Looking Back for a fresh glimspe: “St. Irenaeus’ view of the Fall”
SàAlthough there is no specific scripture this morning…the fall and Eph. 4:13 are in the background as I look at St. Irenaeus’ view of fall along with many other early church fathers
HàSt. Irenaeus (and many early church fathers) thought of the fall differently from the traditional Jewish belief. Irenaeus ascribed that Adam was not created as an adult but as a child and the main problem was that Adam ate from the tree of Knowledge before he was mature enough….he grew up too fast. Hence, Jesus comes to take us back to our childhood; to give us new birth that we might grow up correctly; mature properly so that we are able to eat of the tree at the proper time and become the people that God is calling us to be; to grow up the stature of Christ. (hear Eph. 4:13 in background)
AàIt’s an interesting thought this morning to think that one of the main roots of our human condition is that we grow up to fast and in the wrong direction; becoming immature beings not able to handle the responsibility of the knowledge of good and evil. It would be hard to argue against this notion that we are unable to properly handle the knowledge of good and evil. I find it equally fascinating that in Jesus I am freed of this penalty of growing up the wrong way; delivered from it and given the opportunity to be reborn that I might grow up the proper way through Jesus Christ to handle the responsibility of the knowledge of good and evil. I certainly appreciate this new (but ancient) lens to look at the creation story and my own sinful condition and the relation that Jesus plays in me becoming the person God desires for me to be.
PàJesus, open up my mind today to see Your story through many different lenses. Protect me from putting you in a box but give me the grace to allow you to speak fresh ideas into my life even if the ideas are ancient. Squash any arrogance or pride in my life that is preventing me from growing up in your grace. Thank you for freeing me from the immaturity of my sin and giving me a new birth to grow up in your grace. Annoint me with your Spirit that I might live into the responsibility that comes with the knowledge of good and evil. Amen.
Eàthank God for a second chance to grow up the right way.
chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com
