What Is Original Sin?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”  Romans 5:12

One time in Sunday School class, someone brought up the fact that he didn’t believe in original sin.  I found this intriguing so I began to research the subject of original sin.  According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary and the gotquestions.org website, I learned that there are actually three major views on original sin.  The first is Pelagianism which hold to the belief that Adam’s sin had no effect upon the souls of his descendants other than a possible influence upon them.  This view also holds that man can stop sinning if he wishes.  This belief is in direct conflict with scripture (Galatians 3:22).

The second view is Arminianism which teaches that humans inherited a propensity to sin, know as the “sin nature”.  It also teaches that man is not held accountable for Adam’s sin, just for his own individual sin.  This propensity to sin does not necessarily imply guilt because there must be actual sin in order to condemn the sinner.  That is in contrast to scripture which teaches that because Adam disobeyed God, all who came afterward not only have a sin nature but are sinners, because no one can perfectly meet every standard which God has set forth.  We not only have the propensity to sin, we sin.

The third view, which is most in line with scripture, is the Calvinistic doctrine which states that because of Adam’s sin, man not only has a sin nature but inherent guilt before God.  Romans 5:19 states that the judgment of Adam’s offence came upon all men to condemnation.  The only way to overcome one’s sin and guilt is to repent and rely upon Christ’s atoning sacrifice for salvation.  The question is asked, “How can we be held accountable for Adam’s sin which we personally did not commit?”  The answer is given that we assume guilt when we act according to our sinful nature, rather than repenting and turn from it.  To sin is to approve of Adam and Eve’s sin, sort of a guilt by association.  We are all in the same sin boat, and it’s a big boat.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  The last time that I checked, all means all.  I think that many folks have a hard time admitting that they are sinners because they think of sin as something really bad like murder or cheating on one’s spouse.  However, Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22 that to murder someone is definitely wrong, but to be angry without a cause against another, to call another a “bum” or a “loser”, or to call someone a “fool” puts one in danger of God’s judgment.  Jesus also said in Matthew 5:27-28 that adultery was also a sin, but for a man to look upon another woman (or vice versa) with lust was the same as committing adultery in one’s heart.  So that pretty much blows the theory of sin by degrees.  All sin is against God, but the good news is that God will forgive sin for all those who repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior.

I am certainly no theologian, and research into a specific spiritual doctrine usually brings more questions than answers, but the bottom line for the way of salvation is basically simple.  No matter which way one views the subject of “original sin” or any other Biblical doctrine, precept, or passage, there is only one way of salvation: repentance and faith in Christ.  When the Holy Spirit tugs at the heartstrings of a sinner, God is calling that one to turn from sin, trust in His Son Jesus Christ and the gospel, and commit one’s life to serve the living God.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).