HEBREWS 4:14–16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin
(Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus was not only fully God, He was also fully man. He became man in order to save us from our sins. To represent humanity before the Father, He had to be a man. Since we have dealt with this theme already in these lessons, let us consider an important aspect of this matter, which is that Christ was absolutely sinless.
Some liberal theologians have objected to the doctrine of the sinlessness of Christ. They maintain that in order for Jesus to be like us, and to be truly human, He must have sinned. Against this is the clear statement of the New Testament that Jesus was without sin.
Also against it are a couple of logical considerations. First, if sinfulness is part of the definition of humanity, then Adam and Eve were created sinful by God. God becomes responsible for making Adam and Eve sinful. Second, if sinfulness is part of the definition of humanity, then when we are glorified in the new heavens and new earth, and are sinless, we shall no longer be human!
The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell argued that it was wicked of Jesus to threaten men with hell. He was simply bullying people, said Russell, and it is cruel to browbeat men with a threat of eternal fire. Well, this would be true if there were no such thing as hell. But suppose that there is? Suppose hell is real? In that case, the most loving thing Jesus could do would be to warn men day and night to flee the wrath to come. Since the Bible clearly teaches that there is a hell of eternal torment, certainly Jesus was not being mean in telling people about it!
Why did Jesus have to be sinless? Our salvation has two aspects to it. First, our sins were put upon Jesus Christ and He took the punishment that we deserve. Second, however, Jesus’ perfect obedience and righteousness were given to us, so that we are made righteous in the eyes of God the Father. Apart from this, we could not be saved.
CORAM DEO
Exodus 25, 26
Matthew 21:1–22
Attempt to understand today some of the staggering implications of Christ’s sinlessness. He had no sin of commission or omission; no sin in thought, word, deed, or intention. Compare your life and actions to Christ’s and renew your dependence on Him alone.
For further study: Hebrews 2:5–18; 4:14–16; 7:23–28
TABLETALK
from ligonier ministries and teaching and encouraging believers • february 1990
WHAT HATH GUTENBERG WROUGHT?
Daily Studies From The Teaching Fellowship Of R. C. Sproul
publisher Ligonier Ministries executive editor Ralph D. Veerman editor Robert F. Ingram
creative services Michael S. Beates, David K. Freeland marketing/production W. David Fox, Melissa Prichard, Gretchen Suskovic circulation Gwen Weber
writer Sharon Anderson board of directors Bruce Fogerty, G. Richard Hostetter, Robert C. Legler, Stephen H. Levee, Jr., C. G. Mills, Archie B. Parrish, Jim Seneff, R. C. Sproul, John Thompson, Ralph Veerman, Luder Whitlock, Charles Colson (Director Emeritus)
Published by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc. under license granted by Ligonier Ministries, Inc. Copyright 1990, Ligonier Ministries. Inc. This Bible study is based upon teaching material by Dr. R. C. Sproul. Unless noted, all Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishers.
member evangelical press association
On the Cover: The first proof from Gutenberg’s press: the Mazarin Bible. Completed no later than 1456, it is believed to be the first book printed in Europe from movable type. Superstock, New York.
robert ingram • editor
Coram Deo
Try to imagine the decision that Gutenberg had to make when he invented movable type. He had worked for years in secret, originating a process that was not even fully disclosed to the investors of the project. Finally, in 1454, the first modern printing press was ready to print. What would Gutenberg print, knowing that its printing and dissemination would change the course of history?
The Bible was an option, but not his only one. The Renaissance was already well underway as was the humanist rediscovery of the classics. The great revival of arts, letters, and learning throughout Europe was creating the transition from the medieval to the modern world. Could it have been that choosing to print the Bible was ultimately a display of Gutenberg’s deep commitment to propagate the truth he knew in the Scriptures?
I don’t know. It is intriguing, however, that the foundation of the modern print media was christened with the Scriptures.
For the first time the Bible could be made readily available to the people. Here, for the first time, mass communication could occur. What better to communicate to the masses than truth?
With that in mind we devote this issue of Tabletalk to the results and fruit of the print media. Is the passionate concern for truth a priority in the daily decisions made by professionals in this industry? Certainly the industry is not committed to theological truth. The question now raised by a growing number of people in our culture is whether the media is committed to truth in any field or discipline.
Those who have contributed to this issue—Cal Thomas, Marvin Olasky, Ken Myers and R. C.—all speak with an acknowledged authority from within the “system.” Their livelihoods are drawn from the print media, and they have a vested, Christian interest in preserving it as a unique platform from which to speak the truth to all of life. In this sense they are engaged in Coram Deo, for they are straining to make all of life conform to the image of Christ and to interpret all of life in a theological perspective. Their point of view is inclusive, knowing that God is sovereign over all, even over that which Gutenberg wrought. ■
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