Original Sin

Original Sin Common Misconception ”Original Sin” is the first sin committed by Adam and Eve Instead “Original Sin” refers to its consequences The Westminster Confession expresses the results of the Fall “By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body…From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.”

Original Sin We are sinners not because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners. Which one of these phrases does Scripture affirm. Why?

Scriptural Affirmations about Original Sin Extent of sin: Universal Intensiveness of Sin: Total Are we morally neutral? No. We would expect someone to live w/o succumbing to sin. But we know this isn’t true Some say if it wasn’t for our culture, then we wouldn’t sin, but human beings make up the culture, so this explanation doesn’t work.

Original sin is itself a judgment of a righteous God upon creatures that He created to be good. God gave Adam and Eve over to their wicked inclinations, which included us.

Moral Inability Augustine’s insight is crucial for better understanding Original Sin. Posse Peccare - Ability to sin. Peccare – to sin Adam & Eve were not created as sinners, but had the ability to sin.

Adam & Eve also were created Posse Non Peccare or Ability Not to sin After the fall, the human race lost Posse Non Peccare Our current position: Non Posse Non Peccare No longer able not to sin

God’s Standard Mark 10:18; Romans 3:10 This isn’t to say we can’t do good things, but we are not morally able to do the good that God requires. John 6:65 Jesus is not saying that no one is allowed to come to Him, but that no one can, or is able to, come to Him unless God does something.

Theories of Original Sin Pelagianism Human beings are created free from controlling influence, including any determining influences of the Fall. Thus Adam becomes a bad example to Human Beings Summary: God imputes neither a corrupted nature nor guilt to humankind.

Theories of Original Sin Semi-Pelagianism (Arminianism) Humans need special divine help (prevenient grace)to fulfill God’s commands. Summary: God imputes a corrupted nature but not guilt in the sense of culpability.

Theories of Original Sin Augustinianism God imputes both a corrupted nature and guilt