26 April 2015 A.D. Rev. Van Horn on WSC Q.16
26 April 2015 A.D. Rev. Van Horn on WSC Q.16
Van Horn, Leonard T. “April 26: Van Horn on WSC Q.16.” This Day in Presbyterian History. 25 Apr
2016. http://www.thisday.pcahistory.org/2015/04/april-26-van-horn-on-wsc-q-16/.
Accessed 25 Apr 2015.
April
26: Van Horn on WSC Q. 16
STUDIES IN THE WESTMINSTER
SHORTER CATECHISM
by Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn
by Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn
A.
— The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his
posterity, all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned
in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.
Questions:
1.
How many persons do we read of in Scripture that represent the human race?
We
read of two who represent the human race. The first Adam and the second,
Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 15:45
)
)
2.
What reason is given in Scripture that the posterity of Adam fell with
Adam?
The
reason is found in the covenant of works, in which life was promised upon
condition of obedience, and was made with Adam. This was made not only for
Adam but for his posterity.
3.
Since the covenant was a covenant of works, does this mean that Adam could
merit eternal life?
No,
it does not mean that Adam could merit eternal life. It was still God’s
grace that would give eternal life, but a grace that would
reward obedience.
4.
Was it fair that Adam should represent his posterity?
Yes,
it was fair since he was to be the common parent of all mankind, was
created perfectly holy, with full power to fulfill the condition of the
covenant.
5.
How could all mankind be in Adam when he first sinned?
All
mankind was in Adam in two ways:
1.
Virtually, as a natural root and,
2. Representatively, as a covenant head.
2. Representatively, as a covenant head.
6.
What is meant by saying “all mankind, descending from him by ordinary
generation, sinned in him?”
The
phrase “ordinary generation” is used to exclude Christ who descended as to
his human body from Adam, but not by ordinary generation since he was
conceived in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Almighty God
overshadowing her.
7.
I have always heard, “In Adam’s fall we sinned all.” Is this a
good commentary on this question?
This
is an excellent commentary. It should be understood by it that we are
sinners first of all because Adam, our representative, sinned for us. Our
corrupted nature is the result of our inheritance in Adam.
A HARD LESSON
Time and time again we hear people say, “I do not think it is fair that God hold us responsible for Adam’s sin!” Many people outside of Jesus Christ use this as one of their main excuses for refusing to come to Him. But whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches that God deals with humanity on the basis of the principle of representation.
Time and time again we hear people say, “I do not think it is fair that God hold us responsible for Adam’s sin!” Many people outside of Jesus Christ use this as one of their main excuses for refusing to come to Him. But whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches that God deals with humanity on the basis of the principle of representation.
This
principle is sometimes a hard lesson for us to learn. For those of us
saved by grace, saved by the “second Adam”, it is not hard for us to
accept the second representation. But sometimes even Christians wonder at
the fairness of the first representation. This works at the mind of many
Christians though very few will put it into words.
We
must remember in this realm, as in all realms of our relationship with
God, He is the Creator and Sovereign Lord, possessed of the right to
require anything of His creatures in whatever way His wisdom might
determine. His authority was, and is, unlimited. God could do anything to
Adam personally, and with a view to his posterity, which was consistent
with His own perfections. He is a law unto Himself and He acts according
to His own will. At the same time, in His relationship with Adam in the
Garden, He did not require anything of Adam that Adam was not able to
bear.
This
is the perspective that all God’s children must learn. The recognition
that He is Sovereign and we are not. The recognition that whatever method
He might want to use to teach us our lessons, the method is fair and just,
for He is the essence of fairness. Our business is not to complain but to
obey, not to fret but to accept, not to murmur but to rest in our duty of
decreasing, in all humility.
All
of this is a hard lesson for us to learn. James put it very well when he
said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you
up.” Many Christians desire to go a long way in the Lord’s work but do not
do so because they have not learned to give God the complete right to any
method, any means, any principle He might want to use with them. Some
think so many times God is unfair, they refuse to let Him have His way
with them, they refuse to submit to His authority and then wonder why He
Is not able to use them as they wish. In all our thoughts and words, in
all our actions and reactions, yea, in all areas of our lives we are
accountable unto Him. And obedience to the Word of God transcends duty and
privilege, attaining unto honor as He is thus glorified in our daily
lives. (Deut. 11: 1,13-19).
,13-19).
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