Understanding Original Sin

Have you ever heard of the phrase "original sin"? It's a term that comes with a variety of interpretations, mainly divided into a few perspectives: Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Calvinism. Let's delve into what each of these views says about original sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace..

Different Views on Original Sin

Pelagianism

Pelagianism takes a unique stance by denying the concept of original sin altogether. According to this view, Adam's sin merely serves as an example of what humanity should avoid. Pelagianism argues that humans are not born with an inherent sin but learn to sin by following Adam's example.

Arminianism

Arminianism, on the other hand, posits that humans do not inherit the guilt of Adam's transgression. Instead, individuals inherit a "sin nature." This sin nature implies that by merely being human, one is inclined towards sin from birth. For instance, even a baby's seemingly innocent actions can be seen as manifestations of this inherent sin nature, despite the baby not understanding these actions consciously.

Calvinism

Calvinism presents yet another perspective, suggesting that humans inherit the guilt of Adam's sin. According to this view, individuals are born sinners, carrying the burden of Adam's guilt until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. However, some segments within Calvinism offer a slightly modified view. They argue that original sin is imputed to an individual not at birth but the moment one commits an act of sin, though this is not a view held by classic five-point Calvinism. Classic Calvinism teaches that original sin, as per Catholic tradition, implies that humans are born sinful due to Adam's actions.

Original Sin and Jesus

There's an interesting discussion within Christianity, particularly when examining the narratives in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. These texts discuss how the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, leading to the conception of Jesus. The significance here lies in the fact that Jesus, having God as his father, did not inherit the sin nature. This is because the sin nature is believed to transfer through man, not woman.

However, a question arises: If Jesus had a human mother, Mary, how was he exempt from original sin? The Catholic viewpoint offers an explanation, suggesting that Mary's immaculate conception prevented the transmission of original sin to Jesus. This idea, however, is not found in Scripture, which only states Mary's virginity as being necessary due to prophecy.

Personal Beliefs

Reflecting on the title "Original Sin – Not," I find myself aligning more with the Arminian view. I believe that while we inherit a sin nature and are born into a fallen world, we are only guilty of the sins we personally commit. It's noteworthy that when Jesus addressed the Pharisees, he mentioned that they would die in "your sins," not in Adam's sin. This reinforces the view that individuals are responsible for their own actions, not Adam's original transgression.

The Nature of Sin: A Perspective

Mary was not perfect; like all humans, she had a sin nature. No one on earth has been perfect except Christ Jesus. Despite her imperfection, it is important to consider the implications of this sin nature.

The Humanity of Jesus

Mary’s sin nature was passed on to her son, Jesus. He was human and was tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. This was possible because His father comprised the other part of His genetic makeup, which endowed Him with the capacity to resist tapping into that sin nature. Jesus was tempted in all things and overcame those temptations on our behalf.

Original Sin: A Controversial View

In my opinion, the doctrine of original sin is not tenable. It is a Calvinistic and Catholic perspective that I find very objectionable. I believe it contradicts the view of a just and fair God. The notion that God would condemn a two-and-a-half-year-old to hell for being born with a sin nature, without ever knowing Christ during their short life, is deeply unsettling.

Rethinking Sin

Thus, it is perhaps more constructive to consider the concept of a sin nature over the doctrine of original sin. This perspective allows for a more compassionate and just understanding of human imperfection and divine grace.