The Doctrine of Original Sin (Part 1)

The Doctrine of Original Sin

Even though the fall of man had a significant impact on his original state, the understanding of Original Sin is necessary to the traditional Christian view of the meaning of the redemptive history of man. Therefore, the personal work of Jesus Christ in redemption was needed because Original Sin has had a significant impact on the state of man since the fall. 

 Any theology that omits the Doctrine of Original Sin is an incomplete theology. Sin is a very touchy subject in not only Christendom but also in the world. The world today is a postmodern society where everything, as a Secular humanist would say, is relative. (“Truth to you is truth to you and truth to me is truth to me.”) Therefore, if one believes sin exists then sin exists. On the other hand, if another says that sin does not exist, then sin does not exist. All of these philosophies are acceptable to the world but not acceptable to anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ (meaning one who has a regenerated heart and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior). To deny sin is to deny the need for the Savior.  

Why study and teach the importance of the Doctrine of Original Sin? Original Sin is simply the recognition from Scripture that Adam's sin (the first or Original Sin) affected all of humanity. For every Christ-follower to study and learn about the Doctrine of Original Sin is vitally important because knowing how sin entered the world gives a greater appreciation for the plan of redemption and Soteriology (the Doctrine of Salvation). As a church planter, this researcher sees the signs and the effects of total depravity every week that he is out in the community sharing Christ. People are so unaware of the profoundly depraved state that they live. This researcher sees the trickery of Satan all over again. This is the same trickery he used to cause Adam and Eve to sin, which in turn caused the ultimate fall of man and the entrance of sin into the world. 

People, both saved and unsaved, desperately need to be made aware of the Doctrine of Original Sin. Most church leaders today do a poor job of teaching on the Doctrine of Original Sin. Most churches will not dare teach on sin, which is appalling. Some television and YouTube preachers rarely mention sin, as it seems that they preach more on "money" and "your best life now," more than the basic tenets of the faith as if the subject of sin is taboo. The lack of teaching in this area has caused great apathy. People must awaken from an apathetic state to a sympathetic state, and the only way to accomplish this is to teach on sin. Pastors and church educators must equip their church members with the knowledge of the Doctrine of Original Sin, which will enable them to become more effective in their ministry of reconciliation. Moreover, once Christians understand this doctrine, it will deepen their longing to see others become born again and give them a deeper appreciation for what Christ did on the cross.

A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE OF SIN

In order to gain an understanding of Original Sin, one must have a clear understanding of the Biblical definition of sin. This term "sin" has been tossed around in Christendom for many years. A significant difference exists between God's definition of sin and man's definition. The Hebrew term for sin is חטא (ḥāṭā’) and is the most common word for sin. Hāṭā’, along with its derivatives, conveys the underlying idea of missing the mark or deviating from the goal[1]  and is used 222 times in the Old Testament. The Greek term ἁμαρτία (hamartia), used 173 times in the New Testament, is similar and also means to miss the mark or not to hit the mark. The primary significance is a failure to achieve a standard (whether culpable or unintentional) in the broadest sense, both as a deed and as the nature of the deed.[2] Aμαρτία is the total rebellion of God’s standard and the transgression of His standard for human behavior. These words suggest that man can never reach the mark or measure up to God’s standard. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). God has a holy standard of what He defines as right and wrong. All humans have fallen far short of God's holy standard. In the world today, it is not popular for humans to practice God's holy standards as humans have created their own standards. Romans 1:28-32 says,

"And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." [3]

Every human that has ever lived has lived in rebellion to God’s holy standards. One does not have to look far to see this. This world is full of sin and rebellion, and this text speaks to that end. 

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK…

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[1] D. R. W. Wood and I. Howard Marshall, New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996), p 1105. [2] Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, vol. 1, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990-), p 66. [3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Romans 1:28–32.