Since the term "Original Sin" doesn't
exist in scripture I must of necessity treat this subject from men's viewpoints, and then make a determination from available
materials plus my own knowledge and understanding of God's Word.
Original sin is defined in Article II of the Augsburg Confession in this
way; "Since the fall of Adam all men begotten according to nature are born with sin, that is without the fear of God, without
trust in God and with concupiscence;
and this disease or vice of origin is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death
upon those not born again." In the Formula of Concord, "It is a deep, wicked, horrible, fanthomless, inscrutable and
unspeakable corruption of the entire nature and all its powers, especially of the highest principal powers of the soul in
understanding, heart and will." Reverend Charles Buck, a nineteenth century theologian says, "Original sin is that whereby
our whole nature is corrupted and rendered contrary to the law of God; or according to the according to the ninth article
of the Church of England, It is that whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is, of
his own nature, inclined to evil."
In a more current vein of thought I would like to quote Myer Pearlman who
states, "This spiritual and moral handicap under which all men are born is known as original sin." In Alfred W. Koehler's
book, Light From Above, this approach to sin is given; "This inherited corruption is called the old Adam,
or the old man (Ephesians 4:22); it is also called flesh (John 3:6 and Romans 8:17) or original
sin, so called because it refers to the origin of sin among men. This is not a sin which we commit but is the evil condition
of our nature, which we have by birth." Finally, Williams states, "Original sin is a bias of human nature toward evil.
It is man's fallen nature derived from Adam."
Five of the six quotes give direct reference to man's nature which can be defined as the state,
properties and peculiarities of man or the essential quality or inborn character of a man, or the essence, qualities or disposition
of the mind whether good or evil. This nature was initially pure and permitted man unrestrained fellowship with God.
This pure nature was only found in two men in scripture; Adam and Christ, the second Adam. In the first Adam the pure
nature became defiled by sin, and then the sin nature became the common lot of all men. The term Original sin was coined
to explain this sin nature or Adamic nature. God's great love and mercy sent the second Adam to repair the breach that
sin had created. This is beautifully expressed by Oswald Chambers who writes, "God did not create sin, but He holds
Himself responsible for the possibility of sin, and the proof that He does so is in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I personally believe that the scripture account is very clear, and that
original sin stems from the parents of the human race. When they chose to rebel against the commandments of God they
brought a curse upon mankind which is every man's portion at birth. Some find this difficult to believe, but if we observe
our first activities as a baby it will reveal our natures forcibly. Which of us did not cry and in some cases scream
until we got what we wanted and many times faking it without even shedding one single tear? Two of the earliest known
words of babies and children are NO and MINE which further indicate the rebellious and selfish nature of man. How many
of us smashed toys and threw tantrums when we didn't get our way? If time permitted couldn't we continue to trace
our lives through the years from infancy to adulthood and find overwhelming evidence that our nature is and always has been
sinful! I say a resounding yes, and rejoice because it is that very nature that makes me realize how very much I need
God's touch and even more how wonderful it was that God would sacrifice His only Son to die for me and all who will receive
the cleansing power of Christ in their lives.
The Bible tells us that "His mercies are renewed to us every morning,"
and we truly need it. Praise God for His wonderful love and mercy toward us that delivers us from the horrible consequences
of our sin into His eternal kingdom!
