The Doctrine of man in the State of Sin.

False conceptions of the Fact of Sin Notes from Louis Berkhoff and Myer Pearlman

Introduction.

We read that God, created everything good and after creating mankind He called it “very good”.

However, with a little observation we will see that many things that exist are not good. - evil, wickedness, oppression, strife, wars, death, suffering etc. 

And naturally the question arises, “How did evil enter the world?” - this question has perplexed many thinkers. The Bible gives us God’s Answer. Moreover, it  tells us what sin really is; better still we are told of the remedy for Sin. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible  Myer Pearlman p. 119

1. Sin is denied, Misconceived, and even minimized by : Atheism, Determinism, Hedonism, Christian Science and Evolution. There is no need to argue about the reality of sin; history and man's own consciousness bears abundant testimony to the Fact of sin. But there are theories of men who deny, misconceive and minimize the nature of sin.

1. Atheism.

By denying God Atheism also denies sin, for strictly speaking we can sin only against God, and if there is no God, there can be no sin. (This is probably the reason for denying the existence of God so that they can cover their sin).

Man may be guilty of wrongdoing in relation to others; he may practice vice in relation to himself; but only in relation to God do these constitute sin.

In the final analysis, all wrongdoing is directed against God, for wrong is directed against God for wrong is a violation of right, and right is the law of God.

“I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight,” cried the Prodigal Son. Man therefore needs pardon based on the Divine Provision of Atonement. M.P. p.121

Richrad dawkins and his wife. Thetimes.co.uk

According to the Apostle Paul there are no true atheists.

Rom 1:18  For God's anger is being revealed from Heaven against all impiety and against the iniquity of men who through iniquity suppress the truth. God is angry:

Rom 1:19  because what may be known about Him is plain to their inmost consciousness; for He Himself has made it plain to them.

Rom 1:20  For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections--namely His eternal power and divine nature--have been rendered intelligible and clearly visible by His works, so that these men are without excuse.

Rom 1:21  For when they had come to know God, they did not give Him glory as God nor render Him thanks, but they became absorbed in useless discussions, and their senseless minds were darkened.

Rom 1:22  While boasting of their wisdom they became utter fools,

Rom 1:23  and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles.

Rom 1:24  For this reason, in accordance with their own depraved cravings, God gave them up to uncleanness, allowing them to dishonour their bodies among themselves with impurity.

Rom 1:25  For they had bartered the reality of God for what is unreal, and had offered divine honours and religious service to created things, rather than to the Creator--He who is for ever blessed. Amen. WNT

So here Paul sums up the plight of the God-Deniers.

1. They suppress or hold down the Truth. v. 18
2. God has made plain to their inner consciousness the fact that he exists inall His Glory and power.v.19
3. The Creation screams out that God exists as the amazing structure of the planets and chemistry and Physics all say. God is real. he is powerful and He is intelligence +.
4. Man is without excuse. v. 20
5. Boasting to be wise they became utter fools.v.22
6. They worship the Perishable not the Imperishabel God. v.23
7. God gave them over to moral uncleanness. v.24
8. They bartered the reality of God for what is a lie and unreal. v.25
9. They offer divine honours to the creation (tree huggers and whale-kissers who kill babies in the womb) rather than the Creator.