Preface
What do we do with the parts of Scripture that challenge our paradigm of doctrine? We might simply pass them over without much thought, or perhaps we quickly remind ourselves of a verse that supports our predetermined opposing view. But some of us might actually stop and reflect upon the appearance of a possible contradiction in the text.
According to Isaiah the prophet, the Word of God was not meant to be easily understood.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isaiah 28:9-11 (KJV)
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isaiah expresses that the Almighty will speak to his people in a foreign language while stuttering. But it’s quite clear that God must have spoken in the recipient’s native tongue to accurately deliver His message, whether it was through Moses, the prophets, or other men and women, and consequently, those people shared that message in both written and verbal form. The allusion of these poetic verses must be addressing the relationship of God’s Word with those who read it, and according to Isaiah, that relationship must be riddled with misunderstandings.
Those who stop and reflect upon the challenging verses, those who are willing to seek knowledge and understand doctrine, and those ready to accept Apostle Paul’s challenge of advancing from the milk of the Word to the meat must study precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little. It is not easy.
Not only is it difficult to dedicate time and study to the intricate beauty of God’s Word, but equally difficult to change preconceived doctrine upon the revelation of deeper understanding. This is where we begin to chew the meat, and for me, one of those morsels was the common theology behind the doctrine of sin, sinful nature, and its relationship to the law of God.
Like most, I accepted the theology of sinful nature. I was born a sinner, lived as a sinner, and even after accepting Jesus as the Savior, I would continue to sin. It was unstoppable because I am flesh. But as I read Scripture certain verses would challenge this doctrine and at first I simply read over them without much thought, I’d remind myself that no one is without sin, but finally I stopped and reflected and took Isaiah’s words to heart. This book is an endeavor to restore the intended theology of sin.