Hi!
To start, I would like to say that I may have made my meaning a bit unclear, and for that I apologize. I do believe that God cursed the earth, and see the above mentioned curses upon the land as a part of the same curse. However, I believe that the cause of this curse is man's sin. The earth was originally perfect in God's eyes, and without death or decay. Man's sin entered into the world [cosmos] and death by sin. This death includes the slow and steady dying of our universe as a whole.
Hi Mjh29,
No apologies needed! Written forum posts - what a potential for disaster! LOL!
I think of this a little differently, that death was the natural consequence of breaking fellowship with God through sin. And all men die, because all men sin.
Do you have a Scripture in mind about death of the universe being included in the death of man brought as the natural consequence of sin?
The way I read Romans 8, it seems to me that God was the One who subjected creation to futility, meanwhile, that God had informed Adam that on the day he ate that fruit, that he would die. Is there a verse I can look at for clarification?
I agree that Scripture is a story full of the rich love of God, but it is equally the story of His justice. While it is true that God is overjoyed at His family that is the church of Christ, this is not why he saves sinners, and is not the overarching message of the Bible. The message is one of His glory, more specifically, that His glory is the end goal of all things, and that everything that has ever happened and that ever will happen does so because it brings Him ultimate glory.
I'm thinking of these passages:
Revelation 4:10-11
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things,
and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Romans 8:28-29
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
I'm reading this as that God created us because it pleased Him to do so, and that the goal is that Jesus would have many brothers.
So it seems to me that God made us because He wants a family, something many of us can relate to.
I agree completely that the Scriptures are the chief instrument which God uses to bring about conversion; the Spirit's application of the Word of God is the only way one can hope to receive true, genuine faith. I believe He sends forth His Word to conquer the hearts of men, and to bring them to a saving knowledge of and faith in Him.
In which we will remain solidly in agreement!
Much love!
Mark