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NASB | Romans 5:12 ¶ Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 5:12 ¶ Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. |
Bible Question: I have a friend that's not christian who disagrees with many aspects of the bible but mainly one inparticular. The fact that we are all born (as in coming out on the ER table) sinners. He thinks that we should all start off with a "clean slate" as he so carefully states. I wonder what the answer to this as well. However I do not wish to question Gods decisions, but asking for an answer from someone much farther along with their relationship with Jesus Christ is not questioning Gods ultimate decision to allow mankind to be sinful. I just want to know whether or not anyone can provide me with some defense in which I can use against the "clean slate" statement made by my friend? I also would like to ask if anyone can give me bible references in which I can back up my answer and if not, I still wish to be able to answer these types of questions he may inevitabley dish out, even if it means without the bible but with common sense and morality. |
Bible Answer: Jesusfreak: Doc has certainly given you two excellent responses with a lot of meat in each one. Your friend may simply be engaging you in mental gymnastics for his amusement, but then again he may be a serious inquirer. You know him; I don't. Do your best and don't be too quick to give up on him. After all, Saul of Tarsus thought he was some kind of a hot shot leading his goon squad around bushwhacking Christians until Jesus got a hold of him and set him straight. You don't know what God has in store for your friend. ...... As I read your post, it occurred to me that I would probably ask him somewhere along the line, "OK, buddy, so you feel we all got a raw deal. We all should have been issued a clean slate the day we were born. And if we had, tell me, how long do you think it would take each of us to mess up his clean slate? Do you know of anyone whose slate is still clean, anyone who has not sinned? If he pays any attention to what the Bible says, you might try introducing him to Romans 3:23: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You can keep trying to ring his bell with various approaches. You can ask God's guidance. Your friend may not be ready for high theology. Keep it simple but don't engage him in argumentation. Scripture has more power than you do. Use it. Who knows? God may speak to him through John 3:16. We can carry the wood but only God can light the fire. --Hank |