Original Sin: From Adam?

But now the righteousness of God

apart from the law is revealed,

being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

even the righteousness of God,

through faith in Jesus Christ,

to all and on all who believe.

For there is no difference;

for all have sinned and fall

short of the glory of God,

being justified freely by His grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:21–24

            One of the oldest theological debates is over the doctrine of original sin. This soteriological doctrine affects Christological doctrine. Why did Jesus Christ die and for whom? These questions will be left to be written about in future blogs and until then we must come to understand the doctrine of original sin. The above Scripture states that: ALL MEN HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. Did man receive sin from Adam or did sin enter into the life of man after the fall? If from Adam who did Adam’s sin have an effect on: his progeny? Did the sin of Adam place a curse on man which man cannot recover from by his own efforts? Did Adam’s sin cause man to be degenerate due to original sin: Adam’s fall. The early heresies attempted to define God, life, and sin, and a way to apprehend salvation from sin, this world, and devised ways by which a person can enter into the realm of God. Men are still looking today for this and many who are Christian do not have the education or have taking time to study this doctrine, or any doctrines, and have accepted the doctrines purported by the Church they attend. Non–Christian people ask this same question: how can one man, Adam, make cause for all men to have inherited sin from Adam’s sin, his fall from grace? Let us then examine this question, this doctrine and determine if the doctrine of original sin can be imputed to all men from the fall of Adam, or is sin solely caused by men \as some theologians have proposed; i.e., Pelagius, Jacobus Arminius, etc., as the teach that man has sinned but still have goodness in them so that they can if they so desire believe in God and be converted.

            Old ancient proverbs and philosophers have strongly recommended that man should have knowledge of himself. If one does not have this knowledge then they would be ignorant of things pertaining to life, and it would be disgraceful if one does not know himself. How often have you heard from someone that they must get to know themselves, or leave a marriage so that they could seek out themselves, to get to the inner child, etc.. If we do not know self then we would be walking about in ignorance and darkness. Am I insinuating that to know oneself is bad? NO! But!!! We must be careful not use this precept preposterously. This certainly has been the case with many philosophers as they have stated that man getting to know himself propose the motive is to have this self–knowledge so that a person would not be ignorant of his own self image, excellence, or dignity. What does this mean? That man would see only in himself those things that would fill him with confidence, and inflate him with pride. Nothing wrong with confidence, or have pride in doing good, but this should not be a person’s motive for seeking self–knowledge. How does one affectively seek self–knowledge, that is, where does one begin? First, a person should reflect on God, His creation, and those things that God graciously gives to all men, to this universe; i.e., rain, snow, sunshine, food, etc.. Looking back to Adam we can see that there was an excellency in this world that has been lost, and can see that things would have been better if only sin did not enter into this world, and this by the fall and revolt of Adam. When we consider all that there is in this world; “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:17–18). We can see that everything does rely on God, entirely, and when we admit that which He has graciously bestowed we have pleasure. It is these objects we use in this life that are leading us to have devotion, and worship for God. Secondly, when we look at this miserable condition(s) on this world we lose all confidence, in our self, and our self–boasting is nothing, and our shame becomes apparent: we are humbled. Scripture teaches that man is made in the image of God. Some would cavil and vehemently object to that statement as they hold to the theory of evolution that leaves no room for God in the equation why things exist. Why did God make man in His image? Man was given something that no other creature had received from God; His image. This was so that man would be able to elevate his mind so that he would pursue virtue, and that man would contemplate eternal life, (if Adam had not sinned then eternal life this was what he had in store), and we would be able to see the difference between us and all other creatures, that man had a certain quality imbued in him; reason and intelligence which would lead him to a life that is holy and honorable, and regard immortal life. Man would have as his highest object for worship and devotion his creator: God. When we place our minds on heavenly things: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:5–6). Paul adds these words: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). I heard this wise saying on a TV show (who would think?): “A person has both good and bad in them. Which one controls is the one you feed.” Which one are you feeding? When we think of the Garden of Eden, the first man and woman, and see how good and excellent life was then, and then look at history, our day and see that this would is far from that standard we are sad, and we become dissatisfied with ourselves, and in many cases we become humble. Many are seeking and desire that which God has promised, they seek Him and wish not to be destitute; they want those good qualities.

            I have begun on this series and by the end you will see how all this is congealed into a correct understanding of the doctrine of original sin.

Therefore put to death

            Your members

Which are on earth;

            Fornication, uncleanness,

Passion, evil desire, and covetousness,

            Which is idolatry.

                        Colossians 3:5

Place God And His Law In Your Everyday Life

Richard L. Crumb