Monday, January 29, 2007
Genetics and Sin -- Science and God
Last week, I listened to some of the world’s greatest scientists discuss faith and science and got to meet with them in a couple of small group gatherings. I wish I could have been with those men for an entire week. I would have asked thousands of questions. The previous week, I made a statement in my sermon that has generated a lot of discussion. When man sinned he fell. It genetically altered him. Sin changed our genetics; whereas, man’s physical body was created to live eternally. It would now have a life span and die.
In the past few years, there have been magazine articles to the effect that some people may be "genetically" predisposed to certain sin(s). The "worldly" rationale is that God created us prefect, and, so, if I have the predisposition it must be OK. The "religious" rationale is God didn’t make you that way--science is wrong.
I think they’re both wrong.
Genetic "sinful" genes only prove "original" sin and that man is fallen. We truly are born sinners, and science backs it up! Science is helping your case pastor--use it! Children are born with birth defects every day. Is that a statement to the way we have to stay? Of course not. We medically fix those defects as much as possible.
Jesus came not just to redeem our souls, but our genetics as well. Could this be why a bodily physical resurrection is so important? Are we going to get a new body that is genetically altered or "new" and "improved?"
Ask me in a few hundred years--I’ll have a definitive answer for you!
In the past few years, there have been magazine articles to the effect that some people may be "genetically" predisposed to certain sin(s). The "worldly" rationale is that God created us prefect, and, so, if I have the predisposition it must be OK. The "religious" rationale is God didn’t make you that way--science is wrong.
I think they’re both wrong.
Genetic "sinful" genes only prove "original" sin and that man is fallen. We truly are born sinners, and science backs it up! Science is helping your case pastor--use it! Children are born with birth defects every day. Is that a statement to the way we have to stay? Of course not. We medically fix those defects as much as possible.
Jesus came not just to redeem our souls, but our genetics as well. Could this be why a bodily physical resurrection is so important? Are we going to get a new body that is genetically altered or "new" and "improved?"
Ask me in a few hundred years--I’ll have a definitive answer for you!
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Long time reader, first time comment.
I have followed Northwood and your church planting strategies ever since you were a guest in Dr. Fish's personal evangelism class at SWBTS. I was there '96-'00, not sure which year it was though.
This is a great perspective, I have thought along these lines for some time but you said it clearly and sussinctly. Thanks for helping me articulate my faith and for all the food for thought. I posted a link on my blog to your small units and multiplication blog I liked it so much and thought it needed sharing.
Michael
I have followed Northwood and your church planting strategies ever since you were a guest in Dr. Fish's personal evangelism class at SWBTS. I was there '96-'00, not sure which year it was though.
This is a great perspective, I have thought along these lines for some time but you said it clearly and sussinctly. Thanks for helping me articulate my faith and for all the food for thought. I posted a link on my blog to your small units and multiplication blog I liked it so much and thought it needed sharing.
Michael
You assume a great deal in thinking that man was created to live eternally in the garden of eden. No biblical references that I have found support this. Eccl. mentions eternity in their hearts but in its context cannot be made to say that man is innately immortal. What if we were created mortal, and immortality is a gift bestowed upon those who have faith (from Abraham right on down until today)? Would this not elevate the resurrection like the NT does rather than just a nice afterthought to rejoin us to our immortal souls.
It doesn't change your point that the Fall could have wrecked our genetic structures. This still holds even if we are not innately immortal. Just the "created eternal" is a huge leap. Be interested to see if any of the scientists you talked to bought that hook, line and sinker.
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It doesn't change your point that the Fall could have wrecked our genetic structures. This still holds even if we are not innately immortal. Just the "created eternal" is a huge leap. Be interested to see if any of the scientists you talked to bought that hook, line and sinker.
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