Doctrine of original sin: A historical-biblical evaluation of the theories of original sin as suggested between the 16th and the 18th centuries

Abstract

The doctrine of original sin was and is still considered one of the most important topics in Christian dogmatics. As Anthony Hoekema argues, this doctrine "has always been an essential aspect of the Christian doctrine of man. Though this doctrine basically belongs to anthropology among the various areas of Christian dogmatics, its significance is not limited to this area. The importance of the doctrine of original sin even extends to the area of soteriology. A different view of original sin may create a different understanding of the "how" of salvation. In this sense, this doctrine is not less important than any other Christian doctrine. However, it is to be recognized that, in spite of its importance, the doctrine of original sin has been regarded as one of the most difficult and controversial topics of Christian theology. The idea of original sin has a long history. Some allusions to the imputation of Adam's sin to his posterity are found in the writings of some of the earlier Greek and Latin Fathers.' But the formulation of the doctrine was a by-product of the fourth century's debate upon man's free will, mainly between Pelagius2 and Augustine.' In that controversy Augustine developed the doctrine of original sin for the first time in the history of Christian theology. For this reason "it is generally agreed that Augustine was the first to formulate" the doctrine.1 From then on, the doctrine of original sin has been one of the most debated subjects in dogmatics throughout the history of the Christian church. Statement of the Problem The study of original sin seeks to answer the question about the relationship between the sin of Adam and that of his descendants. This main question is the hub of a cluster of other related questions, which may be summarized into three: 1. Does every sin result from the first sin of Adam? 2. Does the human race share in the guilt of Adam's sin, or only in the results of his sin? 3. Are infants born as sinners? Various answers have been suggested to these significant questions throughout the long history of the formulation of the Christian doctrines. Several theories concerning original sin have been subdivided or designated by different names,1 but of all them finally break down into three major views: Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism, and Augustinianism.1 Pelagianism teaches that "Adam's sin does not affect his posterity." Semi-Pelagianism argues that "Adam's sin as guilt is not passed on, but his sin caused a loss of 'original righteousness' which makes man unable to attain righteousness without the Spirit."3 And finally Augustinianism holds that "both the effects and guilt of Adam's sin are imputed to the race."4In short, in Pelagianism there is no inheritance of sin; in Semi- Pelagianism what is inherited is the corrupted nature; and in Augustinianism both the corrupted nature and the guilt are inherited. The majority of today's evangelical theologians, especially Reformed theologians, hold, in one form or another, the Augustinian view of original sin. They strongly believe that all men have sinned in Adam's first act of sin, so that all his descendants have inherited not only his corrupted nature (pollution) but also the guilt of his sin.1 Hoekema defines these two elements of original sin as follows: Original sin includes both guilt and pollution. Guilt is a judicial or legal concept describing one's relationship to the law--in this case, specifically to God's law. . . . Pollution, in distinction from guilt, is a moral concept; it has to do with our moral condition rather than with our status before the law. We can define original pollution as the corruption of our nature that is the result of sin and produces sin.' The Augustinian view has been regarded as the "traditional" 2 theory of original sin. But in Christian theology the meaning of the term "traditional" is ambiguous. Moreover, "traditional" does not necessarily mean "biblical."3 Several questions are raised against the Augustinian view of original sin. The primary and greatest question is whether this theory is really supported by the Bible. Important as this question is, there are several others also demanding satisfactory answers. Does this theory harmonize with the biblical teaching on sin in general? Which was Adam's first sin, his sinful act or his wrong decision previous to the act? If Adam was the head or representative of the race, why did only his first sin affect his posterity? Why not his second or third sin? 1 Is the argument that every man is born guilty based on biblical evidence? Purpose and Significance of the Study This study focuses mainly on some relevant moments in the history of the doctrine of original sin. Thus, this study aims to achieve two basic purposes: (1) to compare and analyze the various theories of original sin suggested throughout the history of the Christian church, especially between the 16th and 18th centuries; and (2) in evaluation, to search for appropriate biblical answers to the main questions raised by this doctrine. This study is significant for at least two reasons. First, the survey of the development of the doctrine of original sin provides the necessary historical background to the current controversy centered on this doctrine. Since most of the Protestant churches were established between the 16th and 18th centuries, the examination of the developments of the doctrine during this period helps to understand the bases of the current teaching of each Protestant denomination on this subject. Secondly, only a biblical evaluation of the controversial points of the doctrine of original sin can provide a Scripture-based solution to conflicting views. Presuppositions Two presuppositions are to be referred to at the outset of this study. The first is related to the degree of credibility to be recognized in the narratives of the Creation and fall as recorded in Genesis 1-3. Most of the liberal and neo-orthodoxy theologians deny the historicity of these stories.1 But, along with most conservative Bible students, this research presupposes that these stories are the objective records of historical events of real occurrence. The other presupposition is related to the use of the expression "original sin." The expression is used for both the "first sin",1 of Adam, and the "inherited sin"4 of his posterity. In this study, however, the phrase "original sin" exclusively designates the "inherited sin." Whenever Adam's first sin is referred to, it is designated as "first sin." Delimitations of the Study This dissertation focuses mainly on the history of the doctrine of original sin between the 16th and the 18th centuries. The development of this doctrine up to the Middle Ages is only briefly and selectively surveyed. In principle, this study does not deal with the development of the doctrine in the 19th and 20th centuries, though here and there the views of modern theologians are referred to, especially in their relationship to some new understandings of the theories formulated up to the 18th century. As already referred to, the doctrine of original sin is closely related to many other areas of Christian theology such as the doctrines of Christ, of salvation, and of the sacraments. Concerning Christology, the views on original sin determine the quality of the human nature ascribed to Christ; 1concerning soteriology, what is held on original sin deeply influences the concept of" the how" of salvation; and related to the doctrine of the sacraments, the meaning assigned to baptism However, since this dissertation focuses mainly on the concept of original sin, these related doctrines are not dealt with in depth in this study. As the title of this research indicates, this study is of a historical nature. Thus, names and dates are to be expected, including some biographical information, mostly in footnotes, as background to the respective formulations.' Methodology and Procedure This dissertation is basically a historical study which seeks to analyze the theories or views concerning original sin between the 16’Th and the 18th centuries. But its purpose is not limited to historical information. It also includes a biblical evaluation of the theories. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to explore the more significant available historical documents which deal with the development of the doctrine of original sin during the period under consideration. For the study of the 16th century views, books and other documents written by the Reformers, the radical reformers, and the Roman Catholic scholars of that century have been carefully explored, including the official confessions and catechisms formulated in those days. For the views of original sin during the 17th and 18th centuries, mainly the works of Protestant authors have been consulted. Regarding the evaluation of the theories and views of original sin suggested between the 16th and the 18th centuries, the writings of modern Christian authors serve as fitting tools. This study is structured to accomplish the purposes outlined above. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction which includes the statement of the problem, the purpose and significance of the study, the presuppositions and delimitations, the methodology and procedure of the study, and a review of relevant literature. Chapter 2 briefly surveys the development of the doctrine of original sin between the 2nd and 15th centuries. Only the main contributions during those centuries are surveyed in this chapter. Chapter 3 explores the theories of original sin advanced during the 16th century. The chapter focuses on the views of the Reformers and radical reformers, the confessions and catechisms formulated, and the theological definitions of the Roman Catholic Church. Chapter 4 provides an overview of the development of the doctrine of original sin during the 17th and the 18th centuries. It deals mainly with the views of original sin of the period suggested by a number of Protestant writers who belonged to the various denominations. Some of them are regarded as the founders of their respective denominations. Chapter 5 concentrates on the evaluation of the main theories of original sin formulated between the 16th and 18th centuries. It seeks to find the biblical teaching on original sin and to analyze and evaluate accordingly the theories of original sin. Finally, chapter 6 summarizes the major findings and contains the conclusions of the study. Review of Relevant Literature The sources examined for this research do not offer any source bearing directly on the development of the doctrine of original sin between the 16th and the 18th centuries, though some of the studies provide important contributions to certain aspects of the subject. The reviewed sources are classified into two categories--works dealing with the theology of original sin, and those dealing with the history of the doctrine. In order to reveal the particular views on the doctrine of original sin among the Christian scholars, this review includes writings of authors belonging to different schools of interpretation such as Catholicism, Anglicanism, Calvinism, and Arminianism, who are considered outstanding contemporary scholars in systematic theology, some of them especially noteworthy in the area of hamartiology, more specifically the doctrine of original sin. This review is selective rather than exhaustive.