Biblical Answer

The concept of 'original sin' plays a crucial role in our understanding of human nature and morality. It is the tendency or bias of self-centeredness that we inherit, which reveals itself in a thousand ugly ways. This concept is rooted in the biblical teaching that sin is universal and that all humans are affected by it. The idea of original sin suggests that sin is not just a matter of individual choice, but rather a fundamental aspect of human nature that is inherited from Adam, our first parent.

There are three traditional theories of original sin: Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Calvinism. Pelagianism suggests that humans are not inherently sinful, but rather that sin is a result of individual choice. Arminianism posits that humans are born with a tendency towards sin, but that this tendency can be overcome through human effort. Calvinism, on the other hand, teaches that original sin is a fundamental aspect of human nature, inherited from Adam, and that it cannot be overcome through human effort. The Calvinist view is that original sin is not just a matter of individual choice, but rather a fundamental aspect of human nature that is inherited from Adam.

The concept of original sin is closely tied to the idea of human accountability. According to the biblical teaching, humans are accountable to God for their actions, and this accountability is rooted in the fact that humans are created in the image of God. The concept of original sin suggests that humans are not inherently good, but rather that we are inclined towards sin from birth. This inclination towards sin is not just a matter of individual choice, but rather a fundamental aspect of human nature that is inherited from Adam. The biblical teaching on original sin emphasizes the need for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, who is seen as the second Adam, who has restored humanity to its original relationship with God.