Augustine described things as follows: In his original state Adam was “able not to sin and not to die.” In his actual state (after The Fall), Adam was “not able not to sin and die.” That is where we find ourselves today. In Psalm 32, David expresses his experience of being forgiven. It is a joyful psalm, because forgiveness is a joyful thing.
The best children’s literature is not only written for children. Fairy tales can be full of danger and drama and life and death struggles – like the best literature. In Calvin and Hobbes (which used to be my personal favorite comic) there are always monsters under the bed, aliens or “Deranged Killer Monster Snow Goons” ready to attack. It’s the drama that makes them so enjoyable.
The Bible is very realistic about its heroes and villains. The human characters are very human – people we can usually identify with. King Jehoshaphat is one of those.
God’s intention is to forgive and to heal. Humble repentance on our part is a necessary part of that process.
Central Reflections 