Are we born sinners? [closed]

Question

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 opposing it are not a small minority, either. As original sin means that we inherit our sinfulness from the Fall, I think it might be equivalent to the question asked here: Are we born sinners?

Please provide at least the biblical evidence for an answer -- non-biblical arguments are, of course, welcome as additional information. Also, I might be wrong, and some believers in original sin might not think we're born sinners. If these notions are actually separate, please elaborate in the answers.

Answer 1

Since I had to find relevant Bible verses for another purpose, I'll answer my own question with them. I still expect someone to write a more full answer. This interpretation/selection of passages is close to the Lutheran view.

David does seem to state that we're born sinners:

Psalm 51:5 (ESV)
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Paul also writes to the Romans, saying that "one trespass led to condemnation for all men"

Romans 5:12-13,18 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

He also makes a similar statement when writing to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV)
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

The Bible does seem to say that we indeed are sinful from birth because of the Fall of Man.

Answer 2

I hope this is a useful refinement. There is a non trivial distinction between being "born sinners" and "born into sin". "Born sinners" appears to condemn the innocent. I think the biblical principle that we are "born into sin" is subtly but profoundly different. Being born into sin is a bit like being born into a family, a sex, a country or a race. There's nothing you can do about it .... the new testament position is clear in that Christ by his death has condemned "sin in the flesh". Notice that it is sin which is condemned not sinners. So to say that we are born sinners implies condemnation/judgement for a sin which we haven't committed but which is "implied" - or that we are guilty of Adam's sin. I don't think this is the bible's line. I think that when the bible says we are "born into sin" it is saying that our nature (after the fall) is now a sin nature which is different to saying we are sinners, people who have and do habitually commit sin. The distinction is without difference in all cases except that of a new born baby; but that's the question here - because having this sin nature does in effect destine us to eventually consummate that relationship with sin, but critically we do have the choice. The kicker is that we are incapable of doing right. Paul says in Rom 7:20 ..

"Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

This apparent conundrum explains the distinction perfectly. The sin nature in us causes us to actually commit sin. The bible's position on us as having a sin nature is not one of condemnation (taking both NT and OT into consideration ... god was dealing with the issue via condemnation in the OT by by unmerited favour in the new ) rather one of pity. There is nothing we can do about our sin nature but to take take the medicine ( of Christs condemnation of sin rather than sinner ). Ultimately whether we are born into sin, born sinners or born holy it's not the question .... the question is about god's view of this his responsibility for his creation and ultimately love for us.

Answer 3

We do not inherit sin

Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

We do not inherit sin, as you can see from the verse above. Animals die but this does not make them SINNERS. They only get the effects like the mother who has the sin of smoking. The baby will suffer the consequences but the sin of smoking is not transferred.

Romans 5:12-13,18 (ESV)

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

Thoughts on verse 12

Note that the death being talked about here is eternal death--not temporal. Verse 12 says just as sin came into the world through one man... before Adam sinned there was no sin. So sin came into the world through Adam. Note that verse 12 says nothing about that sin (of eating the fruit) being inherited. Verse 12 goes on to say 'and death by sin; that is, death (eternal) has entered into the world of men by sin. the last part of verse 12 says, and so death spread to all men because all sinned, that is Eternal death has spread to all men because they have chosen to transgress the law of God contrary to the usual thinking that death spread unto all men because Adam sinned.

Thoughts on Verse 18

verse 18 includes choice. I am sure no serious Christian holds to the doctrine that all people whether they like it or not are justified at birth because Jesus died for them. So why do people hold on to the doctrine that all people whether they like it or not are born sinners and condemned.

Adam's sin does not separate us from God

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

We are not born separated from God at birth because of Adam's sin. God separates Himself from us because of our own sin (DON'T BLAME ADAM). If Adam's sin separates from God then David was lying when he wrote:

Psalms 22:9-10 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly

Psalms 71:5-6 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. 6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

The issue about Jesus

Another argument concerns Jesus. Most people want to ignore it but they mustn't. This is salvation we are about here. If Jesus was born of a woman then surely He was born a sinner. I remain convinced He was born in sin but was not a sinner just as He was born into this sinful world but committed no sin. For He was in the flesh but did not yield to the flesh having condemned it, Romans 8:3.

Answer 4

We are not born sinners. Think about it, if we were, then Christ would have been a sinner and therefore the entire story would collapse.

1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

You do not break any of God's laws by merely being born, as by his design, nor by being in existence, as per his design.

ISAIAH 7:16 (KJV) For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

We see that every child has the option to Obey or Disobey God in Isaiah.

Matthew 18:1-4:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

We see Jesus telling us to be like the children. If the Children were sinners, Jesus would not have likely condoned their activity.