Atheist Bible Study 1: Genesis

[tackattack]

It is clear in both the NT and OT that flesh was corrupted, that no man can always be righteous all the time. It is also clear that there was a method of repentance and atonement , pre-law, with-law and fulfilled law. Thus the simplest conclusion is that there is a tendency to be sinful, which prevents us from being righteous all the time. We can be righteously helping the poor in one minute, stub our toe, and blaspheming God the next. If you were to talking to someone else about how I helped the poor, you'd say I was righteous. If you were condemning my blasphemy you'd say I blasphemed and should be punished. The same applies to all of the figures you pointed out in the Bible. God's perspective, is above ours and He is a righteous judge. We don't "know" anyone's thoughts or heart.

So Lot (abraham, et al) being assumed righteous in the NT, is a guess not a contradiction. Anyone of them can be righteous at any one point in time. Righteousness is the act of being in right standing with God. It's a act/moment. Sin is also an act, an act against God. Sitting here typing am I sinning or righteous? Neither, I'm just eating breakfast.

To your other point, A Holy God doesn't see any difference between murder and adultery. The entry into Heaven is not based on works, IMO. That's not to say that more righteous doesn't get more rewards once in heaven, merely that the entry fee is the same price for all.