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Category: Theology 101
Doctrine of Man
NATURE OF SIN
Sin has been defined as the transgression of, or want of conformity to, the divine law. Or to put it another way, there are sins of commission (actively offending the law) and sins of omission (failing to do what the law requires). I believe that this is an adequate description of sin as long as one takes care in defining law. Law, in this discussion, must be defined as the righteous requirement of God. This requirement may be revealed or unrevealed. In Romans 5:12ff, Paul argues that before the giving of the Law of Moses, sin was in the world; and those who sinned died just as if they had broken a revealed law (“in the likeness of the offense of Adam”). Some will argue that the Law of Moses (at least the Decalogue) was revealed in the hearts of those who lived between Adam and Moses. However, the Scripture does not teach this. It teaches that the work of the law (Rom. 2:15) was written in their hearts, i.e. the work of revealing and arousing sin (Rom. 5:20; Gal. 3:19). The Apostle’s point in Romans 5:12 and following is that even without revealed law, men sinned and, consequently, suffered the death penalty. Therefore, any act (or lack of action) which displeases God is sin regardless of whether one knows that he is displeasing God.
ORIGINAL SIN
Contrary to what one would expect, "original sin" does not refer, primarily, to the first sin of Adam. Rather it refers to the twofold result of Adam’s first sin. First, it speaks of the resulting guilt and condemnation imputed to all men. The text mentioned above (Romans 5:12f) is the locus classicus for this aspect of original sin. There the Apostle argues that through Adam sin entered the world, and through his sin death entered the world (“in the day you eat thereof you shall surely die”). Then he makes an astounding claim—death spread to all men because all sinned. This appears impossible because all men were not yet in existence. How could they all sin? Furthermore, all men after Adam sinned and died without breaking any revealed divine laws, and sin is not charged to their account when there is no law. Why did they suffer the penalty of death? The answer is found in verse 18: "Through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men." Adam’s sin was our sin. We are counted guilty and under condemnation because of Adam’s disobedience. This is one facet of the doctrine of original sin.
The other result is the moral corruption of man’s nature. The intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth (Gen. 8:21). Men and women are born into this world with a predilection for opposing God. They do not seek him, they do not strive for righteousness, they do not do good, not even one (Rom. 3:10-18). Man is born with the label "sinner," and spends the rest of his life proving its propriety.
TRANSMISSION OF SIN
As described above, sin is transmitted from Adam to his posterity by means of imputation. Like an ambassador represents his country, so also Adam represented his people—mankind. His rebellion against the King is our rebellion against the King. Again, Romans 5:12f teaches the federal headship of Adam in the same way that it teaches the federal headship of Christ. By the sinful act of Adam, his offspring were rendered guilty; by the righteous act of Jesus, His offspring were rendered innocent.
PUNISHMENT OF SIN
The Apostle states clearly that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). This is the same penalty of which Adam was warned in the garden. That God has kept His promise is manifest as we observe the passing of all men. As the saying goes, there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. It is conceivable that the latter might desist. We do not expect even for a moment that the former will pass away. It gets worse! The Scripture also teaches that those who are dead will be raised, some to a resurrection of life (those who did the good deeds), and others to a resurrection of judgment (those who committed evil) (John 5:28, 29). God will by no means let the guilty go unpunished.
In Romans 1:18f, we are told that God’s wrath is not altogether future. He is currently punishing those who deny His existence by withholding honor and thanksgiving. The penalty for this insolence is more sin. God gives them over to their depraved minds, and they become foolish thinkers, homosexuals, idolaters, and generally more depraved. This, in turn, adds more sin to their record which will enter into the final judgment.