Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Psalm 51:5 – Inherited Sin?
The exact opposite is true. Sometimes an argument is put forth to prove a certain point, but the truth is the opposite of what is being argued. As an illustration, in 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul asserts that “Christ did not send me to baptized, but to preach the gospel.” Some dispute the necessity of baptism when the context argues exactly the opposite. Not only had Paul baptized (1:14), he suggests all had been baptized (1:11–16). His point is that who baptizes you is not important, even if you were baptized by him. God did not send him to baptize the Corinthians but to teach them the gospel which in the context leads to and includes baptism.
Psalm 51 is used to argue that children are born sinful, specifically verse 5. What is missing from this analysis is that David is purposely using hyperbole for two reasons. First, his personal guilt. When we are truly experience gut-wrenching guilt, there is a feeling that there is nothing good within us at all. And second, the psalms are poetic and filled with exaggerated statements for the purpose of illustration. Psalm 58:3 also uses such hyperbole speaking of being estranged and speaking lies from the womb. What is also missing is that if David is confessing inherited sin, total depravity, then how is he responsible? Who would blame a blind man for not seeing?
This brings me to an illustration commonly used to teach children are born sinful. All babies cry, when they are hungry, wet, needy, or whatever. Without consideration of others, they cry. This is called selfishness because the infant is unconcerned with others, concentrating solely on its self. I have two problems with this illustration.
The first is that Jesus speaks kindly, affectionately and highly of children (Mt.18:1-5). Those like children are the greatest in the kingdom. Children are humble and to be imitated. Does this sound like children are totally depraved? How can someone totally depraved be humble?
The second problem I have is that the illustration actually proves the opposite is true. Within a crying baby is the hope and knowledge that someone can sustain and take of them. This knowledge is not deep and wide, and maybe not totally conscious. But it is there. The heartbeat of the mother calms them like no one else. Babies cry not only because of needs, but because of hope that they will be filled. Now take a child, an infant that is removed from its mother, and given no human touch, or very little. The lack of love shown to the infant leads to a lack of hope. These babies do not cry, and do not live. A crying baby is crying not because it is selfish and unaware of others, but because the baby is very aware. Babies are filled with hope. Babies are calmed by love. How is this being totally depraved?
Comments