Total Depravity

We speak of the human race as being "Totally Depraved," at least those of us who are Augustinian, and not Armenian in our theology. But how exactly are we totally depraved?

It is from our ancestor, Adam. A literal human? The first of our kind, or a figurative story—a metaphor for the faith?

Are we sinful because:

(1) We sinned with Adam in the garden?

(2) We are sinful by our association with Adam?

(3) We are now sick (from something) because of Adam's disobedience—something was passed over, onto us?

(4) ...or something else?

Why am I sinful by nature?

Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 15:45

"So also it is written, "the first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit."

Adam: 

The body was created first, and God "breathed" life into him (Gen 2:7). Adam's body was first, then the spirit second. Yet Adam used that life to rebel against God. This is NOT significant because "a man in the position of representation for all creation rebelled," but instead it is significant because the first man rebelled—not just a man. The narrative in Eden was not that, oh, well, eventually some person will eat of the forbidden tree, but the story emphasizes how quickly the rebellion took place, and again, how it was the first person created. There was no "digression" in human goodness. God created. Man walked. Man walked right to the Tree. We are sinful. 

Christ:

God the Son exists eternally as Spirit. This Spirit chose to be incarnate as the man Jesus (the act of kenosis). Thus God the Son was Spirit first, then body. Yet He is a not a body that received life, but gives life. 

The Art of Fasting

I've been reading a great book, Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said, by Victor Kuligin. Though I'm not far into the book yet, he makes some great observations about fasting.

I agree with him that we have sadly lost the spiritual discipline of fasting... certainly this is true in America. Through it we learn self-discipline and self-control, which will ultimately make us more like Christ by withstanding the temptations of the flesh. 

Check it out:

"'Fasting has the power to detach one's mind from the world of sense and to sharpen one's sensibility to the world of spirit.' If you can abstain from the strongest human desires, the body's need for food, then you can control yourself completely." 

       (Page 26)

And How about this:

"The comparison between the first Adam and second Adam is striking in this regard. The first Adam in the Garden of Eden could not resist the temptation to eat from the forbidden tree while in teh midst of numerous tress from which he could eat. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, after fasting forty days in the wilderness, was able to resist the temptation of Satan to make bread out of stones with no other food available. Jesus learned to control his physical cravings and desires, and from that discipline came the ability to resist spiritual temptation as well."

(Page 26)