Why the duality?

1. 62

   Druid1952posted 12 years ago

   Why the duality?
   
   Churches (through their preachers) tell us that man has two natures, an evil one and a good one. Does not this make you ask why "God" would instill these two opposing characteristics in us when we are made in his image?

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2. 85

   cprice75posted 12 years ago

   According to Christian teaching (at least from a reformed view), men only have a depraved nature from birth.  In other words, all men tend to evil if not restrained.  Only regeneration, or the new birth in Christ, instills the good nature, although it does not remove the bad.   From the time of conversion, a person then has the two natures.  The depraved nature came from the fall of Adam as the head of the human race.  The "good" nature comes from Christ as the head of those who are regenerated.

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3. 0

   SirDentposted 12 years ago

   The first man was created in the likeness and image of God.  God is spirit and can do anything, go anywhere etc. . .  When Adam ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge, there was a change.  Before the change, there was no death for man.  After disobeying God, death entered into the world of man. 
   
   The flesh of man will die but the spirit will abide forever.  God did not make the flesh that man has today.  We are now in the flesh of disobedience which is rebellion against God. 
   
   There are two opposing forces.  The flesh is against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh.  The flesh is death while the spirit is life.  Paul wrote it best when he asked, "Who can deliver me from this body of death?"   Only God can deliver anyone.

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4. 62

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I'm not sure what churches you are speaking of.  I attend a church that preaches straight from Scripture not the pastor's opinion.  Scripture teaches us that man has a sinful nature and is redeemed in the eyes of God, by the death of his Son, Jesus Christ.  So to me that means there is no duality.
   
   Preacher's opinons are not relevant and should be left out of the pulpit  - my husband was a Lutheran pastor until his retirement last year. I often heard him tell his congregation to question anything he might say that did not line up with Scripture. He was careful to let people know when something was his opinion.

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5. 59

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   Because al religioius texts are the word of man, mankind only thinks on most matters in dualistic (opposites) terms instead of accepting the way things are is the nature of things.
   Probably the only texts dealing with life in a non-dualistic way come from the various forms of Buddhism.

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