How can Christians justify this?

[alexiscurious]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

 

[Vollbracht]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

1. No more fair than billions of people having life that was a direct result of just two individuals.

2. Because He told them that would happen.

3. Yes, since they were warned.

4. Were they supposed to?

5. Yes, repent of your own sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.

6. If a just God put an innocent man in prison, what would be the reason for it? Joseph tells us why, "to save much people alive." Gen. 50:20.

7. Ezekiel 18:20.

 

[alexiscurious]

1. No more fair than billions of people having life that was a direct result of just two individuals.

And their life was a direct result of God. What exactly was passed down there if we are going to use your logic? They didn't inherit godliness. So why is it fair for me to inherit their sin?

2. Because He told them that would happen.

Doesn't answer the question.

3. Yes, since they were warned.

Doesn't answer the question.

4. Were they supposed to?

I'd assume so if I'm going to be held accountable for it by a fair and just God?

5. Yes, repent of your own sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.

Doesn't answer the question.

6. If a just God put an innocent man in prison, what would be the reason for it? Joseph tells us why, "to save much people alive." Gen. 50:20.

Doesn't answer the question.

7. Ezekiel 18:20.

Doesn't answer the question.

 

[Vollbracht]

You're welcome. Have a good night.

 

[football5680]

Original sin is not held against us as a personal sin and we still have the ability to choose whether we sin or not. We are given the same choice Adam and Eve were given and it is whether we will obey God.

 

[NorrinRadd]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

Not all Xians believe in the "inherited guilt" version of Original Sin. Many of us believe that Original Sin taints us so that we are inclined to sin, and that very soon we do sin. However, we are not forced, but rather that sin is our choice. Only when we do sin do we become guilty and doomed.

Now, you may at this point wish to challenge the justice of being doomed for what seem to human minds "minor" infractions such as envy or coveting. By God's standards of holiness and justice, even the slightest infractions are damning. Happily, He provided a Remedy.

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

Because those two humans represented all of mankind.
Mankind is no different today, than those 2 original people were.
God didn't separate himself from creation...in fact, he became part of history to redeem Mankind back to himself. He didn't have to but he did out of pure love for us.
God has given all of us freewill choice and didn't make us robotic. The greatest expression of love is for people to FREELY return love to the creator instead of being coersed to.
If a person committed a crime today, just that person would get punished ---- but with Adam and Eve , they represented all of mankind so all of mankind felt the brunt of their disobedience, arrogance, and self centeredness too ; today, if you represented a Drug Dealer youd be included in the punishment too.

God has given mankind a way to be reconciled and forgiven by God. Choose it thru Jesus' atoning death for sins, and experience the joy, hope, happiness, knowing your right with God instead of living for Self and snubbing Gods love for you. Bec ome a Christian and youre life will change dramatically but it requires a submission of your Will toward God. God has put the ball in your court to be returned across the net back to God ... don't drop the ball. Hit it across . GIve him your total love .

 

[alexiscurious]

Original sin is not held against us as a personal sin and we still have the ability to choose whether we sin or not. We are given the same choice Adam and Eve were given and it is whether we will obey God.

"Original sin is not held against us as a personal sin"

But it is still held against us.

 

[dcalling]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

I think (my opinion only) that once Adam/Eve ate the fruit, the gene of good/evil enters us and we all have it now, and our tendency is sin (ever tempted by worldly desires?). God was with the humans for a while, but sin was everywhere so there was the flood and only Noah lived (see the story of Cain and Abel, God allowed free will and all the murders, it will be obvious that after a while most of the good guys were killed and their soul went to God, most of the earth is in bad one's control).

So since we all have this gene which God don' want humans to have, we are separated from God. Anyone can join God again by just taken that gene/sin off.

 

[Steeno7]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

If they had gotten justice they would have been totally destroyed, and you wouldn't be here whining about the way it is. You wouldn't exist. None of us would.

Sounds to me like you are sorry you were born.

 

[NorrinRadd]

"Original sin is not held against us as a personal sin"

But it is still held against us.

Not in the view of those of us who do not believe the Bible teaches "inherited guilt" or "familial guilt."

 

[football5680]

"Original sin is not held against us as a personal sin"

But it is still held against us.

How? We don't ask God's forgiveness for the original sin and we have free will and are in control of our actions. We are affected by the people around us and the generations of people before us but can we blame them when we use our own free will to do something bad? Adam and Eve may have put their children and descendants in a more disadvantageous position but even today the same thing happens with our own parents. We are not forced to make the same bad decisions that previous generations made and the future generations of people will not be forced either.

 

[oi_antz]

I think (my opinion only) that once Adam/Eve ate the fruit, the gene of good/evil enters us and we all have it now, and our tendency is sin (ever tempted by worldly desires?). God was with the humans for a while, but sin was everywhere so there was the flood and only Noah lived (see the story of Cain and Abel, God allowed free will and all the murders, it will be obvious that after a while most of the good guys were killed and their soul went to God, most of the earth is in bad one's control).

So since we all have this gene which God don' want humans to have, we are separated from God. Anyone can join God again by just taken that gene/sin off.

Hi, I am wondering about your use of the word "gene" here. It seems consistent with my understanding of this which is that the inheritance of sin in the world is a spiritual thing (the spirit in which we act), which is all about attitudes and beliefs (mind over matter, the decision to act). So the wortd "gene" is about generation, and not necessarily DNA, which is the most common way to use the word. But while saying that, it is common Christian teaching that we cannot escape sin until we see Him as He is, and become like Him. Can you please explain briefly to clarify how you think sin is genetic and how you think it is possible for us to "take off" that gene?

 

[South Bound]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals?

I don't believe it is fair. They're punished for their sin, not "two individuals"

Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision?

For the same reason Romans 5 clearly tells you.

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

He would punish the offender, not his descendants, just as God punishes the offender, not his descendants.

 

[graceandpeace]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

False premises & assumptions have lead to confusion.

First, billions of people are not "being punished."

Second, God has not "separated" Himself from creation.

Adam & Eve are figures constructed for a story - a story meant to help us understand God, humanity, & why things are as they are in this world (note that Adam & Eve are not names, but the Hebrew terms for "man" & "woman.")

With all of this in mind, I don't believe in inherited guilt for sin. Each person is accountable for their own actions. Human beings - even in hypothetical perfect conditions (i.e. Garden of Eden) - still would choose to do wrong at some point, or otherwise succumb to spiritual sickness. That is one of the main takeaways of the Adam & Eve story.

 

[98cwitr]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

My sin is my own.

 

[Hakan101]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

Because Adam and Eve sinned, we are born with a sinful nature. It is a consequence of their actions not a punishment God put on us. We have sin because of their mistake, but we are still expected to obey God and when we sin it is our own faults. But fortunately God had a rescue plan in mind and so that's why he sent Jesus to die once and for all our sins. Now when we trust in him we are made righteous in God's sight.

Adam and Eve got us into this situation, but it is Jesus who going to get us out, Hallelujah.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals? Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

1) We don't bear the punishment from two individuals; and 2) God has not separated Himself from the rest of His creation because of what Adam (and Eve) did.

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

God doesn't play non-sinners, those who haven't sinned, in a "sinful prison". You are not judged according to what your ancestors did, but according to what you do.

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

No. And neither does God.

Original Sin does not mean that God punishes us for what our fathers and mothers have done. But that is a common misrepresentation found in many modern Christian discourses on the topic.

Original Sin attempts to explain why we are inherently sinful--born with concupiscence--not place the blame of our sin on Adam. Our sins are firmly and distinctly our own. The question addressed by Original Sin (broadly) is why we sin at all.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Emmy]

Dear alexiscurious. You had some answers, and I shall make it short.
God knew all what happened, and God made us in His image, and God Loves
us. Adam and Eve were banned to Earth, and all Mankind after, to learn to Love God as God wants us to Love Him. Jesus told us in Matthew 22: 35-40:
" The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. God wants to be with us for eternity, and we also have to learn to love our fellow-men and fellow-women, as we would want to be loved, it is quite straightforward, God is our Heavenly Father and God wants loving sons and daughters for ever.
Jesus came to show us what God wants from us, Jesus died that we might live for ever with our God. The Bible tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," give up our selfishness and become loving sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us: " ask and you shall receive."
We keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God, and share all Love and Joy
with our neighbour: all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends.
It is a wonderful plan, and God wants many men and women to turn into His Loving sons and daughters. In Matthew 5: 48: Jesus tells us: " Be ye therefore
perfect as your Father which is in Heaven, is perfect." Sadly it takes a long time for us to learn, but then comes our reward: Perfect children living for ever with Our Loving Heavenly Father.
I say this with love, alexiscurious. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.
P.S. God wants our Love freely given, and those of us who do not want to be with God, will go their own way: to Outer Darkness, without God`s Love and Light.

 

[aiki]

Why is it fair that billions of people have to bear the punishment that was the direct result of just two individuals?

They don't. Jesus atoned for the sin of all humanity upon the cross. All the "billions" have to do is accept what he has done for them and submit to him as Lord. As has been pointed out, God punishes each person for their own sin, not the sin of Adam and Eve.

Why has God chosen to initially separate himself from the rest of his creation because of Adam/Eve's decision? Is he justified in doing so?

As the record of the Bible shows, God did not separate Himself from His Creation. In fact, at one point, He actually stepped into human history in the person of Christ and lived among His creatures for some thirty-three years.

Did they advise me before eating the fruit? Did I have any kind of say in the matter? Why should I believe that God is just in placing me in a sinful prison before I actually sinned?

Why would you be advised when you didn't exist? Why should you have had any say in an event that occurred millennia before you were born? And how can you be in a prison if you don't exist?

If a person committed a crime in today's society, would the judge punish the offender or the offender and all his descendants?

I'm assuming this is a rhetorical question...

Selah.