Jesus is the Messiah Debate
Christian View on Original Sin and Inherited Nature
Summary
Christianity teaches that humans inherit a fallen nature from Adam, not his personal guilt. This distinction is essential for accurate dialogue with Jewish theology, which affirms moral autonomy and denies inherited guilt.
Not Inherited Guilt
Christian doctrine does not teach that we are personally condemned or punished for Adam's sin.
- Ezekiel 18:20 — "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father."
- Each person is judged for their own actions — Romans 2:6, Romans 3:23.
- Infants are not damned because of Adam. King David, after losing his infant son, said:
> "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (2 Samuel 12:23)
Inherited Nature
What Christianity does affirm is that human nature became corrupted through Adam.
- Psalm 51:5 — "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
- Romans 5:12 — "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."
- Genesis 8:21 — "Every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood."
This means:
- Humans are born spiritually inclined toward sin.
- The will is not neutral, but enslaved to selfishness apart from divine grace.
Clarifying the Doctrine of Original Sin
| Misunderstood Doctrine | Biblical Christian Teaching |
|---|---|
| We are guilty for Adam’s sin | We are corrupted because of Adam’s fall |
| God punishes babies for Adam | God holds each person accountable for their own sin |
| Original sin = inherited guilt | Original sin = inherited moral condition |
Christ as the New Adam
Christian theology presents Jesus as the new representative for humanity:
- 1 Corinthians 15:45 — "The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit."
- Romans 5:18–19 — "Through the disobedience of one man, the many were made sinners; through the obedience of one man, many will be made righteous."
Through Jesus, believers:
- Receive a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26),
- Become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17),
- Are reborn into God's family (John 3:3).
Conclusion
Christianity agrees with Judaism that no one is condemned for someone else’s sin. However, it teaches that Adam’s fall left all humanity morally broken — not guilty, but desperately in need of restoration.
Jesus came not to condemn neutral people, but to heal broken ones.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23
“But God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ” – Ephesians 2:4–5