Since publishing my article attacking the doctrine of original sin, several readers have asked “What about this scripture?” Some people seem to think original sin is biblical. It isn’t. Original sin is an old Jewish teaching wrapped up in Christian jargon. Augustine taught it, not Paul, and we would do well to get rid of it.
For those who came in late: Original sin says you inherited Adam’s sinful nature. You were hardwired to rebel. (Too bad if your parent’s were believers with a new nature.) Before you drew your first breath, you were hostile towards God and bound for hell.
“This is why we need Jesus,” say some. “This is why we need to be born again.”
Except the sin gene is a myth. Jesus did not come because you inherited a bit of bad code. He came because you were dead in sin and in need of new life. The difference is subtle, but the implications are massive.
Original sin has got us speaking lies over our children. This diabolical…
