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After the Pelagius-Augustine controversy in the 5th century, the doctrine of original sin gained acquiescence in the religious circle. Pelagius argued that all men imitate the disobedience of Adam and Eve and hence are individually responsible for their own spiritual condition. Augustine however took the position that after the fall of our first parents, their progenies inherited a sinful nature (and are thus born already condemned). In AD 418, the view of Augustine was adopted by the General Council of the African churches and became the bedrock of Calvinism. From 13th November, 1618 to 9th May, 1819, the Great Synod of Dort adopted the principles written down by John Calvin which became known as “The 5 Points of Calvinism”.
Article 15 of the Belgic Confession of 1561 reads, “Original sin is a corruption of the whole human nature- an inherited depravity which even infects small infants in their mother’s womb, and the root which produces in humanity every sort of sin. It is therefore so vile and enormous in God’s sight that it is enough to condemn the human race, and it is not abolished or wholly uprooted even by baptism, seeing that sin constantly boils forth as though from a contaminated spring.”
Louis Berkhof also noted that, “Original sin is both a state and an inherent quality of pollution in man. Every man is guilty in Adam, and is consequently born with a depravity and corrupt nature. And this inner corruption is the unholy fountain of all actual sins.” (Systematic Theology, p. 275). Augustus Strong wrote, “The sin of Adam is the immediate cause and ground of inborn depravity, guilt and condemnation to the whole human race.” (Systematic Theology, p. 625). R. C Sproul, the renowned Lutheran pastor once said: “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.”
Men of renown have since taught this doctrine but we raise the legitimate question; “is the doctrine of original sin taught in the Scriptures? The Bible teaches that the inner man is a divine amenity. It is therefore not a quality that can be inherited physically or spiritually! God through Ezekiel said: “Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine; the soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4. Solomon wrote of the destiny of all men when he said: “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7. David praised Jehovah when he said, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:13-14. In Zechariah 12:1, Zechariah affirmed, “God forms the spirit of man within him.” God is the source of the inner being of man and as such it cannot be depraved or corruption as at the time it is given.
Moreover, the Bible teaches that children are born innocent just as Adam was created in the beginning. Discussing true greatness, Jesus taught, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 18:3, 19:14; Luke 18:16,17. The soul was given from heaven uncorrupted and if it will ever return to its former habitation, it must return just as it left. That was Jesus’ teaching in this verse! In Romans 7:9, Paul admitted, “I was alive once without the law…” How Paul? Did you live before the law of Moses? NO! At birth right through infancy he was (like all men) alive and pure. Of baby John it was said, “he will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” Luke 1:15 How will a sinner be filled with the Holy Spirit? There is no escape! Children are born pure and innocent.
The Bible teaches that sin is not transferable. The book of Genesis (when read with prejudice) leaves no man under the impression that the sin of Adam was transferred to his progeny. However, around BC 534, one of the predominant proverbial sayings that has been developed among the Israelites (because they hadn’t been taught properly the demands and consequences of transgression) was – “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on the edge.” Jeremiah 31:29; Ezekiel 18:2. Like men guilty of irresponsibility, they reasoned that, they were being punished for sins committed by their forebears. God through Ezekiel said, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekiel 18:20. The nature of sin is such that it is committed not inherited! The word sin literally means ‘to miss the mark’. There is a standard or a boundary we are expected to stay within. Therefore, when an accountable person goes beyond or falls short of that mark, then and only then has he sinned.
John dealt with the Pelagius-Augustine problem when he wrote: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness,” I John 3:4. In Romans 6:16, Paul wrote: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are the one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” This implies that sin is a personal voluntary violation of a divine ordinance; and when a man thus voluntarily and consciously wraps himself up in its pleasure, that same man has the power within himself to call the shots and quit! Paul wrote: “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hand what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Ephesians 4:28.
The doctrine of original sin spits and slaps God in the face. Leaning on this false doctrine, men have thus cast away their personal abilities to restrain and bar themselves from the invitations of sin, saying as they go “it is within us to sin, and sin we would!” Would to God, that we all be sober and vigilant, be on guard, prepare our minds for action, laying aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Contact the church of Christ today! We will be glad to study the word of God with you.
Work Cited
Berkhof, L. (1948). Systematic Theology. Michigan: Grand Rapids.
Strong H, A. (1985). Systematic Theology. New York: Judson Press.
