...But the Talmud [one of the foundations for Judaism] expressly teaches (Ber. 6a), that God originally created man with two propensities, one to good and one to evil (Yetset tobh, and Yester hara). The evil impulse began immediately after birth. But, it was within the power of man to vanquish sin, and to attain perfect righteousness...[by his own works]
Alfred Edersheim "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah"
The implications of this teaching are that God created man both to do good and evil. The implicit point is that evil comes from God. This is antithetical to Christianity. Christianity teaches that God is good, but Adam's choice to do evil [opposite from God's will] resulted in sin. As a result of Adam and Eve's choice to sin, they died spiritually. Everyone who is a decedent of Adam inherits his spiritual condition after his sin. "original sin"
Imagine being a Jew hearing the gospel and having to believe what is totally opposite from what you have been taught all your life! This shows you how revolutionary Paul's teaching on original sin was! Paul was taught the above doctrine as well, but through a revelation from God he understood the truth of the nature of God, man, and sin. This doctrine always existed, But Paul's faith in Christ enabled him to be the first person God revealed it to...!
1 comment:
That is one reason why Paul's statement in Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" was so radial to the Jews. If one confessed Jesus before the Jewish leaders he would be taking a great risk because of their belief about God!
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