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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: dedication]
#147875
12/04/12 04:42 AM
12/04/12 04:42 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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As one writer said: "If we lose our faith in the substituationary atonement we lose the Gospel. If you deny the substitutationary atonement you have essentially lost the Christian faith…As my substitute He endured what I deserve in order to give me what I don't deserve."
Christ didn't just "have to experience" the cross to make Him an understanding priest. That is simply evading the whole meaning and message in the quotes I shared.
He took our sins upon Himself, the full guilt load, and suffered THE PUNISHMENT due sinners, making salvation possible for every one.
The price has been paid. But now people must respond with contrite hearts else they are insisting on carrying their own sins which ends with them reaping the punishment because they reject the gift.
This is NOT an either or situation. Substitution is absolutely essential -- without it all the "moral influence" and "good works" avails absolutely nothing.
It's because of what Christ has done that we respond, accepting His death as death to our sin and rising to new life in Christ. Born again to live for him.
Christ's death was ‘penal' in that he bore a penalty when He died. His death was also a ‘substitution' in that He was a substitute for us when He died.
Christ died instead of us (substitution) as a sacrifice that took away the guilt of our sins (expiation). Thus as Romans 6 declares we can reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ. Not that we won't have to struggle against sin, there will always be struggle this side of heaven, but we can KNOW WE HAVE A CLEAN SLATE before God when we confess our sins and by His grace follow Him in humble obedience, not to EARN salvation but because He is our Lord and Savior. And yes, THEN healing does take place.
Have I done away with Christ our Substitute and Surety? Not at all. I have a physical model of sin which you are not understanding and I have offered more insight, but you do not seem to want to take advantage of it. So be it. Yes, Christ died in our place. Yes, this was to take away sin. You say it is a "legal" clean slate. I say it is real, and physical. Read Romans 5, 6 and 7. These chapters are talking genetics - no question in my mind. I can I explain was it is. I have a recording which goes into more detail. Just PM me, and I give you the link. Romans 5:12 Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:19-20 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: I've given my definition of grace. No one seems to pick on it. It is contained in these verses: Isaiah 53:11 and Titus 3:5-7. Grace = His Knowledge. Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness to holiness. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 7:19-20 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. Romans 7:22-25 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: dedication]
#147877
12/04/12 04:47 AM
12/04/12 04:47 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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"The world's Redeemer was treated as we deserve to be treated, in order that we might be treated as he deserved to be treated. (Our substitute) He came to our world and took our sins upon his own divine soul, that we might receive his imputed righteousness. He was condemned for our sins, (our penalty) in which he had no share, that we might be justified by his righteousness, in which we had no share... Redeemed by the ransom money paid for your souls, (legal transaction) you will go forth and show how much you love Jesus by obedience to his commandments. You are to bring forth fruit by doing his commandments, because you are branches of the living Vine. (Healing) It is his prayer that his joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. {RH, March 21, 1893 par. 6} I can say yes, yes, yes to the words of EGW (without your annotations). The physical model of sin can easily explain how Christ took on our sins. The legal model makes taking on sins, well, just shoveling paper work. I've quoted this one before, and I will do it again. A Divine Remedy for Sin.--The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned (legal); it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the Heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us but in our hearts and characters ( Letter 406, 1906). {6BC 1074.2}
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: asygo]
#147878
12/04/12 05:16 AM
12/04/12 05:16 AM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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Please tell me how we inherit traits from our father that are not in the genome. I don't know. But then, there are many truths that I don't know. I don't even know how divine chromosmes can be compatible with Mary's human set. See, didn't I tell you that if you ask a question that I can't answer, I'll say so? Can you plainly say that EGW it not talking about genetics in this quote? If she is not talking about genetics, please identify what she is talking about. I anxiously await your reply. I can plainly say that this goes beyond genetics. How can genetics explain how Deity can come from the genetic material of a sinner + who knows what from the Holy Spirit? If it was all genetics, how can Jesus not be born with the same evil, sinful propensities that we all did? And how does genetics explain how we can inherit guilt from Adam? Genetics might explain some things, but it doesn't cover all the bases. So exactly what does cover all the bases? I don't know. But it sure doesn't look like genetics will do the trick. And it would be another logical fallacy to think that since I have no valid alternative, that your proposal must be correct. What you are saying is that since you don't know, then I don't know. You have not studied genetics. You have not shown any hint that you know what epigenetics is. You do not know what mobile genetic elements are. And I can not begin to explain these things because you discount the whole idea from the get go. You say Inheritance is not even genetic. There are mysteries of the incarnation of Christ. I know that salvation is not primarily a legal problem. I quoted this above and will repeat it: EGW: A Divine Remedy for Sin.--The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned (legal); it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the Heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us but in our hearts and characters ( Letter 406, 1906). {6BC 1074.2} There is a genetic, scientific, explanation of what transgress is, what the cause of disease is, and why death occurs. But if you want to deny it from the start, then I can't explain it further. I have been given a link to a recording that has a scientific presentation which explains my position better that I have here. PM me IF you want to know more. Otherwise, this thread is exhausted. Sin is real, it is physical, we are all "infected", "contaminated" with sin. Carefully reread these two verses: "And He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Joshua was the representative of an imperfect, sinful people, those who had become contaminated with sin. Satan accused Joshua of being a criminal. What, then, is the only hope of the people of God in their defection of Christian character? Their only hope is reconversion, repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is made unto us righteousness and sanctification. In heaven Joshua was accounted as a justified sinner. {17MR 241.4} Here, then, comes in the Redeemer's work. Satan stood by the side of the angel as an adversary, to accuse Joshua as a transgressor of the law. This angel, who is our Saviour, was seen by John the Revelator and represented as standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breast with a golden girdle. Christ is represented in actual ministry for His people, as was Joshua in the day of atonement in behalf of the children of Israel. {17MR 242.1} As at that time Satan pointed to the defilement of God's people and triumphed in their discomfiture, so he is doing now. Joshua was accused as a sinner; but Jesus Christ, the Sin-bearer, the Substitute for the offender, to whom all types point, cannot be thus accused. He is the one who takes away ( literally - not legally) the sin of the repentant, believing transgressor. How sad it is that human agencies, by their loss of spirituality, make it possible for Satan to accuse them of being unworthy!--Manuscript 124, 1901. {17MR 242.2}
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: APL]
#147880
12/04/12 07:03 AM
12/04/12 07:03 AM
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SDA Active Member 2023
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,638
California, USA
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Please tell me how we inherit traits from our father that are not in the genome. I don't know. But then, there are many truths that I don't know. I don't even know how divine chromosmes can be compatible with Mary's human set. See, didn't I tell you that if you ask a question that I can't answer, I'll say so? Can you plainly say that EGW it not talking about genetics in this quote? If she is not talking about genetics, please identify what she is talking about. I anxiously await your reply. I can plainly say that this goes beyond genetics. How can genetics explain how Deity can come from the genetic material of a sinner + who knows what from the Holy Spirit? If it was all genetics, how can Jesus not be born with the same evil, sinful propensities that we all did? And how does genetics explain how we can inherit guilt from Adam? Genetics might explain some things, but it doesn't cover all the bases. So exactly what does cover all the bases? I don't know. But it sure doesn't look like genetics will do the trick. And it would be another logical fallacy to think that since I have no valid alternative, that your proposal must be correct. What you are saying is that since you don't know, then I don't know. I didn't say that at all. What I said was, in summary: Since your theory does not explain all known phenomena, then you don't know.You have not studied genetics. No, but I have studied some science. And true scientists know that no amount of success can prove a theory, but one failure spells its doom. Your genetic theory of sin has more than one failure. You have yet to explain how a plant can manage to sin. You have not shown any hint that you know what epigenetics is. You do not know what mobile genetic elements are. And I can not begin to explain these things because you discount the whole idea from the get go. But I did manage to show a host of questions that your theory cannot answer. I do not discount your ideas a priori, but your unwillingness to give straight answers does give good reason to discount them. So while there are many things I don't know, it is clear that your theory does not provide the answers. You say Inheritance is not even genetic. I didn't say that. That's just another Straw Man. Your logic and your responses when questioned makes me think you have been hanging around evolutionists too much.
By God's grace, Arnold
1 John 5:11-13 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: asygo]
#147881
12/04/12 11:38 AM
12/04/12 11:38 AM
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5500+ Member
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,154
Brazil
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APL
Is it your contention that sin is physical and not spiritual?
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: Rosangela]
#147883
12/04/12 12:41 PM
12/04/12 12:41 PM
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SDA Active Member 2021
5500+ Member
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,003
The Orient
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Does God cause sickness and death?
Sickness, suffering, and death are work of an antagonistic power. Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer. {MH 113.1}
The words spoken to Israel are true today of those who recover health of body or health of soul. "I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 15:26. {MH 113.2}
The desire of God for every human being is expressed in the words, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2. {MH 113.3}
He it is who "forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies." Psalm 103:3, 4. {MH 113.4}
When Christ healed disease, He warned many of the afflicted ones, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." John 5:14. Thus He taught that they had brought disease upon themselves by transgressing the laws of God, and that health could be preserved only by obedience. {MH 113.5} APL, When you are looking for a certain thing in the inspired writings, you are more likely to find it, even it if doesn't represent the whole truth. Mrs. White's writings especially need to be taken in balance. Your entire premise that God does not cause sickness or death can be felled in one quote: Not long after Peter's deliverance from prison, Herod went to Caesarea. While there he made a great festival designed to excite the admiration and gain the applause of the people. This festival was attended by pleasure lovers from all quarters, and there was much feasting and wine drinking. With great pomp and ceremony Herod appeared before the people and addressed them in an eloquent oration. Clad in a robe sparkling with silver and gold, which caught the rays of the sun in its glittering folds and dazzled the eyes of the beholders, he was a gorgeous figure. The majesty of his appearance and the force of his well-chosen language swayed the assembly with a mighty power. Their senses already perverted by feasting and wine drinking, they were dazzled by Herod's decorations and charmed by his deportment and oratory; and wild with enthusiasm they showered adulation upon him, declaring that no mortal could present such an appearance or command such startling eloquence. They further declared that while they had ever respected him as a ruler, henceforth they should worship him as a god. {AA 149.4} Some of those whose voices were now heard glorifying a vile sinner had but a few years before raised the frenzied cry, Away with Jesus! Crucify Him, crucify Him! The Jews had refused to receive Christ, whose garments, coarse and often travel-stained, covered a heart of divine love. Their eyes could not discern, under the humble exterior, the Lord of life and glory, even though Christ's power was revealed before them in works that no mere man could do. But they were ready to worship as a god the haughty king whose splendid garments of silver and gold covered a corrupt, cruel heart. {AA 150.1} Herod knew that he deserved none of the praise and homage offered him, yet he accepted the idolatry of the people as his due. His heart bounded with triumph, and a glow of gratified pride overspread his countenance as he heard the shout ascend, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." {AA 151.1} But suddenly a terrible change came over him. His face became pallid as death and distorted with agony. Great drops of sweat started from his pores. He stood for a moment as if transfixed with pain and terror; then turning his blanched and livid face to his horror-stricken friends, he cried in hollow, despairing tones, He whom you have exalted as a god is stricken with death. {AA 151.2} Suffering the most excruciating anguish, he was borne from the scene of revelry and display. A moment before he had been the proud recipient of the praise and worship of that vast throng; now he realized that he was in the hands of a Ruler mightier than himself. Remorse seized him; he remembered his relentless persecution of the followers of Christ; he remembered his cruel command to slay the innocent James, and his design to put to death the apostle Peter; he remembered how in his mortification and disappointed rage he had wreaked an unreasoning vengeance upon the prison guards. He felt that God was now dealing with him, the relentless persecutor. He found no relief from pain of body or anguish of mind, and he expected none. {AA 151.3} Herod was acquainted with the law of God, which says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3); and he knew that in accepting the worship of the people he had filled up the measure of his iniquity and brought upon himself the just wrath of Jehovah. {AA 151.4} The same angel who had come from the royal courts to rescue Peter, had been the messenger of wrath and judgment to Herod. The angel smote Peter to arouse him from slumber; it was with a different stroke that he smote the wicked king, laying low his pride and bringing upon him the punishment of the Almighty. Herod died in great agony of mind and body, under the retributive judgment of God. {AA 152.1} This demonstration of divine justice had a powerful influence upon the people. The tidings that the apostle of Christ had been miraculously delivered from prison and death, while his persecutor had been stricken down by the curse of God, were borne to all lands and became the means of leading many to a belief in Christ. {AA 152.2} In the above case, not only did God cause sickness and death, the sickness led to the most excruciating pain. Mrs. White calls this God's "retributive judgment" and "divine justice." Blessings, Green Cochoa.
We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We can discern the character of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. And to all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him." [Colossians 2:9, 10.] {GW 57.1} -- Ellen White.
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: Green Cochoa]
#147888
12/04/12 02:26 PM
12/04/12 02:26 PM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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APL, while I revel in the love and mercy of our sweet Saviour, I loath the idea that He is too kind to execute justice, or that the only way He has ever meted out punishment is by simply withdrawing His protection and allowing natural law to run its course. Nature is not self-acting. It is totally, completely dependent upon Jesus to act. Yes, there are cause and effect consequences when people sin. But these consequences are not the penalty for transgressing the law. Nor do they occur on their own independent of divine involvement. First death is not the punishment justice demands. If it was there would be no need to resurrect sinners.
Also, you didn't reply to the post and passages where it is clearly taught the fire Jesus will rain down and raise up after the millennium is not the radiant light emanating from the person and presence of God. God's glorious glow will not cause the lake of fire in which sinners will suffer and die in duration according to their sinfulness. The quotes are too plain to misunderstand.
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: Mountain Man]
#147889
12/04/12 02:28 PM
12/04/12 02:28 PM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians and filled the land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the people, one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished. The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. {GC 614.2}
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: Rosangela]
#147919
12/04/12 06:46 PM
12/04/12 06:46 PM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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APL
Is it your contention that sin is physical and not spiritual? The Body and the Mind are intimately connected. The react on each other. I will contend and have plenty of scientific evidence that our genetic make up gives us tendencies to evil. Sin is a change in the law of how we are made. Physical laws are just as much God's law as are the 10C. The 10C are descriptive of how God's system operates. That system was highjacked in the Garden. And the first genetic clue is found in Genesis 3:15 and how God was going to interrupt Satan's plan to efface the image of God in man. What we call sins, theft, adultery, coveting, etc., are symptoms of the disease sin. As one thinks in his mind, so is he. Look on another with lust, is sin. No outward act need be done. Those drives to sin are in our very makeup. PM me for a better talk on the subject.
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Moral Influence Theory versus Penal Substitution.
[Re: Mountain Man]
#147920
12/04/12 06:49 PM
12/04/12 06:49 PM
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Global Moderator Supporting Member 2022
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Yes, Christ died in our place. Yes, this was to take away sin. You say it is a "legal" clean slate. I say it is real, and physical So are you free from all sin? Have your genetics been changed to the point where you are perfectly without any sin? The Bible does not promise us a new physical body until the "last trump" at Christ's second coming. 1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Christ gives us a LEGAL clean slate so we can stand before God as if we had never sinned. He then cleans and heals our lives as we walk with Him in humble obedience. I have never denied the importance that following Christ changes the person's life, it's an essential part, Christ does clean and heal and if we don't surrender our lives to Christ's will, we are not following Christ, but the legal aspect is also absolutely ESSENTIAL. It's the very foundation of justification. Without it all the changes in our lives are worthless simply because "all have sinned" and we merit NOTHING by our works. Our changed lives can NOT justify our sin. It's only as Christ took our PUNISHMENT for sin, that we are justified. The title of this thread pits one aspect against the other, but BOTH have their place.
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