Questions tagged [original-sin]

For questions pertaining to the doctrine that humanity is in a state of sin since Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God.

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Why has God punished every human for one person's sin? [closed]

God expelled Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden because Eve ate the fruit that God told her not to. And this let evil into the world. If God loves everyone, so much so that he let his son die for us,...
Jonathan.'s user avatar
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What is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception?

According to Catholic Doctrine, the Immaculate Conception refers to the teaching that Mary's own conception (not that of Jesus) was without the stain of original sin. What is the biblical basis for ...
Narnian's user avatar
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Are there any writings from the church fathers teaching Original Sin before Augustine?

It has been said by some that Augustine was the first to teach Original Sin, "It was Augustine (354-430 A.D.) who first promoted the idea that; "the fallen nature of Adam was transmitted ...
Tony Jays's user avatar
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18 votes
6 answers
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How is it that someone who lived thousands of years ago can "represent" me?

The assertion that all of humanity "sinned" when Adam sinned, or "through Adam" is often made as a foundation to other Christian doctrines. What specific doctrine points to Adam being a representative ...
Caleb's user avatar
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How have Protestants explained how Jesus could be born of mankind and be sinless?

Very simple question really. If the sin of Adam is passed down through the generations, so that all of us are born with a sin nature, how can it be that Jesus was born of Mary (a human being), yet ...
Jeff B's user avatar
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8 answers
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How does the Catholic Church reconcile evolution with original sin?

According to Catholic doctrine: all men inherit ancestral sin from Adam; God descended upon Earth as the Son in order to free mankind from this sin, was crucified, died etc. From the Catechism of ...
giucal's user avatar
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How could a sinless Mary die?

Ignatius Theophorus's answer to this question about the assumption of Mary states: In addition, there is an ancient document which actually relates the death of Mary and the assumption of her body. ...
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3 answers
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Are our consciences trustworthy? [closed]

In Romans there are a couple verses that indicate that the law has not only been given in written form through the ten commandments, but written "on our hearts." It also says that this law will bear ...
Caleb's user avatar
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In Romans 7 is Paul talking about before or after he was saved?

In Romans 7:15 Paul said "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." and in Romans 7:11 Paul said "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, ...
user144668's user avatar
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7 answers
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How is original sin transmitted? [closed]

Assuming the doctrine of original sin is true, how exactly is original sin passed down to the rest of mankind? Was the nature of man changed? If so, what exempted Christ from sin but allowed him to ...
Thomas Shields's user avatar
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Why is the word ‘concupiscence’ so important in understanding the difference between a Catholic view and a Protestant view of ‘Original Sin’?

I have noticed this word ‘concupiscence’ a lot while studying Catholic Theology. It seems to significantly change what ‘Original Sin’ means, making a Catholic meaning of ‘Original Sin’ very different ...
Mike's user avatar
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If baptism cleanses original sin then why do the children of baptised parents still need to be baptised?

Why do the children of the parents who were baptized need to be baptized? The parent's original sin was removed by their baptism so they shouldn't be passing it down anymore. Or how does it work? Is ...
Grasper's user avatar
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Why is Adam considered the original sinner? [closed]

In the Biblical account, Eve is the first to eat the forbidden fruit. Yet still the blame gets put on Adam and later on in the Bible it states that sin entered the world through one man. Why is Adam ...
capitalaudience.com's user avatar
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7 answers
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Inheritance of original sin

I was reading the answers to How is original sin transmitted?, when it occurred to me: isn't this contrary to scripture? Specifically: Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. The ...
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If God could make Mary sinless, why not anybody else?

In this thread one of the answers states that Catholic tradition has Mary as sinless from conception (if I read it correctly). I don't want to sound flippant here but this begs the question: if God ...
Seamus's user avatar
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3 answers
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Was Jesus Plan B? [closed]

Recently, in a Facebook argument somebody brought up the fact that Jesus was plan B. That God's original intention was for all of us to live on earth eternally. But then Adam and Even sinned and God's ...
capitalaudience.com's user avatar
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2 answers
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How do the Catholic and Orthodox views of original sin differ?

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 ...
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1 answer
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Were Luther and Calvin Aphthartodocetists?

Julian of Halicarnassus (d. 527) was condemned at a council in Constantinople in 536. In denying a distinction between ousia (common essence) and physis (particular nature), Julian was faced with the ...
Adithia Kusno's user avatar
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4 answers
11k views

Are we born sinners? [closed]

We can be quite certain that God didn't originally create us as sinners. Rather Adam and Eve chose sin in the Fall. The doctrine of original sin is widely held in Christian churches, but those ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
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5 answers
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Is man born in God's image, or was that just Adam? [closed]

I have noticed many Christians say 'we were born in God’s image', but the scripture seems to imply that men are 'born in the image of their Father, the Devil?' For example: This is how we know ...
Mike's user avatar
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If Genesis is not to be taken literally by the Roman Catholics, what is the basis of the original sin?

According to this answer, Genesis is not to be taken literally by the Roman Catholic church due to the scientific evidence contradicting it. In this view, what is the basis of the original sin?
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What does it mean that baptism "erases original sin"?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states regarding original sin: Human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it, subject to ignorance, suffering ...
Mr. Bultitude's user avatar
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2 answers
761 views

Do Catholics believe that Mary mother of Jesus is as holy as God?

Note: This question is not to prove why this is wrong rather to find out if this is an official teaching of the Catholic Church. Do Catholics believe that Mary mother of Jesus is as holy as God? If ...
Siju George's user avatar
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Why did God not want man to have the knowledge of good and evil? [closed]

When God created man, he created him with the fore knowledge that man would eat from the forbidden tree, and even with the knowledge that man would bring sin into the World; God created the tree in ...
BYE's user avatar
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8 votes
9 answers
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Water Baptism - Is it still necessary? [closed]

I have grappled with this for some time. As the forerunner of Christ, John the baptist was baptising people, preparing them for the coming of Christ. After Christ came, he was baptised and commanded ...
tunmise fashipe's user avatar
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Why did Eve say that "touching" the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil would kill you?

The reason for my question is there seems to be a change from what the scripture states as to what God told Adam about the same tree. I couldn't find where God specifically told Adam that touching it ...
Teewilly's user avatar
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4 answers
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What caused the Fall of Mankind?

Was the fall initiated by a transgression of faith, because man trusted the word of the serpent more than the word of God, or was it a transgression of God’s law (an act of disobedience)? Do ...
Rick's user avatar
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1 answer
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How did Luther and Calvin view Christian perfectionism?

The question is as simple as the title. Some Christians believe we can enter a state without sin. How did Luther and Calvin view that kind of concept?
Mike's user avatar
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Orthodoxy's "ancestral sin" versus Calvinism's "total depravity"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I understand, one of the major differences between Eastern Orthodox and Protestant theology is "ancestral sin." Note: Although Roman Catholicism's definition ...
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Genesis 3, original sin and mortality

I'm currently doing some research for a Church project and next week we are covering creation. While looking at creation, I came across an interesting tidbit that I've never actually thought about ...
David Archer's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
570 views

What was St. Thomas Aquinas's view on the difference between punishment accorded to original sin and punishment accorded to individual sin?

Many different thinkers in Catholicism have proposed different theories regarding what original sin is compared to individual sin. From this, different theologians have thought that original sin ...
Manwe Elder's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
248 views

Do LDS believe in Original Sin after all?

On the one hand, it seems LDS reject the concept of original sin. See for example Articles of Faith 1:2: We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. ...
kutschkem's user avatar
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7 votes
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How to reconcile the original creation of every soul (Creationism) by God with original sin?

The Catholic Church teaches that (CCC 366), every spiritual soul is created immediately by God — it is not 'produced' by the parents. So, if every soul is uniquely created by God and is not produced ...
WolfgangP's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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In the tradition of Jehovah's Witnesses, does Romans 6:23 mean that all people who are resurrected have their sins blotted out?

Since the Bible itself says there is to be a resurrection of the good and bad (Acts 24:15) how do Jehovah's Witnesses explain their position that death blots out the sins of all? If death blots out ...
Kris's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
374 views

If humans are now genetically tainted by corruption, what was perfection like? [closed]

I have frequently heard the argument that various human frailties, such as dying of old age, are the result of corruption after the original sin; less frequently, but often enough to get my attention, ...
Rex Kerr's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
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Are animals under the curse? [closed]

Animals without a doubt go against the commandments of God. There are gay animals, animals that kill each other for no reason, etc. Does it say in the bible that the animals are under the curse of ...
Nick Rolando's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
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How do Catholics reconcile a metaphorical Adam and Eve with Original Sin [duplicate]

It is known that many Catholics believe that Adam and Eve is a story better left to the metaphorical imagination, rather than literal interpretation (though other denominations may feel differently). ...
Joseph Orlando's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
6k views

What is the Biblical basis for the Catholic teaching that infant baptism cleanses from original sin?

The Catholic Church, possibly the Orthodox Churches, and even some Protestant churches practice Infant Baptism. However, I understand that Catholicism teaches that infant baptism cleanses the infant ...
Narnian's user avatar
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6 votes
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According to Eastern Orthodoxy why did we inherit the sin of Adam and Eve?

God is known as very just and he likes to have mercy on people. God doesn't want people to inherit sins of their parents. So why did we inherit this very sin? What is so special about the sin of Adam ...
user2824371's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why did God create Adam and Eve so that they would sin? [closed]

According to If Adam and Eve were perfect, why did they choose to sin? the serpent tricked Eve into eating the apple. So either the serpent or humans sinned because of free will. But God is sovereign ...
Jimmy R.T.'s user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
291 views

In Protestant faith is one's old self dying on the cross with Jesus symbolic, or the actual assumption of a new Eternal life?

Many years ago I accepted Jesus as my savior in a small Baptist church. Up until that time I had never felt any guilt over sinning. Since that day though I have a guilt feeling every time. Years ago ...
BYE's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
489 views

If Christ had a complete human nature, how come his human nature wasn't totally depraved as ours is?

I understand the reformed doctrine of total depravity to be that the human nature is such that it is utterly unable to choose to follow God. Another way I've heard it put is that men are by nature ...
Joseph Hinkle's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
611 views

What is the Catholic biblical or canon basis saying some moral works without grace (transient or permanent) are good (or not have the nature of sin)?

I am trying to clarify the difference in my own mind between a traditional Catholic and traditional Protestant view of grace, specifically in terms of the 'works of unbelievers'. It seems hard to ...
Mike's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
482 views

What is the difference in original sin and our nature to sin from a Reformed or Calvinist view?

There is another question like this on the CSE but seems to be answered with the Catholic view in mind. As a Calvinist, I have become quite confused or I am just not properly understanding the ...
Little miss piper's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
2k views

Immaculate Conception: Why was it necessary for our Salvation?

According to many Catholic apologists, like Dr. Robert Sungenis,1 the dogma of the immaculate conception of Mary is not simply binding because it is a divinely revealed dogma, but according to them it ...
Destynation Y's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

Does any church denomination believe it possible to go one moment without sinning?

In looking at the opposite of this question posted here, I realized it seems better to raise this question in the reverse. Assuming the doctrine of original sin, and God's work of the holy Spirit in ...
Mike's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
634 views

For those who deny the Immaculate Conception, why did Jesus not have original sin?

The Westminster Confession (8:2) says Jesus is of the substance of Mary: The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, ...
aska123's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
355 views

According to Catholic doctrine, do our fallen, finite nature and our relationship with God set us up for abusive relationships in this life?

We are created in the image and likeness of God, and are therefore acting in accordance with our true nature when we strive for self-emptying love, as we imitate God and Christ in so striving. ...
user23693's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
114 views

Do recent scientific findings support the concept of inbred sin being passed from generation to generation?

Recent research indicates that cancers are not caused by damage to healthy cells by noxious substances, but rather there is underlying damage already in our DNA which makes us susceptible to cancer ...
Nigel J's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
294 views

What is an overview of the similarities and differences between the Catholic doctrine of Original Sin and the Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity?

Upon a cursory examination, both the Catholic doctrine of Original Sin and the Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity seem to say that mankind is by default separated from God. What is an overview of ...
Andrew's user avatar
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