Original sin refers to the first sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis chapters 2-3 in the Bible. When God created the first man and woman, He gave them free will and a choice to obey or disobey His commands. God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they were tempted by the serpent and chose to disobey God, eating the forbidden fruit. This first sin of disobedience corrupted the nature of humankind and created a separation between God and humanity.
The doctrine of original sin affirms that the sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden has inherently tainted all subsequent generations of humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, human nature was fundamentally damaged. This original sin is passed down from generation to generation, so that every person born after Adam and Eve inherits a nature inclined toward sin. No person (except Jesus Christ) is free from original sin. According to Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Humanity inherits the guilt of Adam’s sin and is powerless to save itself from sin.
The key aspects of the doctrine of original sin include:
1. The Imputation of Guilt: Adam’s guilt is imputed to his descendants. Humans are held accountable for the first sin though they did not actually commit it themselves.
2. The Imputation of Corruption: The original righteousness and holiness of Adam was lost through his first sin. This corrupted nature is transmitted to Adam’s posterity. Humans have an inherent propensity toward evil.
3. Total Depravity: Due to original sin, human nature is completely tainted by evil. Every part of man—his body, intellect, emotions, and will—have been affected by sin. Man cannot save himself and is utterly dependent on God’s grace for salvation.
4. Death as a Consequence: God’s penalty for original sin is physical death as well as spiritual death (separation from God). All sickness, pain, and suffering in the world is a result of humankind’s banishment from the Garden of Eden after original sin.
5. Universal Guilt: Original sin has universally affected all members of the human race. Every person, without exception, is born with a sinful nature. Even infants, though they have no personal sins, share in the guilt of Adam.
6. Necessity of Redemption: Since man is fallen and sinful, he cannot save himself. Salvation can come only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The sin of Adam made Christ’s redemption necessary for all.
The Old Testament foundation for the doctrine of original sin includes passages such as Psalm 51:5 which states, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” This verse teaches that individuals are born in sin, even from birth. In Job 14:4, Job asks, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.” This rhetorical question points to the fact that human nature is unclean and unable to make itself clean.
The New Testament also contains passages supporting original sin. Ephesians 2:3 says that in pre-salvation state, people are “by nature children of wrath.” Romans 5:12-19 contrasts how the sin of Adam spread death and condemnation to all, while Christ’s righteousness spreads justification and life. 1 Corinthians 15:22 states, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” This verse draws a parallel between the sin of Adam which brings death, and the righteousness of Christ which brings life.
The Old Testament recounts the origin and events of the first human sin:
– God created Adam and Eve in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:26-28).
– God allowed Adam and Eve to eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).
– Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, and she gave the fruit to Adam who also ate (Genesis 3:1-7).
– As a result of their disobedience, Adam and Eve immediately experienced shame, guilt, and separation from God (Genesis 3:8-13).
– God cursed the serpent, Eve, Adam, and the rest of creation because of original sin, as sin’s consequences entered the world (Genesis 3:14-19).
– Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden due to their newly corrupted nature (Genesis 3:22-24).
In the New Testament, Romans 5:12-21 provides the most detailed teachings about original sin and its comparison to the righteousness of Christ:
– Through Adam, sin entered into the world and spread to all people, bringing spiritual death (Romans 5:12).
– Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over those who did not break a command, pointing to Adam’s one trespass bringing condemnation to all (Romans 5:14).
– Through one man’s trespass, many were made sinners. Adam’s disobedience made all sinners (Romans 5:19).
– The free gift of righteousness and justification comes through Christ, bringing eternal life (Romans 5:17-19).
– Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20-21).
Theologians have articulated the doctrine of original sin using terms like “inherited guilt,” “sinful nature,” “depravity,” and “condemnation.” This theology developed relatively early in the history of the Christian Church. Some key contributors include:
– Irenaeus (2nd century): Irenaeus emphasized that Adam’s sin corrupted human nature and this fallen nature is inherited. He contrasted fallen Adam with Jesus Christ as the new Adam who brings salvation.
– Augustine (4th-5th century): Augustine is one of the most influential early theologians articulating original sin. He taught that the inherent sinful nature of humankind was passed down generationally from Adam. Augustine believed that the corruption of original sin extends to every aspect of human nature.
– Thomas Aquinas (13th century): Aquinas did not believe that original sin entirely corrupted human nature. He taught that the negative effects of the Fall disabled and weakened human nature but did not totally depraved it. Infants who died unbaptized would not suffer in hell but would experience a lesser natural happiness.
– John Calvin (16th century): Calvin was a key Reformer who articulated a strong view of total depravity. Due to original sin, man is utterly unable to save himself. Calvin emphasized that only predestination by the unconditional election of God could overcome man’s depraved nature.
– Council of Trent (16th century): This Catholic council affirmed original sin but declared that baptism removes original sin. Trent rejected that concupiscence (human inclination to sin) is truly sinful. Trent emphasized cooperation between human will and divine grace.
Along with the early church fathers, Catholic and Orthodox churches have historically affirmed the reality of original sin. It is also a foundational doctrine for Protestants. Nevertheless, some modern theologians have reinterpreted or minimized original sin in favor of alternative paradigms for understanding human nature. The doctrine remains essential for explaining human depravity and the necessity of Christ’s atoning work.
The doctrine of original sin explains why Christ’s atoning death was necessary. Scripture teaches that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Because Adam’s transgression brought sin and death to the entire human race, Christ took on flesh to die as an atoning substitute for the sins of humankind. Only Jesus Christ, born of a virgin and without inherited sin, could fulfill this role. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For our sake he [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus bore the penalty for sin on the cross so that humans could be reconciled with God.
Original sin explains why salvation cannot be earned through good works or the law, but must come by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). If humans were not inherently sinful, salvation might come by humans perfecting themselves. But as Romans 3:20 states, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” The total depravity caused by original sin shows that salvation can only come by grace.
Understanding original sin helps explain the ongoing struggle between flesh and spirit within believers. Though Christians are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), they still battle indwelling sin because of the fallen nature inherited from Adam (Romans 7:21-25). A Christian’s spirit is redeemed but the flesh is not yet fully redeemed. The struggle with sin will continue until the ultimate redemption of the body at the resurrection (Romans 8:23).
In summary, the doctrine of original sin is vital for understanding the human condition and need for salvation. As descendants of Adam, all humans have inherited a sinful nature making them prone to unrighteousness. They cannot save themselves by their own efforts. Original sin clarifies why the atoning work of Christ was essential to deal with the guilt, penalty, and power of sin. It also explains why applying Christ’s redemptive work by faith is the only way people can be regenerated and declared righteous before God. The inherited sinful nature from Adam ultimately serves to highlight the splendor of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
