On Original Sin

From the Book

“TO BEGIN WITH, we will ask the question whether or not original sin is a real thing, since some utterly deny that it even exists. After that, we will say what it is. Lastly, we will examine what properties it has, how it is passed on as an inheritance to posterity, and how it is forgiven or remitted.

As to the first matter, we must remember that, both in the Scriptures and in the Fathers, it has various names. In Romans 7 [vv. 8, 23], it is called sin, and the law of the members, and concupiscence. Elsewhere, it is termed the lack of original righteousness, the corruption of nature, an evil imagination [Gen. 8:21], the kindling [of hate and evil, Gen. 37:8], a weakness of nature, the law of the flesh, and others of such a kind. Long ago, the Pelagians used to deny the existence of this sin; today the Anabaptists do the same. Their arguments run roughly as follows: first, they say, the fall of Adam received its sufficient punishment, and there is no reason why God would want to exact a penalty for it from his posterity, especially since in the prophet Nahum it is written that “God does not punish the same sin twice, for it is enough that he punished it once” [Nah. 1:9]. Second, they argue that the Scriptures say that the son will not bear the iniquity of the father, but the same soul that sins will likewise die [Ez. 18:20]. Next, they argue that the body, when it is formed in the womb, is the workmanship of God, and there is no reason that it should be blamed. To the contrary, they say, we should admire it to the utmost, along with marveling that it has a soul created or infused by God. They also assert that we should not consider the means of its propagation as a bad thing, since marriage is commended by Scriptures, and from the beginning God bid mankind to procreate.

In view of this, they ask through what cracks, among so many defenses of innocence, sin could insinuate itself. They add also that Paul in I Corinthians [7:14], when he was urging a believing wife to remain with an unbelieving husband should the spouse be willing, says among other things, “Your children are holy.” They object that they cannot be holy if they are born in sin. Therefore, those, who are born from believing parents cannot inherit original sin from them. Additionally, they maintain that in common parlance a sin is something that is said, done, or desired contrary to the law of God, and that it is not a sin unless it is voluntary. Accordingly, John says in his epistle [1 John 3:4], “sin is iniquity,” to which is contrasted equity or fairness, which cannot be reckoned as anything than that which is contained in the Law. Thus, sin is the transgression of the Law. None of these things, they argue, properly fit with infants who are just being born. . .”

Read a Portion of the book here