Harmatology

In his book, Now That's a Good Question!, R. C. Sproul offers answers to three questions related to evil and suffering that I think are worth reading by everyone.

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Sin is a Specific Kind of Evil

Not all evil is sin. We sometimes confuse sin with physical evil (injurious or calamitous). But we must speak of sin within the ethical sphere of moral good and evil. Even here we need more qualification.

Sin is a moral evil. The names used in Scripture for sin point to its moral character.

1. Chatta'th - an action that misses its mark, deviating from the right way
2. 'Avel and 'avon - a want of integrity...

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The issue of the law versus grace can be confusing.

The law has three aspects: moral, civil, and ceremonial. The civil and ceremonial aspects were fulfilled by Christ. The moral law carries forward as a threefold means of grace via

(1) restraining sin in the common grace of God;
(2) to instruct the believer in godliness, and;
(3) to act as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ.

Paul tells us that the law is holy, and the commandment is holy...

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The idea that all of man did not participate in Adam's sin, and are thus not equally guilty, is false.

Romans explicitly proves otherwise. Romans 5 provides a strong proof that capacity to sin is not the issue or initiation of our guilt.

In Rom 5:12 it says "so death passed upon all men, because all sinned." In the context it is clear the sin here spoken of is the sin Adam committed (Gen 3:6, "Adam did eat"). Rom 5:12 is not speaking of sins we...

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The Westminster Larger Cathechism states:

Question 17: How did God create man?

Answer: After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man, endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it, and dominion over the creatures;

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