The Doctrine of Man is the State of SIN.(2)

Those who deny or misconstrue or minimize sin

Introduction

There is no need to argue the question of the reality of sin. History and Man’s own conscience bear abundant testimony to the fact. But man has advances his theories which try to do away with sin or minimize it. We have looked at the suppression of reality by the so-called atheists. Now we will look at the theory of determinism..

2. Determinism

This is the theory which affirms that free will is a delusion and not a reality.

• determinism philosophy : the belief that all events are caused by things that happened before them and that people have no real ability to make choices or control what happens. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary

Myer Pearlman says “We in determinism we IMAGINE THAT WE ARE FREE TO MAKE OUR CHOICE, BUT ACTUALLY OUR CHOICES ARE DICTATED BY INNER IMPULSES AND CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR  CONTROL.

The smoke going up the chimney make think it is free bit it ascends by inexorable laws of nature. This being so, a person cannot help acting the way he does, and, strictly speaking should not be praised for goodness nor blamed for badness, Man is simply a slave of his circumstances.

But the Scriptures consistently affirm that man is free to choose good or evil - a freedom implied in every exhortation and command. Far from being a victim of fate and chance, man is declared to be the arbiter of his own destiny.

The definition of Determinism illustrated

ISBE says concerning accountability “The general teaching of Scripture on this subject is summarized in Rom_14:12 : “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.” But this implies, on the one hand, the existence of a Moral Ruler of the universe, whose will is revealed, and, on the other the possession by the creature of knowledge and free will In Rom_4:15 it is expressly laid down that, 'where no law is, neither is there transgression'; but, lest this might seem to exclude from accountability those to whom the law of Moses was not given, it is shown that even heathen had the law to some extent revealed in conscience; so that they are “without excuse” (Rom_1:20). “For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law” (Rom_2:12). So says Paul in a passage which is one of the profoundest discussions on the subject of accountability, and with his sentiment agrees exactly the word of our Lord on the same subject, in Luk_12:47, Luk_12:48 : “And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.” ISBE

One of the consequences of Determinism is to treat sin as an infirmity for which the sinner should be pitied rather than as an offense for which he should be punished.

But the Peremptory “I ought” in the Human conscience refutes this theory.

Illustration

Recently a seventeen-year-old murderer refused to enter a plea of insanity; “his crime was inexcusable”, he declared, because he knew he had committed it in the face of the light given him by his parents and Sunday School. He therefore insisted in paying the full penalty. Young as he was, and in face of death, He refused to deceive himself.