Tell me more ×
Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 11 down vote favorite

While reading about original sin, I often read that the Catholic and Orthodox churches disagree on the doctrine of original sin. But as far as I can tell, they both reject the idea that mankind inherited sin from Adam and believe that mankind only inherited the fallen nature. The only differences I see are in terminology. What am I missing? How are their views on original sin different?

share|improve this question
That's a pretty good question I kinda get the feeling the answer has less to do with dogma and more to do with St. Thomas Aquinas not being accessible in Greek. That's just speculation though. – Peter Turner Dec 3 '11 at 15:24
@Peter Turner -- St. Augustine wrote that original sin actually entailed hereditary guilt. This isn't a purely Thomistic issue. – Aaron Traas Dec 5 '11 at 20:07

1 Answer

up vote 5 down vote accepted
+50

Catholics (i.e., Western or Latin -- I belong to this group) believe that original sin entails actually inheriting the burden of Adam's Sin, which is mortal sin keeping us from entering heaven without a method of acquiring sanctifying grace, such as baptism. Original sin also threw all of nature into discord, and is the source of man's concupiscence. The Easter Orthodox, Eastern Catholics, and Oriental Orthodox, by contrast, do not believe that man inherits the burden of Adam's sin, but they believe that it is the source of the fallen nature of man, and concupiscence.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.