A VERY LARGE DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

By Dr M R Dowler

October 12, 1999 marked a milestone in human history---the earth’s population reached six billion. That number seems large (and it is), but it’s paltry compared to the world’s population as of ten minutes of this posting---7,416,534,110 and growing. In fact according to statistics, 25 babies are born every five seconds, while four people die. The UN says our population doubles about every forty years; twelve billion by 2040; twenty-four billion by 2080. And if those figures are hard to wrap your mind around consider a couple of strange but true facts.

Interestingly, the entire population of the world could easily fit into the state of Texas, provided of course there were no roads, farms, buildings or trees, and that thirty-five people lived in an one-acre space. But that’s not as crowded as if today’s seven billion population were to stand within the largest city in the United States…Jacksonville, Florida. Yes, you read it right! Jacksonville, Florida became the world’s largest city (by land mass) in 1968 when Duval County consolidated with its county seat, creating enough room (874 square miles) that every person on earth could stand within a two-foot by two-foot square. You would have get rid of every vestige of civilization (like Texas), but the population could fit within its city limits.

Scientists and historians suggest that some 90-110 billion humans have lived on this planet from the time of creation. And every one of us (past and present) share a common problem; separation from our Creator because of sin. Theologically, the doctrine of sin is called harmartiology, derived from two Greek words that describes our universal predicament; “harmatema” meaning to miss the mark (Romans 3:10, 23), and “parabasis” meaning to cross a forbidden line (Acts 1:25; James 2:11; 1 John 3:4).

It is important to understand that how we view sin is a reflection of our understanding and perception of God. If we view God as high and holy (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:1-3), then sin is as repugnant to us as it is to Him. If on the other hand, God is viewed as a doting and indulgent grandfather type, then sin is often flippantly viewed as no big deal. However, despite how we view God doesn’t change the fact that we all are members of a very large dysfunctional family. Some try to placate their sin with good works and reform (Ephesians 2:8-9); however, Jesus is the only source of total and complete forgiveness (Titus 3:3-7). Our doctrine of sin does indeed reflect our doctrine of God. Think about it.