The Sin Paradox,
Amicus Brief
The sequel to the controversial book
The Sin Paradox, the case against Adam, Eve, and theSerpent.
I was dusting off my archery skills and finding there was more dust than expected. The target was set and 100 feet marked off. The bow was drawn and the first shot went over the target, much to my surprise. The next hit off to one side, another low, another the stand and so on. Most of the arrows arrived at the target though not in the bulls eye. Some, a few, actually missed the target completely much to my dismay. As I was retrieving the arrows I decided to move the shooting line closer to the target. I still did not land any in the bulls eye this round but, none of the arrows completely missed the target. It was then I remembered some of the Hebrew I've learned of recent years.
The word "Torah" comes from the root "yarah" meaning to "hit the mark". It is basically an archery based metaphor. When you hit the target you are hitting the "mark", it is in essence "torah" / "yarah". But when you miss the mark the word "sin" would be declared. Sin is missing the mark. So some of my attempts were "sin"-ful so to speak. However, I had come up with a solution and this is what inspired this short commentary.
As I mentioned, I moved the firing line closer to the target. By moving closer to the target my chance for "sin" diminished. If you want to decrease the chance for "sin" in your life, move closer to your target. Make Yeshua YOUR target, move closer to Yeshua, you'll have a better chance of "hitting the mark" and less of a chance for "sin".
Much can be learned from day to day activities like archery. More of these to come.
Arm yourself like a man against the devil’s assaults. Curb your appetite and you will more easily curb every inclination of the flesh. Never be completely unoccupied, but read or write or pray or meditate or do something for the common good.
... Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), Of the Imitation of Christ [1418],
Modern culture is a mighty force. It is either subservient to the gospel or else it is the deadliest enemy of the gospel. For making it subservient, religious emotion is not enough, intellectual labor is also necessary. And that labor is being neglected. The Church has turned to easier tasks. And now she is reaping the fruits of her indolence. Now she must battle for her life.
... J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937), The Princeton Theological Review, v. 11,
It is no great matter to associate with the good and gentle; for this is naturally pleasing to all, and everyone willingly enjoyeth peace, and loveth those best that agree with him. But to be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse
persons, or with the disorderly, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace, and a most commendable thing.
... Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471)
