Are we to repent for our ancestors past sins?

[Aquila]

And so far in this discussion we've only focused on the social and practical aspects repentance from ancestral sin and its effects.

We've not even delved into the topic of demonic strongholds, demonization, and even curses that can span generations.

[Aquila]

Here's a thought...

Imagine a 20ft glass statue of Adam. Now imagine that this 20ft glass statue of Adam falls... and shatters into billions of glass shards. Each glass shard will be individual and unique. However, each shard (both individually and collectively) is... also Adam. Is it not?

The condemnation of the entire human race is based on a single ancestor's sin - the sin of Adam. And our ancestors after him have only added to the iniquity. And their sins have caused a ripple effect that has had ramifications effecting billions of lives, including our own, to this very day.

Look at the conflict in the Middle East. Is it not traced back to a single act of deception between Jacob and Esau? How many continue to suffer and die to this very day, because of that single sin and the blood feud it created?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

LOL

I don't see it as being as simple as that. While slavery was abolished, many generations afterwards have suffered from prejudice, racism, discrimination, and systematic oppression that has left an impact on millions... even unto this very day. Thank God those effects are lessening with every generation. But the effects of many of those wrongs still remain.

Remember, God is a God of justice. And the effects of a single sinful injustice can span more than one generation, and touch millions of lives.

If there is any way to right the wrongs of our ancestors, our nation, or our churches, and we fail or refuse to right them... does not the responsibility for the sin and its effects on so many lives then become our own?

Put your white privilege up for sale on e-bay. That should help.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

What? That's not what's being said.

We're talking about the sins of the fathers that have been perpetuated down through generations. Taking it to God as high priests of our family lines and repenting of it, because it offended God. And in the Scriptures, God repeatedly visits the sins of the fathers on the current generation. And so, we bring it to Him, confess it and repent of it, ending any perpetuated action that remains on account of ancestral influences. Redeeming the family name, and setting any outstanding wrongs right.

when your born again you take on another family name and that is Jesus.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Put your white privilege up for sale on e-bay. That should help.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm in complete agreement with much of what you guys are saying. However, what I'm talking about isn't necessarily what you're talking about.

I'm not talking about being embarrassed over any ancestors. However, I do believe there are situations wherein we should be disgusted or even repulsed by the actions of our ancestors. For example, if one's ancestors were Nazis, confirmed slave traders and slave owners, etc. We shouldn't white wash or romanticize these things. They should be denounced and held as being abhorrent.

I'm not talking about being judged in the judgement over another's sins, or being able to somehow earn forgiveness for our ancestors.

I'm not talking about sackcloth and ashes over a single ancestor's shooting spree or robbery.

I'm talking about being judged for not trying to right wrongs, mend generational wounds, and moving forward with amends, and a clean break from sins perpetuated in families when possible.

For example, the Pope's formal acknowledgment of the atrocities and persecutions committed by the Roman Catholic Church during the Inquisitions. German acknowledgement of the atrocities of the Holocaust. United States official apologies to native peoples acknowledging various atrocities committed against their people.

When I was a younger man, I considered taking a missions trip to Vietnam. You see, my dad served in Vietnam on a Howitzer 155, leveling entire villages, and he didn't just kill military targets. Something in me wanted to bring the Word if life to the Vietnamese people, on account of my father's bringing of death. Vets often get it. One very moving film I saw years back had soldiers from both sides of the Pacific front in WWII meeting and weeping together. A repentant heart can mend pain that might be carried for generations.

Sometimes there's nothing we can do but offer acknowledgement and apology. But we should be open to making restitution or reparation when and where possible.

who is the "we" that should be making restitution or reparation. Are you speaking of a nation or a family or an individual for something they personally did? Restitution or reparation to whom? Those immediately effected, generations after the original victim, who? so there was slavery in the US, who owned slaves? all white people? who were the slaves? all black people? this type of identity politics is what is ruining our country. group classification is the single biggest instigator of hate in our nation and you still push it. individuals should be treated, judged etc as individuals not groups.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Put your white privilege up for sale on e-bay. That should help.

Now that's funny!
A - maybe you need to refine your position, because this is what I hear.

In order to be saved, you must repent for the sins of your fathers (and mothers, I presume).

You gave a very moving example, now let me give you another one.
Let's say your father was a serial adulterer.
Would you need to find the women, husbands, children of the families who he caused anguish and sorrow to and apologize to them?
Then let's say your great-grandfather was the owner of a mill in New England who employed mainly women and children. Would you need to find all of their relatives and ask their forgiveness.
That is madness.
Which is why the Bible does not ask us to do that.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Put your white privilege up for sale on e-bay. That should help.

LOL

I don't think white privilege is the issue. But, it might be a factor in the big ball of mess we're in.

However, your statement does remind me of a video that illustrated a point regarding how white privilege works.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

when your born again you take on another family name and that is Jesus.

Amen. That is so very true as it relates to salvation. No one would dare say that Ezra was lost on account of the sins of the people's fathers. However, he tearfully pleaded for God to have mercy upon the people for not only their sins, but also the sins of their fathers. Why?

It's rather simple...

But what is sown, will be reaped. Previous generations have sown oppression, violence, genocide, and the perversion of humanity and justice. We're blind if we think that will not effect us, our children, and our entire society and haven't contributed to the very fabric of the society we live in. And if there be any way to right any wrong of our fathers... and we ignore it... we become implicated and share in their guilt.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

LOL

I don't think white privilege is the issue. But, it might be a factor in the big ball of mess we're in.

However, your statement does remind me of a video that illustrated a point regarding how white privilege works.

once again propagating something that doesnt exist. This video is a liberal message to make whites feel bad for loving their families, sticking together in a marriage, providing for their kids and making wise choices. what does any of that have to do with the color of your skin? all those kids were given what their parents handed to them..white privilege?