc.).

Judgement

Judgement is by works (Rev. 22:12). Sin, according to Scripture, is a work (Rom. 2:6-11; Gal. 5:19). As we have seen above where there is no law there is no transgression. The law speaks only to those who are under it (Rom.3:19; 7:1,7, etc.), therefore babies which are flesh (John 1:12f.), like the animal creation at large (Isa. 31:3), are excluded. Being ignorant of the law and knowing neither good nor evil (Gen. 2:17; Dt. 1:39, cf. Ps. 32:9), they are therefore capable of doing neither good nor evil (Rom. 9:11). So, since they have done no works, they cannot be judged by them.

The Temporal Creation

Creation is intrinsically temporal and temporary. It had a beginning (Gen,1:1) so it must have an end (cf. Ps. 102:25-27; Heb. 7:3,16). Since we originate physically from the temporal earth, we also as creation in miniature must be inherently mortal (cf. Rom. 1:23, etc.) and as a consequence we are necessarily in the process of seeking incorruptibility (Rom. 2:7,10). The same is true for both the first and the second Adam. However, the law (or commandment, Gen. 2:17; Lev. 18:5, etc.) promises life on the condition that it is kept. Failure means we sin and earn its wages which is death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; 7:9f.).

Jesus, however, kept the law (Mt. 3:16f.). While he died for OUR sin, he did not see corruption. In other words, when he arose from the dead, he took up his earthly life again (cf. John 10:17f.). His was a genuine physical resurrection, a physical restoration. Had it not been, he would have suffered corruption.

Jesus’ Body

Had he continued to live on earth, Jesus, in accordance with the laws of nature, would have grown progressively older (cf. Luke 12:33; John 8:57; 2 Cor. 3:11; Heb. 1:11; 8:13; Col. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:4), that is, experienced corruption. But God’s intention was always, as it had been with Adam, to grant eternal life to all who kept the law (Gen. 2:17; Lev. 18:5, etc.). But eternal life is impossible in temporal flesh on a temporal earth. In other words, the plan of salvation from the start involved the perfection (maturity, completion) of man both spiritually and corporeally. Thus, at the appropriate time when God’s standards had been met (cf. Gal. 4:2) and his work on earth had been completed Jesus was taken up into heaven, transformed and glorified (John 7:39; 14:2f.; 16:28; 17:5,24; Acts 2:33; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2, etc.).

The Glorification of the Flesh Impossible

It seems to be accepted teaching nowadays that when Jesus rose again he did so in a glorified body. This is impossible for various reasons. First, resurrection and glorification are distinguished in Scripture not identified. Next, according to Paul we cannot be glorified in the flesh since like the earth from which it derives it is corruptible and subject either to transformation (1 Cor. 15:50-52) or destruction (Rom. 8:10; 1 Cor. 15:35ff.; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:1); again, the bodies we hope for are unseen (Rom. 8:24f.); fourthly, if Jesus’ resurrection body was glorified he was no longer genuinely flesh. In other words, despite his insistence that he was flesh (Luke 24:39), his resurrection was really a transformation. If this was so, he had failed to take his life again as he had laid it down (John 10:17f., cf. 2:19-21). The obvious truth is that his transformation occurred at his ascension (cf. John 20:17) like that of those who are still alive at his coming. It was not until then that he was endowed with a body of glory which would become visible only in heaven in accordance with his prayer (John 17:5,24). As man Jesus continues to live in the spirit like God (1 Pet. 4:6, cf. 3:18f.) but in a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:44,46).

See in more detail my essays The Corruptibility of Creation, Concerning Futility, With What Kind Of A Body Do They Come?, etc.