Some thoughts on the universal implications of Romans 5:12-19
A universal damnation matched by a conditional reconciliation?
Introduction
Romans 5:12-19 is a master class in the poetic and logical mirroring that recurs throughout the Bible. In these verses, Paul speaks of a “universal damnation” that is inescapable yet reversed (and beyond) in the person of Jesus (Adam 2.0).
But a solid majority of Christians, in multiple denominations and sub-groups, will likely all agree that this universal and inescapable damnation through Adam is countered in the person of Jesus by… (drum roll…)
A conditional reconciliation that IS escapable.
Hold the phone. A universal damnation matched by a conditional reconciliation? To quote a vanishing René Descartes, “I think not.” (That’s a bad philosophy joke, in case you were wondering).
Inverse realities
I prefer the more exact mirroring: Just as we were the recipients of a universal and inescapable damnation in Adam, we are now the recipients of a universal and inescapable reclamation in Christ.
The essential question should be: can one choose to remain in the old man if the new man has rendered him utterly void? How can I remain in that which is no more? How can I remain in death if death is swallowed up in victory? Indeed, these are the questions that have divided the camps.
But as I leave such questions to smarter and wiser people, let’s instead attempt to observe the base mechanics of these inverse Adam/Christ realities, if we can.
Despite my agonizing free will, up to now, I have been unable to opt out of the death that entered the world through Adam. Just so, should I assume that I am any more able to opt out of the life and reclamation that has entered the world through Christ? Many would say, “Yes, and it is clear from scripture.”
Clear as mud, perhaps. Or, to be more precise, clear as context.
If I say, “I reject death; I choose instead to live forever,” most people, Christians and non, will call me a deluded fool, and rightly so.
But if I say, “I reject the gift of God freely given in Christ Jesus; I choose to die and suffer forever,” the same people will nod and say, “Yes, you have that option if you wish.”
I’m not saying this isn’t true or isn’t the correct awareness of the raw state of things. I simply draw attention to the logical imbalance between the Universal Damnation on the one hand and the apparent Conditional Reconciliation on the other.
Logical (or illogical) considerations
But here’s what I’m contemplating, and I beg your grace and forgiveness if these ruminations already have a long history of being rebutted or, dare I say it, refuted:
Death enters the world through Adam. Whether I know Adam or anything he supposedly did or didn’t do, I receive the universal consequence of Adam’s sin. Free will has no power here; I cannot opt out of Adam’s reality. And neither can you.
Justification and life enter the world through Jesus Christ. Now, allow me to apply the same logic I applied with Adam above. Whether I know Christ or anything he supposedly did or didn’t do, I receive the universal consequence of Christ’s obedience (covenant faithfulness). Free will has no power here; I cannot opt out of Christ’s reality. And neither can you.
To this, some will quote from the same chapter, “But the gift is not like the trespass” (5:15, NIV). To which I would reply: No, it certainly isn’t. Life is nothing like death. And Paul makes that clear when he distinguishes the condemnation that enters the world through Adam from the justification that enters the same world through Christ.
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” (5:18).
Adam — all people. Christ — all people.
A brief appeal to expert commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers expounds on Romans 5:15 as follows:
"Now comes the statement of the contrast which extends over the next five verses. The points of difference are thrown into relief by the points of resemblance. These may be, perhaps, best presented by the subjoined scheme:--
Persons of the action.
One man, Adam.
One Man, Christ.
The action.
One act of trespass.
One act of obedience.
Character of the action viewed in its relation to the Fall and Salvation of man.
The great initial trespass or breach of the law of God.
The great accomplished work of grace, or the gift of righteousness.
Persons affected by the action.
All mankind...."
All mankind? All mankind….
Conclusion
I’ll close by saying that I’m conscious of the dangers inherent in reading snippets of Romans in isolation, with a philosophical-over-exegetical bent and without taking the entire letter into account, e.g., its cumulative implications regarding the overarching Law/Grace exposition and the “all” encompassing both Jew and Gentile. So, here’s a link to N.T. Wright’s Romans for Everyone. There, now I feel better.
Well, that’s all for today. God bless!
P.S. Enjoy this "small working model of new creation" I made in 2018. It seems to fit with the overall theme of today's post.