Original sin | Definition, Consequences, & Facts (2024)

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Original sin | Definition, Consequences, & Facts (1)

The Rebuke of Adam and Eve

Related Topics:
Christianity
sin

original sin, in Christian doctrine, the condition or state of sin into which each human being is born; also, the origin (i.e., the cause, or source) of this state. Traditionally, the origin has been ascribed to the sin of the first man, Adam, who disobeyed God in eating the forbidden fruit (of knowledge of good and evil) and, in consequence, transmitted his sin and guilt by heredity to his descendants.

The doctrine has its basis in the Bible. Although the human condition (suffering, death, and a universal tendency toward sin) is accounted for by the story of the Fall of Adam in the early chapters of the book of Genesis, the Hebrew Scriptures say nothing about the transmission of hereditary sin to the entire human race. In the Gospels also there are no more than allusions to the notion of the Fall of Man and universal sin. The main scriptural affirmation of the doctrine is found in the writings of St. Paul and particularly in Romans 5:12–19, a difficult passage in which Paul establishes a parallelism between Adam and Christ, stating that whereas sin and death entered the world through Adam, grace and eternal life have come in greater abundance through Christ.

Original sin | Definition, Consequences, & Facts (2)

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The doctrine has long been the prerequisite for the Christian understanding of the meaning of Jesus’ Crucifixion and atonement and was especially promulgated by St. Augustine in the West. Despite its importance for understanding Jesus’ sacrifice, and as a motivation behind the practice of infant baptism in some churches, the doctrine of original sin has been minimized since the European Enlightenment. Indeed, the idea that salvation is necessary because of the universal stain of original sin is no longer accepted by a number of Christian sects and interpretations, especially among those Christians who consider the story of Adam and Eve to be less a fact and more a metaphor of the relation of God and humanity.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.

Original sin | Definition, Consequences, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Original sin | Definition, Consequences, & Facts? ›

Traditionally, the origin has been ascribed to the sin of the first man, Adam

Adam
Adam and Eve, according to the creation myth of the Abrahamic religions, were the first man and woman. They are central to the belief that humanity is in essence a single family, with everyone descended from a single pair of original ancestors.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Adam_and_Eve
, who disobeyed God in eating the forbidden fruit (of knowledge of good and evil) and, in consequence, transmitted his sin and guilt by heredity to his descendants. The doctrine has its basis in the Bible.

What are the consequences and effects of original sin? ›

Effects of original sin

Original sin affects individuals by separating them from God, and bringing dissatisfaction and guilt into their lives.

What is the original sin fact? ›

The Catholic Church teaches that all humans are born with original sin as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. This means that all humans are born with the urge to sin and disobey God.

What are the consequences of original sin quizlet? ›

The commission of the Original Sin by Adam and Eve, which resulted in their loss of original holiness and justice as well as concupiscence, suffering, death, and loss of friendship with God.

What were the consequences of sin on Adam and Eve? ›

Adam and Eve's Separation from God

Their physical condition changed as a result of their eating the forbidden fruit. As God had promised, they became mortal. They and their children would experience sickness, pain, and physical death. Because of their transgression, Adam and Eve also suffered spiritual death.

What are main consequences of sin? ›

Guilt, shame, and fear are the three results of any sin we commit against God. Following the first sin, God also outlined the greater consequences of sin, including our eternal separation from Him, and the penalty of spiritual death.

What was the first sin and its consequences? ›

Traditionally, the origin has been ascribed to the sin of the first man, Adam, who disobeyed God in eating the forbidden fruit (of knowledge of good and evil) and, in consequence, transmitted his sin and guilt by heredity to his descendants.

Was Jesus born with original sin? ›

Augustine also identified male sem*n as the means by which original sin was made heritable, leaving only Jesus Christ, conceived without sem*n, free of the sin passed down from Adam through the sexual act.

Was Mary born without an original sin? ›

The Immaculate Conception is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. It is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Debated by medieval theologians, it was not defined as a dogma until 1854, by Pope Pius IX in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus.

Do Adam and Eve go to heaven? ›

There's no place in the Bible that says they were saved. But there is no place in the Bible that indicates the couple was lost, either.

What are the consequences of original sin catechism? ›

418 As a result of original sin, human nature is weakened in its powers, subject to ignorance, suffering and the domination of death, and inclined to sin (this inclination is called "concupiscence").

What are the consequences of actual sin? ›

The loss of sanctifying grace entails upon the sinner the following terrible consequences: (1) He loses the supernatural beauty of the soul and becomes un clean before God; (2) He loses charity towards God and towards his neighbor; (3) His understanding is completely darkened, arid his will immensely weakened; (4) He ...

What are the double consequences of sin? ›

Remission of Temporal Punishment? Sin has a double consequence: 1) Eternal punishment and 2) Temporal or temporary punishment.

What are the consequences of original sin? ›

What is the effect of Original Sin upon us? Original Sin underlies all other sins and causes our natural powers of knowing and loving to be wounded. We are subject to ignorance, which makes it difficult for us to know the truth, and for some, even to believe that truth exists.

What are the consequences of sin according to Genesis 3:11? ›

The consequences of Adam's sin were dreadful consequences. Physical death became a reality for man. Death meant that somewhere down the road man would fight to live out this world in every capacity they can. Physical death meant man would be separated from God.

What is the original sin in the Bible? ›

Original Sin is the Christian teaching of mankind's sinfulness because of Adam's fall. It does not refer to the originating sin committed by Adam—eating the forbidden fruit in violation of God's command (Gen 3:6)—but rather to mankind's moral and spiritual condition because of that sin.

What are the two consequences of mortal sin? ›

Mortal sins are grave offenses that sever our friendship with God and, consequently, cause a loss of sanctifying grace. Anyone dying in a state of mortal sin would suffer eternal separation from God in Hell. Venial sins are lesser offenses that injure but do not destroy one's relationship with God.

What are the effects of sin on creation? ›

Sin affects everything we experience. When the first people sinned, they sent the good world God made into a tailspin. The Bible says that the world was subjected to futility, which means that brokenness is the default setting.

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