Post #2 The Doctrine of Original Sin defined and illustrated

Introduction:

    In our last post I laid forth an introduction to the Fall of Adam and Eve in comparison to what are the four main fall-like events spoken of in the Bible. I also set forth how studying Adam and Eve's Fall aids us in grasping the importance of the need for salvation in Jesus Christ. In today's post we begin to expound the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

    What follows today and for the next several posts are notes from a couple of sermons I recently preached. What follows is a proposal that the doctrine of original sin explains what took place in the Garden of Eden. Some readers may have heard of this doctrine. Other readers may not be so familiar with his historic teaching. Still others may find it problematic. Whatever one's opinion, it is vital we subject any doctrine to the bar of sacred Scripture to discern its truth or falsity. Also, it is hoped that in defining what the doctrine of original sin teaches, we can then properly evaluate its Biblical fidelity. The objective of today's post is to set forth a definition of original sin, and then clarify it by way of illustration.

1. Defining and illustrating original sin.  1 Cor 15:22; Rom 5:18-19.

     A. Original sin defined.

    What is original sin? I define original sin is that willful act of Adam that transferred to the human race imputed guilt, inherited corruption, and an inward bent away from God. What this definition does is explain what relationship there is between Adam and his human posterity respecting sin. As for the term "imputed", the guilt Adam acquired in having violated God's covenant and commands about not partaking the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is credited onto the whole human race as a consequence of he being their representative head. As for "inherited corruption", we find that the sin we all have is passed down from generation to generation, going all the way back to Adam. Then lastly, the natural moral bent all people have to reject God is a consequence of the original sin or polluted fountain of sin residing within each person. Put another way, the doctrine of original sin states that our spiritual default position toward God is that of rejection, rather than neutrality or native ability to choose Him apart from the Holy Spirit's gracious working. 

    If we were to identify verses that alerts us to what original sin is, it would be these. 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” Romans 5:18-19 “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

Let me first set forth four main ideas that will show and defend this truth of original sin.  

(1). Adam initiated original sin. (Almost all agree on this first proposition, with some preferring not to call it “original sin”).

 

(2). Guilt was imputed by original sin. (Most debatable point).

 

(3). Corruption is inherited from original sin. (Some will dispute this, blaming our corruption on environment or our imitation of others).

 

(4). Inward bent from God is a consequence of original sin. (Many will dispute this point, arguing that mankind is neutral toward God or just needs grace to help Him choose God).

B. Original sin illustrated.

Think of original sin in each of us as a polluted, cracked, septic tank. To illustrate, my grandfather had a septic tank connected to his home. The plumbing got backed up. He had it cleaned out. This effort solved for a period of time the plumbing issues in the house. However, the tank itself would occasionally cause problems. Poor drainage was the issue, causing seepage up through the ground. Even when cleaned, the effects lingered. 

This is what original sin is like. It is a polluted fountain, begun when Adam, the representative of the human race in the Garden, transgressed God's original covenant commands to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-7; Hosea 6:7). Such a polluted fountain of sin spilled over to the ruination of Adam and all his descendants. This polluted fountain of sin is the source or origin of the actual sins each of us commit (hence the name "original sin".) The above four propositions I laid out earlier will aid us in unpacking this truth.  

David writes of what original sin does to all of us from birth in Psalm 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth.” 

Solomon, David's son and the wisest man who ever lives, wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:29 “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”

So far, we've seen that original sin is that willful act of Adam that transferred to the human race imputed guilt, inherited corruption, and an inward bent away from God. In the next post, we will take a closer look at the first point of our definition of original sin - namely how original sin originated in Adam.