In Chapter 1, we learned that because of the Fall mankind was degenerating to the point of destruction. Transgression brought on death, but God could not bear to see His creation be destroyed. How could God allow that old deceiver, the devil, bring to nothing the work of God? That is the "Divine Dilemma" which Athanasius brings to our attention in Chapter 2.

In paragraph "(7) Yet, true though this is," Athanasius writes that some people suggest of mankind: "through repentance they might return to incorruption again." It might seem convenient to be able to just say, "I'm sorry, I confess" this or that sin, and think everything is forgiven and forgotten, we're on our way to heaven again. But what does Scripture have to say about that attitude?

Question:
1. If we confess our sins, we're free to go and sin some more.
true / false.

See biblia02/nz04/Ioann08.htm#10" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">John 8:10-12 - Jesus forgave, but then said: "Go, and sin no more!" - if we are true and sincere followers of Jesus, we will not want to walk in the darkness of sin. True repentance is "godly sorrow" that vows to sin no more, not the "worldly sorrow" of just feeling sorry for getting caught sinning: 2 Corinthians 7:10.

True repentance is "metanoia" in Greek - "turning away from sin": as Athanasius writes, it may help us to keep from sinning in the future, but repentance in itself doesn't save us from death and corruption. What more is needed?

 



The root problem, Athanasius says, isn't just sin in itself. Sin is a symptom of the underlying sickness: the corruption of our human nature due to the Fall. Adam and Eve's sin brought on literatura/index.htm#Augustine2" target="_blank" title="Double-click">death for all mankind (biblia02/nz13/Rimlia05.htm#12" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Romans 5:12) and weakened our human nature so that it's very hard for humans to avoid sinning. They sinned and lost the glory, the transforming power of God (biblia02/nz13/Rimlia03.htm#23" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Romans 3:23) - that's spiritual death which leads to physical death. Before that, they were incorruptible and immortal. But now, after the Fall, they and we are all mortal. Our bodies die and corrupt in the grave. Repentance is a start, but it isn't enough. What's the answer?

Athanasius writes - "What — or rather Who was it that was needed for such grace and such recall as we required?" Grace is God's transforming power, but what is recall? When a car manufacturer recognizes there is a fatal flaw in a series of cars, they issue a "recall" to the owners: "Bring in your car and we'll exchange the defective part for a good part." That's what we need, not just a tune-up, but a brand new part, a new "heart" or "spirit" (biblia02/nz26/Evream08.htm#10" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Hebrews 8:10). Mankind needs a heart transplant and a blood transfusion: that's what communion [koinonia] is all about, becoming "partakers [koinonoi] of the divine nature": (biblia02/nz08/2Petra01.htm#4" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">2 Peter 1:4)!

Question:
2. Who or what is it that can replace the fatal flaw in our life?
(Only one of the following answers is correct.)
a) A good psychotherapist or life coach.
b) Muhammed, Krishna, or Buddha, depending on your nationality.
c) Christ, the Word of God Himself, Who made us in the beginning.

 



In paragraph "(8) For this purpose, then..." Christ, the pre-eternal Word of God, entered our world, becoming incarnate as a human baby boy. He had always been present because as God the Son, He fills all things (biblia02/nz17/Efesia04.htm#10" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">Ephesians 4:10), but now He experienced as a man several things about humanity's condition: He was filled with emotion toward mankind.

Question:
3. Match these terms with the definitions below:

3.1. He pitied our...
A. a body, B. race, C. limitation, D. death.

3.2. He took to Himself...
A. a body, B. race, C. limitation, D. death.

3.3. He surrendered His body to...
A. a body, B. race, C. limitation, D. death.

3.4. He was moved with compassion for our...
A. a body, B. race, C. limitation, D. death.

 



Next, in paragraph "(9) The Word perceived" Athanasius writes that because the Word, being immortal because He is the Son of the Heavenly Father, could not die. This is the reason why He must take on a human body that is capable of death. And because the Person in that body has a divine nature as well as a human nature (two natures in one Person), that divine nature could overcome His own death and also put an end to all humanity's corruption.

Question:
4. Since "the Word of God was above all," what did He accomplish?
(One or more of the following answers may be correct.)
a) He made all mankind instantly holy and perfect.
b) He fulfilled in His death all that was required.
c) He clothed all mankind in incorruption.
d) He cancelled the Ten Commandments and all laws.

 



We're nearing the end! Read carefully paragraph "(10) This great work was, indeed...." Christ the Word is like a king who protects his kingdom not because the people are naturally so good, but to guard his own honor. In fact, they were neglectful of the king's property that he had put them in charge of. But rather than wipe us off the face of the earth, Christ the Word of God died for us so that we might live for Him (biblia02/nz15/2Korin05.htm#14" target="xrefs" title="Double-click">2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Wow! That's really amazing love!

Question:
5. What things did Christ accomplish by the sacrifice of His own body?
(One or more of the following answers may be correct.)
a) He made a new beginning of life for us.
b) He forgave the Devil for rebelling against God.
c) He freed mankind from sin, so now we can do whatever we please.
d) He put an end to the law of death.

 

That's it for today! See you in the next lesson!