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Jar

01/30/03 11:44 AM

#3739 RE: jbennett53 #3737

JB, Good morning. I agree with you regarding the difficulty with the way I stated the "problem". God can relate to us without contaminating Himself. He does it now. There is a barrier (a separation). It's not because God is fragile but because we are.

Anyhow, I will rephrase the "problem". Instead of "God's purity", think of "God's standard of purity". He requires we be pure, we are not - so there's a problem. You can think of this in the terms of justice. Instead of combining justice with God's purity and goodness, I have added a 4th premise. I think justice is "good" so #4 could be combined with #2. But it helps me to keep it distinct.

In summary: God rightly commands, we disobey - and thus are guilty lawbreakers. God is just. Justice requires that the disobedience be punished.

Here it is broken into the 4 premises and resulting problem:
First - God exists. I must humbly submit to His commands.
Second - God is completely holy, good, clean, and pure.
Third - I am not holy and pure because I refuse to perfectly follow His commands. I have separated myself from God.
Fourth - God is just. Justice requires disobedience be punished.
Problem: How can I escape God's punishment, yet justice be preserved?

Now, do you agree with the premises and problem, as stated? Thanks for working through this with me.