Just to be clear I am not denying Original Sin. I'm merely providing the only version of it, in 2000 years, that is devoid of contradictions.
Sin passed down biologically/genetically? I already refuted the biological/genetic claim in a recent post. In fact I refuted the idea that a taint can be passed down in any sense at all. That concept doesn't even make sense, for reasons that I provided.
I just proved in post 503 that Federalism/Representation contradicts every chapter of the Bible. That is the wrong view of Adam.
But spewing forth words without clear meanings is not helpful. In precisely what sense did we sin in Adam? My definition of Adam provides the only feasible answer.
Personally I'm not convinced that Hebrews is saying that Levi literally paid tithes in Abraham. Do you expect God to verbally commend Levi, at the throne of judgment, for having paid tithes in Abraham? I think the passage is focused more on exalting Melchisedec than in explaining the ontology of the human race.
As demonstrated in recent posts, it is not logically coherent to anchor the concept of sin in biology/genetics.
Using language like "we are a part of Adam" isn't helpful if you are not terribly clear on precisely what that means. One part of your statement was more clear:
But this claim is a problem for three reasons.
(1) If we all act exactly alike, the fault lies with the Creator who designed us.
(2) Free beings do NOT necessarily behave the same way. For example SOME of the angels disobeyed God, others remained faithful.
(3) If we all behave exactly alike, then our "seemingly" variant behavior is an illusion, and therefore God should TREAT us all the same way - meaning for example if I were to rape someone, and God punishes me for it, then He should punish you for that same act because you and I are always behaving alike.
Yes, Levi literally paid tithes in Abraham. If this is not the case, then it is simply a disbelief of Hebrews 7:9-10. In Hebrews 7:26, it says that Jesus is holy and separate from sinners. This is not only referring to how He lived, but it is referring to His very being as a human. This explains why Jesus had a virgin birth. In your view: There would be no need for a virgin birth.
I mean, I get it. It does not seem logical to you or in God's fair justice to punish the descendants for simply being born in Adam on the account of his disobedience, but as the Scriptures say, Levi paid tithes in Abraham. This means that we are genetically a part of our family line. We inherited not only the physical traits of our family, but we also inherited traits from their behavior or personality, too. God does not consider family to be separate entirely as you suggest. In fact, when we are born again by Jesus Christ, and we abide in Jesus, the imputed righteousness of Christ is placed upon us. We are sons of the living God. The door swings both ways. If one fails to understand the imputed righteousness of Christ, they fail to understand that salvation comes by Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Even when we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin according to 1 John 1:7. We learn in James 2:23 that it says: “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” Romans 4:3 says, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 says, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” This was in regards to believing the words of the Lord in how he would have a child who would be heir to be like the descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky. This was a trust in what God said, and it was imputed to Abraham as righteousness. There was no work in this instance. Faith or trust does lead to the eventual work of faith, but Abraham believed GOD and it was imputed to him as righteousness.
18 "And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." - Hebrews 2:9.
The whole concept of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is nullified if Jesus did not die in my place and conquer the grave on my behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 says,
“he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
This is what the good news is all about.
In human history, when the Word was made flesh, He came so as to reverse the curse of Adam upon all of humanity. For in Adam, all die, but in Christ, all shall be made alive. When we first believe in Jesus, His righteousness is imputed to us. This belief or faith continues in the work of faith. But it plays a part in the imputed righteousness of Jesus. Why? Because without Christ imputing His righteousness to us, we would all be doomed. To not understand this is to not understand the heart of the gospel.
But today in these last days, everyone is quick to take that which is good, but when something bad comes upon them, they quickly feel it is unfair and they did not deserve it.