Featured The fundamental causes of mankind's sin nature.

It does depend on definitions.

Let's clarify -

Scripture refers to our natural state as "flesh" and as opposed to "spirit".

If we used "flesh" and "spirit" then perhaps it would be easier.

By "sin nature" if you mean a moral nature that is inclined to the flesh then I agree. It just seems easier to call this a "human nature" as nature itself does not equate to sin but temptation (see James 1-3).


This is how Christ could be the Son of Man (or "Adam"), btw. He was tempted in all points as are we (he had this human nature....you'd say "sin nature") but without sin (although tempted He did not give in to that temptation).

 

Yep. Human nature is not a sin itself. Neither is temptation.

James tells is that sin happens when we allow ourselves to give in to temptation.

Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Adam (Man)". He identifies as one of us, as a human being.

Jesus did not sin by being man. Being flesh itself is not sinful.

What we inherit from Adam is not a "sin nature" but a human nature and eyes opened to know good and evil.

The reason I don't like calling human nature a "sin nature" is it can lead to misunderstanding (Jesus would have had a "sin nature"). Maybe it would help as it highlights that Jesus did not sin although He had a human nature....but it still seems odd.

 

You are partially right.

The Son, being God, always possessed a knowledge of good and evil.

But you have also contradicted yourself.

Romans 8:3 tells us that Jesus came in the form of sinful flesh.

This does not mean He sinned. Our being in the form of sinful flesh is not a sin. Sin is giving into the desires of this flesh.

That is how sin could ne condemned in the flesh (by being in the form of sinful flesh, being tempted, yet not giving in to temptation).

 

This is your contradiction.

Yes, that form. This is what the word "likeness" means. It does not mean "similar to" but "in the form of".

The Word was made flesh. There is only one kind of flesh in terms of man ("sinful flesh").

This does not mean "sin".

It means that we are tempted by fleshly desires (and yes, Jesus was tempted in all points as man).

The Son was made "sinful flesh" but without sin. He had our flesh. He suffered our temptations. And He destroyed sin in the flesh.

He most often referred to Himself as the Son of Adam. This was not by accident. He shared our nature but where we give in to sinful flesh, He did not.

 

I understand it to mean that Jesus had to be made like His brethren, that He had to come in the form of sinful flesh, that He had to be tempted in every way man in order to reconcile man. The difference not being the flesh but giving into temptation (He did not sin whereas we give in to temptation and sin).


Exactly how do you understand "in the likeness/form of sinful flesh"?

 

I am not sure where we disagree.

We both believe that Jesus is sinless. We both agree that Jesus is God.

This has nothing to do with coming in the form of sinful flesh.

Being sinful flesh is not a sin. It is having the desires of the flesh. Actually giving into temptation is where we sin (see James 1-3).

I am saying that Jesus was made like His brothers, that He was tempted in all ways that are common to man (sinful flesh) yet He was also without sin (the temptation was real, but He did not sin).