My Father's Genes

My Father’s Genes – Part I

I have been intrigued for some time by the science of DNA from a layman’s perspective, particularly in how it and the human conception and birth process work together.

Is being born again easier to understand if we first understand being born at all? What similarities, if any, exist between the two that might help our understanding? We will explore these and other important questions in a multi-part series over the next weeks and perhaps months.

Biblical Background and Foundation

“But, that’s impossible!” Nick vehemently protested. “Can a man enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born?” (my paraphrase)

Jesus had just given His famous response to Nicodemus, found in John chapter 3, verse 3 (NIV): “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” This verse has arguably been the launching pad and foundation stone for all Christian evangelical preaching ever since.

Jesus says something else at this point: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (verses 5 and 6, emphasis added) Verse 6 in other translations reads: “Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit.” (New Century Version), and: “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.” (New Living Translation)

Still, the question begs: Why is a second birth necessary? In the spiritual realm, does that imply the absence of a spiritual nature in humans before being born again, or is mankind originally born with an ungodly spiritual nature? Is it easier for God to fill the vacuum of no spiritual nature with one of His choosing, or to replace an existing ungodly spiritual nature with His own?

We will begin answering these questions in our next posting.

Whatever Happened to SIN?

Whatever Happened to SIN?

Have you noticed that at the center of SIN is I?

Have you also noticed that SIN is an acrostic for Self Indulgent Nature?

The good and encouraging news is that if you insert a picture of Jesus with His arms outstretched in the place of the I, He and His blood will cover you and be the cure for sin and the provider of victorious life! Who else can you or will you trust with your life?