Tag: Sin

Must We Forgive The Unrepentant?

Are Christians obligated to forgive everyone who sins against us without exception? What about those who remain hostile and unrepentant towards us? Several scriptures seem to indicate that we ought to forgive those who sin against us unconditionally (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32). Other scriptures seem to indicate that we are only obligated to forgive those who express repentance or seem to be genuinely repentant (Luke 17:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:4). How do we reconcile these seemingly contradictory texts?… Read More Must We Forgive The Unrepentant?

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

God ordains all events freely and unchangeably, without authoring sin or impeding free will. God’s concurring power sustains and governs all actions without tainting His holiness. Actions are distinct from their sinfulness, and God’s concurrence with the substance of an action does not corrupt His nature. Actions have separate causes from their sinfulness, and God’s intention differs from man’s intention.… Read More Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

God’s holiness is not tainted by his permitting of sin. Although God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, he does not will or cause sin. God allows sin to occur for a greater purpose, namely the manifestation of his own glory through the triumph of grace over sin in Christ. God’s permission is not the cause of sin, but rather a means to demonstrate his wisdom and goodness.… Read More Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

The Successive Steps of Going Astray

It rarely, if ever, happens, that the heart throws off at once all the restraints of virtue, and plunges suddenly into the depths of vice. It is not by one stride, that the moral youth passes from sober habits at home to those of an opposite nature abroad—but generally by slow and successive steps. The judgment and conscience would recoil from a temptation which proposed to him to become profligate at once; and if he ever becomes proficient in vice, he must be led on by insensible degrees, and little by little make advances in the way of wickedness, and in the counsels of the ungodly. This is what is meant by the deceitfulness of sin.… Read More The Successive Steps of Going Astray

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment