Objectives

When you complete this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

• Explain the nature of the human contradiction depicted in Gen. 2-3.
• Describe how sin is “ontological” and not merely “behavioral.”
• Explain how “soul” and “body” might be thought of as the internal and external faculties of faith.
• Articulate the importance of God’s life-act for the existence of human beings, including those who consciously or unconsciously do not receive the Word.

As you proceed through this lesson have the following question in mind.
Most people naturally think of humanity as a given species, and the church as a collection of individuals taken from among this species. Describe how the opposite is true.