Sin Revisited (1)
And YHWH Elohim formed Man out of dry, loose earth dirt Genesis 2:7a (my translation)
Formed – Something very odd occurs in this verse. In fact, there are two rather unusual linguistic events here. The first is about how we were made. Normally, the verb yatsar (to form, to fashion, to shape) is spelled Yod-Tsadde-Resh. In fact, in every occurrence in Scripture except this one, yatsar is always spelled this way. But here yatsar is spelled with two Yod’s. Instead of Y-Ts-R we have Y-Y-Ts-R. Naturally, the rabbis noticed this. Why did God spell yatsar in this unusual way just here, at the forming of Man? They explained that “The Holy One, blessed be He, created two impulses, one good and the other evil.”[1]
Pull back from the Augustinian-Lutheran doctrine of sin and ask yourself what the rabbis imply with this explanation. Jewish thought suggests that Man was created with both good and evil tendencies. Before the Fall, at the moment of formation, Man had the yetser ha’ra in his very being. This implication gives rise to an immediate question: Why? Why would God create us with this evil impulse? The rabbis answer: “The urge, although it eventuates in wrongdoing, is an essential equipment of man, and, indeed, grants him the opportunity of becoming a moral being; because without it there would be no possibility of his doing evil and, as a consequence, goodness also would be meaningless.”[2] Isn’t this exactly what we require for the concept of free choice? Don’t we have to have the possibility of disobedience in order to justify rewarding obedience? If Man before the Fall has no potential and no tendency toward evil, then why are Havvah and Adam tempted? And if Man is created with both tendencies, doesn’t that mean that any man, even a man who does not yet serve YHWH, can do what is right?
The Augustinian-Luther idea of sin implies that no man is capable of right action until after that man is redeemed and given a new heart. This implies that all my acts prior to redemption are morally evil, even if those acts appear to be righteous. Jewish thought rejects this assumption. Men can and do perform acts of righteousness before they embrace YHWH’s fellowship. Those acts of righteousness come about because men follow the yetser ha-tov (the good impulse), built into them from creation. Of course, the yester ha’ra often overrides the desires of the yetser ha-tov, and men disobey and commit sin. Therefore, all men need a redeemer, but not because they are constituted sinful; rather because they willfully chose to act on promptings of the yetser ha’ra. The issue with sin is not ontological (how we are made). It is volitional (how we choose).
But here’s the important shift. Without the yester ha’ra, there would be no passion in life. It is the drive to possess, to succeed, to create, to propagate that makes Man different than an animal guided by instinct. Men desire to be more than they are – and in that desire they learn to become obedient to the will of the Father. Without that inner push, we are nothing more than robots, following a pre-programmed script. The yetser ha’ra makes life go – and is the most dangerous element of the life we know. Our task is not to rid ourselves of passion but rather to domesticate it in the service of the King.
Topical Index: yetser ha’ra, sin, evil impulse, Genesis 2:7
[1] Ber. 61a
[2] Abraham Cohen, Everyman’s Talmud, p. 90.
SKip,
Some interesting thoughts here. But, did God “form” man with two tendencies — which is about as Greek as you can get — or with the capacity to choose between good and evil? The Protestant Reformation insisted on the priority of Scripture as the foundation of truth, not the teachings of the church fathers, no matter how well they may have taught. So if we are to find this idea of “two tendencies” in the formation of man himself pre-Fall, can it be found in Scripture or is it only found in the musings of the Rabbis?
Then, of course, there is the Fall. Are conditions the same now as they were before the Fall, or has man now an “inherited” nature after the first Adam that now requires the second Adam to put things back they way they were supposed to be?
The historic view of faith and works is not that man cannot behave appropriately. Obviously he can. But are good deeds without faith acceptable to God? The historic view has an interest in soteriology – salvation – and says, that when it comes to living an acceptable life to God you need both faith and works. One without the other does not cut it with God. Thus, “the just man shall live by his faith” Rom 1:17 quoting Hab. 2:4, and “faith without works is dead” James 2:24.
Thanks Ian for offering a different perspective on this unsolved mystery.
It gives us all LOTS to think about. 🙂
The historic view regarding the impact of the Fall on the nature of Man comes from Plato (as can be demonstrated). While it was incorporated into Christian theology for philosophical reasons, it stands in utter contradiction to the rabbinic view of man. To suppose that Paul and others would have adopted a Greek philosophical position flies in the face of everything we know about Paul as a rabbi. Furthermore, an inherited sin nature creates enormous difficulties for any reasonable concept of free choice.
I do not think the two propensities (inclinations) is Greek at all. It is merely a rabbinic way of expressing the idea of choice – that there are always two paths that can be followed. Which one I choose is the real issue, not the fact that there are two.
Hi Skip,
Do you have that “demonstration” available somewhere? Or just point me to the part in Plato which you think makes your point. Then I can go read it for myself.
Thanks. Great discussion!
Hi Ian,
Can’t put my hands on it now as I am traveling to George, South Africa. But I know that Heschel gives the references in the Republic and other places in one of his books, I think it is in God In Search of Man, but I’m not sure. Probably will have to wait until I return.
I agree and disagree. I agree that everyone of us or more personally each of us, from Adam to Zephaniah are created with the inherent capacity and blessed gift of choice. One of the best gifts YHWH ever gave to man (Adam & me) was the gift of choice.
I may step into Baskin-Robbins ice cream store and there before me are twenty-eight flavors. I am free in my choosing to even step inside of Baskin-Robbins or not. No one forces me to eat ice cream unless of course I am under Shariah law- forcing me to eat ice cream against my will. Eat ice-cream or die, pagan fool! No, my friends, love is a choice. Will I love G-d (and do His will) today?
Here’s the kicker. We are totally free in the choices we make. All of us are, -even those who only have one flavor of ice-cream. To eat or not to eat, that is the question. “Choose you, (sir or madam), this day, who you will serve.” Who is it going to be? Brother Skip (and all)- you know and I know, we all “gotta serve somebody”- (Bob Dylan was right!).
I refer the crew on board to Romans 6.16. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey Him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” This the choice we make daily, and beyond that, moment by moment. Why, -we have even been instructed (according to the perfect law of liberty) to bring into captivity -every thought, to the obedience of Christ. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV)
613 rules for living? My friends, I guarantee this- I have had more than 613 thoughts run through this man’s mind, but is this command of G-d- “bringing into captivity-every thought to the obedience of Christ” included in these 613? Maybe there needs to be 614.
Back to the Roman road. “Offer yourselves to Someone as slaves to obey.” In G-d’s kingdom, freedom comes through slavery. (Remember, the way up is down!) I know, I know- the very idea of slavery grates upon us. But remember- we are going to serve somebody.- Who is it going to be? We (all) have a choice. (Remember) we are totally free in our choosing, *but*- we are not free (at all) in the consequences of our choices. Choose sin and self (some even choose satan), and it will lead to death- both physical and spiritual. Choose to be a servant of Christ (Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of G-d, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to G-d, which is your spiritual service of worship.-(Romans 12.1), and “life” will follow. -I will go home to my Father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” (Luke 15.18) Yes, the story of the prodigal Father. Here, in living color is one of the most beautiful “pictures” of what repentance is. Totally broken beyond repair, this man (carl) realizes his need of redemption and restoration, -he comes to a realization and a recognition- “I have sinned.” Step number one. Carl, you (a) have sinned, and (b) are a sinner. Houston- we have a problem. Carl has sinned. What to do? What to do? I assure all who read these words- “this man”- has made some wrong choices (sin- transgression of the law) in his life. May I show you the scars? I’d rather not- ugly is ugly, and my scars are not a pretty sight.. All of us are scarred by sin, for (our Bible instructs us) “all” have sinned. From the uttermost to the guttermost- all have sinned, Nicodemus (a ruler of the Jews) included. The yetser hara’- the inclination toward evil- (not doing the will of G-d, what He wants) has won the day, and Carl has sinned and as a result stands condemned in the sight of our G-d (who is, above all things- holy). Thrice-holy G-d and man (Adam, Carl, Zephaniah) who has sinned and is (by his wrong choices and by his doing), a sinner.
-Time for some good news. Enter Christ. Yeshua, the Son of the living G-d. The incarnated Word of G-d, spotless, sinless Savior. The Lamb of G-d who takes away the sin of the world- (this wandering sheep included!). Oh Hallelujah!- O what a Savior! What is His name? “YHVH is salvation!” The cross, the cross!- Come all you who are weary and are heavy laden, come all you lame and deaf and dumb and blind- His “standing invitation?” “Whosoever will” may come! Come to Jesus and be free from the burden of sin, come to Him and experience today, the forgiveness of sin. Come this moment and know what it is to be free!
This is “the choice of a lifetime”. Whosoever will also includes whosoever will not. Pharoah was given ten opportunities to repent, to change his mind. His heart was hardened to the point of death, both physical and eternal. What are our instructions according to the word of G-d? “Therefore- again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later He spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)
The “shema” of Israel is a choice. We may (a word of permission) choose to listen and we may choose to obey. What are the consequences of obedience? While we search for the answer to this, let us remember ONE whose entire life was one of obedience, our sinless, spotless Savior of the sheep, Yeshua HaMashiach, the Lamb of G-d, our conquering King and Eternal Friend.
Friends, I choose Him. My Master,my Savior, my ADONAI- the LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Hallelujah! -I am His, a child of the King. “Choose you this day, who you will serve..”- but as for me and my house- we will serve the LORD.”
It seems more credible to me that, if this construction does indicate a duplex aspect in the forming, it refers to the duplex nature of mankind. That duplex nature, the Scriptures state, is male and female.
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” So, in the detailed description of the creation of “man in his own image”, He describes the process in 2:7 in the same manner as He describes it in 1:27.
I will disagree. If your exegesis is correct, then every one of us would be both male and female since there is only a single word employed here. The repeated yod is not found in any other construction and would be unnecessary if it were only a gender issue since the gender difference is deliberately articulated in the same context.
“Our task is not to rid ourselves of passion but rather to domesticate it in the service of the King.”
Unfortunately, passion is easily misunderstood. People may confuse ANY feelings with being evil and therefore unreliable or dangerous. But we were created as emotional beings! How else could we love the LORD with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength?
Aaron Shust “Glory to You”
http://www.metrolyrics.com/glory-to-you-lyrics-aaron-shust.html
Yes, you have drawn us closer to the concept. thanks
“But here’s the important shift. Without the yester ha’ra, there would be no passion in life..”
does this mean that passion only comes from the tendency to do evil, or make a wrong choice?
Where did God’s passion come from to make heaven/earth and man?……….I have to disagree with the idea that without the yester ha’ra there would be no passion – I think passion is driven by love and brilliant creativity —-
Thanks Brenda. Perhaps I didn’t explain it quite thoroughly. Please read the Talmud on this. Passion is much more than just nice, good things. It is the DRIVE to create. How it is used is the crucial point.
This is a relatively new concept to me and I am in a process of absorbing it. The first thing that occurred to me was Christ as the “Second Adam.” Now I don’t want to read into the Word what isn’t there, or to take an analogy too far, so I’m cautious here. But if Christ was truly a “second Adam” then it seems that their propensities would have to be the same in order for Paul to make the point that Christ was tempted in all points as we are.
Which implies that Christ had the propensity to sin. This truly goes against my grain. So, what then is the implication of “second Adam?”
Non passe pecare is the Catholic doctrine that it was impossible for Yeshua to sin. This results from the claim that Yeshua had no “sin nature”, another doctrine that seeps its way into Christianity from Plato (modified, of course). So those of us who have grown up in the Church often confuse the yetser ha’ra with a “sin nature.” The idea behind a “sin nature” is that this inherited quality CAUSES us to sin. But that is not the Jewish perspective. Judaism believes that every man and woman is born with two “inclinations” (perhaps propensity is too strong). In other words, we can CHOOSE to go with or against God’s will. The choice and the propensity are not sin. In fact without the passion to create on our own, without the DESIRE to do, human life would not exist. So it is not a matter of the propensity, it is a matter of what I DO WITH IT. The direction I take.
In this regard I no longer believe that Sha’ul is struggling with his own yester ha’ra in Romans 7 but rather is speaking as if he were a pagan confronted with a life of wrong choices but recognizing his desire to do what it right.
As far as Yeshua is concerned, having the propensity toward self will seems to make perfect sense. First, it is essential to the human condition. Second, temptation makes no sense at all without this. And third, it seems to be actively present in the Garden prayer.
Les,
It was only a couple of weeks ago that I realised the significance of the term “Son of Man” that is used so often in the Gospels to refer to Yeshua (usually reported as being spoken by Yeshua himself).
The term is, of course, “ben Adam” – the son of Adam. In Hebrew the term “ben” may refer not only to a literal son (either through blood or adoption) but also to one who follows in the footsteps of another (or, to put it another way, who was created “in the image of” another – one who imitates, learns from, behaves like another). The Aramaic cognate is “bar” – hence the term, bar mitzvah – literally “son of the commandments”, applied to a boy on reaching the age of accountability (13 years), at which point he is then expected to take accountability and responsibility for his actions (and learning to subject his yetzer ha’ra to his yetzer ha’tov).
The “light-bulb moment” was when it suddenly occurred to me that in the role of “ben Adam” Yeshua was “in the image of” pre-Fall Adam i.e. without sin but fully formed exactly as Adam was originally created to be. He could redeem creation (and will, eventually, restore all of creation to its pre-fall, as-originally-created status) because he made the opposite choice to that which the first Adam made – to correctly discern between right and wrong, between the holy and the profane, to follow YHVH’s instructions exactly – to zakar (remember). He paid the price for the first Adam (and for all of us) and became the way of redemption – the way we all enter into covenant with YHVH – to restore that which Adam lost.
“…without sin but fully formed exactly as Adam was originally created to be.” That sentence doesn’t read quite as I intended it.
What I mean to say is that Yeshua ben Adam was in every sense the way Adam was prior to the fall – not in the method of his creation (obviously) but in the sense that he had every human attribute that Adam had, including the yetzer ha’ra and the yetzer ha’tov and hence the ability to be tempted and the opportunity to choose either right or wrong.
Rodney, I agree completely with what you have presented concerning Yeshua ben Adam. This event – the incarnation- G-d becoming a man- is bigger and more explosive to me than the formation of the universes by the speaking of YHWH. And then to think that G-d not only became a man (the Second Adam), but lived a sinless life, in total obedience to the will of the Father. He demonstrated to us and to “whosoever” life can be lived in obedience to the word, will and wisdom of the Father. We (Adams) can do this to, if we will model our Master and allow Him to instruct us by remembering and doing according to the scriptures.
I will confess at this point the admonition of Christ to the Pharisees has stuck like an arrow into my side, not condemning me, but challenging me to take closer heed and to hearken (shema) unto the words written for our instruction in the Lamb’s book of life, the written word(s) of G-d. His words were these: “Yeshua answered them, “The reason you go astray is that you are ignorant both of the Tanakh and of the power of God.” My eyes “lay hold of” the phrase “go astray” and remember: “all we like sheep have gone astray…” (Isaiah 53.6) The words also are related: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119.9) Hearing=doing. “Shema” (selah)!! lol!
“Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night.”
Without the yetser ha’ra, there would be no passion in life. It is the drive to possess, to succeed, to create, to propagate that makes Man different than an animal guided by instinct.
Rabbi Sha’ul wrestled between the yetser ha’ra and the yetser tov (the inclination toward what is good). He openly lamented “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7.24) This same “war” if we may call it that exists in every carbon unit on the planet. The cosmic battle between good and evil- it’s been around since Adam and Eve. I have within me and you have within you the desire for “both” good and evil. But I have discovered and (hopefully) so have you- sin cannot win and faith cannot fail. What can we (today) do about our inner desire to do that which is not pleasing to our Father?
It depends upon relationship. If G-d is my Father (and He is) would I want to do what is not pleasing in His sight? What is “the will of G-d?” It is what He wants. Not what I want- what He wants. Not my will be done, -Thy will/your will- what you want, not what I want. Friends and family, “Father knows best!”
I have sinned. I have sinned willingly, knowingly, consciously, conspicuously, openly. Oh? Tell us what you have done! I’ve done enough to qualify for the title: “a sinner”. What is a sinner? One who sins. A hater is one who hates. A liar is one who lies. I’ve done enough “sinning” to know, I qualify. BTW, how “much” sin does it take to keep me out of heaven (a sinless place)? If G-d is holy, (and He is) how much sin would it take for me to loose my fellowship with Him? Just how holy is G-d? It is not the amount of sin, it is the fact of sin. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.” (James 2.10) Friend, “perfection” is required to enter into the kingdom of G-d. I must, you must, Nicodemus must, John must, Skip must, we all must -be made new by the regenerative power of the Ruach Hakodesh, the very same Holy Breath that raised our Messiah from the dead.
Les, one of Yeshua’s favorite titles for himself was “the son of man.” Why did He refer to himself as the “son of man?” Because He was fully human. He lived his thirty three years of life here on this green planet, as a man, tempted in every point, just as we are, yet without sin. He showed us, demonstrated unto us- how life can be done- the right way. He went about “doing good.” Do we? He was (and is) Love Incarnate. “This is how you do it”- “follow me”- do, as I do. Live as I live. Love as I love. Laugh as I laugh. Pray as I pray. Serve as I serve. “Follow me.” “We have the mind of Christ..” (1 Corinthians 2.16)
When Yeshua was tempted (just as we are tempted) what was His response? “It is written.” If we are to do as He did, what will be our response when we are tempted? “It is written.” What does the word of G-d say? “Thou shalt not”.. “thou shalt.. etc. We hear and we do. We “shema” the words of the LORD. We are doers, not just hearers. -Amein? (or oh me?..)
The “Second Adam” refers to the humanity of (the) Christ. There was (no ever shall be) none so “fully human” as Him. This may throw a monkey wrench into the mind, but He was (and is) the (only) perfect man (and woman!) to have ever lived! -Maybe a good time to stop for a “selah?”
He was (and is) “perfect”- without blemish and without spot- in all of His ways.. “I (too) find no fault in Him..”
And speaking of passion,- was there ever a more passionate man or compassionate man than Christ?
My desire to sin has fizzled. I no longer want to sin. My passions have changed (and for the better!) I want to live for Him and I want for Him to live in me and through me. I want to live my life pleasing unto G-d, my Father. Do I still sin? More than I want to, for I no longer want to. I want to be holy. I want to be like Christ, my Savior, my Shepherd, and my Sovereign Friend.
Sin is really dumb. Sin is stupid. Why would I want to sin? You think sin is fun? Look around at the wreckage, chaos and mayhem sin and selfishness has caused, then look to the Saviour, the only ever Perfect ONE. Perfect in love, in power and purity. I want to be like Him. Must be the yetser ‘tov in me. Something (or Someone) is calling and attracting us toward holiness. It’s up to us to choose..
Could Jesus have sinned? Is it always a choice?Is the “sin nature” the yester ha’ra?
The “sin nature” is NOT the yetzer ha’ra. The whole point of the rabbinic insight is to uncover the fundamental flaw in the notion of a “sinful nature.” I am trying to put up on the web 3 lectures that I recently gave on this. It’s a bit difficult from South Africa but you can look for an announcement about them when they are finally up. In the meanwhile, read the Talmud and Abraham Heschel on this topic.
Concerning our inherent (maybe not inherited) “sin nature” several observations.
First- this very interesting passage from 1 Corinthians 2-
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
A heavy-duty passage no doubt, one that I will not try to pick apart at this time, but just to observe some contrasts and pick out a few choice phrases. The word of G-d will hold up under our careful scrutiny and I am of the “tribe” that believes G-d invites our questions. In the end, it is the word of G-d that will stand, we are the ones who err, if any error is to be found! Here are some contrasts: the spirit of man/the Spirit of G-d, the natural man/the spiritual man/ the spirit which is of the world/the Spirit which is of G-d. There seems to be a division here or two “camps.” “natural vs spiritual” etc.
Now for some observations in the natural world or world of nature. – What grows “naturally” in your garden, weeds or tomatoes? If your garden is anything like man- growing tomatoes requires weeding and work. A good garden needs to be tended and weeded or the weeds will “take over” as they have done to my “unattended” flower bed.
Our “innocent” children. (little angels that they are!) One of the first words out of the “mouths of babes” (besides “McDonald’s”) is “mine.” Do we need to teach children to be selfish? or does it come “naturally?” -not your children of course- but in other people’s children I have seen this far to often. J. Vernon McGee made this “harsh” observation- “Look at that precious child!- Hopefully not in the presence of the parents- his response was- “just another sinner!” Youch! Careful pastor!
No, our natural “gravitation” is not to do good. There is no cheap, easy, lazy, carefree way to serve G-d. It takes dedication, sacrifice, discipline and work. Do we get to do what we want to do? Carte Blanch? without reserve? No, there are rules in place to be obeyed. Does it grate on you sometimes to drive 55mph? – just askin’.
Nothing good comes easy. There is sacrifice on the way to success. We have to learn to say no and learn to say yes,- to a lot of things. Learning is oftentimes a painful process- wanna see some scars? I’ve got ’em and you do to. Our education came like everyone elses- the hard way.
There are still, in this world, grown men whose only quest is: “What’s in it for me?” It has been said, and I believe it to be true..- “a man wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package.” I know people like this! Does G-d love them every bit as much as He loves me and you? Yes, He does- and I should love them too.
What observation can we make about our Messiah? – “He went about- doing good.” We should too.
Maybe we need to consider the virgin birth of Christ and why it was necessary for Him to be born of a virgin. In order for Him to be a sinless sacrifice, would the virgin birth be necessary? He was (and is) G-d wrapped in human flesh. As much a man as any man (even moreso) and yet very much the Son of G-d. The sinless incarnated Christ, the Word made flesh, the Second Adam, Savior, Kinsman-Redeemer, Friend, soon coming/conquering King, I agree!- “what shall we say to these things?”
Hi Carl,
I realize that what you say here is the usual thinking, but some of your choices of words tend toward heresies that the church rejected. For example, “God wrapped in flesh” implies that he really wasn’t a man, just God disguised as a man. I know you don’t mean that, but we have to be very careful about the words on this topic. And I don’t think the virgin birth has anything to do with sinlessness. That is the view of the sinful nature group, that he had to avoid some inherited quality in order to be the Son.
Small word, big implications: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” (Rom.5:12)
This small word “because” turns Scripture upside down. It makes death the result of sinning, where the Greek says the opposite: ‘eph hoi’ that is: ‘as a result of which’. We sin because we are mortals. Not the other way around (that was only true for Adam)! Scripture never speaks of ‘sinful nature’. We are mortals, ergo, we sin. Take a moment to think about the difference!