=====Original Sin=====
===Lede===

Original sin is a theological concept foundational to Christian doctrine, particularly within Western Christianity, which posits that humanity inherits moral guilt and spiritual corruption as a consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, as recounted in Genesis 3:6-7, 16-19. This doctrine asserts that their transgression introduced sin into the world, tainting human nature and severing humanity's innate righteousness before God. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) emerged as a key proponent of this view in Western theology, shaping its development through his works such as *On Nature and Grace* and *The City of God*. In contrast, Pelagius (late 4th/early 5th century CE), a contemporary theologian, rejected the notion of inherited guilt, advocating instead for human free will and moral self-determination. The tension between these perspectives-Augustinian original sin and Pelagianism-has profoundly influenced Christian theology, ethics, and soteriology.

===Current State===

Augustine of Hippo developed his doctrine of original sin most systematically in *On Nature and Grace* (415 CE), where he argued that Adam's transgression introduced a moral corruption into human nature, rendering all descendants guilty before God not by personal choice but through inherited concupiscence-the innate inclination toward sin. This idea was further refined in his later work *The City of God* (Book XIV, c. 426 CE), where he distinguished between the guilt of Adam's original transgression (*culpa originis*) and its transmitted effects (*reatus originalis*), emphasizing that original sin is a universal condition affecting humanity's relationship with divine grace.

The transmission of original sin was conceptualized by Augustine as occurring through human reproduction, whereby the tainted nature inherited from Adam weakens the will and inclines individuals toward sin. This concupiscence, rather than personal guilt for Eve's actions, became the mechanism by which sin perpetuates across generations. While Augustine's formulation emphasized the inherited corruption of human nature, he also stressed that this does not negate free will but makes virtuous action dependent on divine grace.

The Council of Trent (1545-1563) reaffirmed the doctrine of original sin in response to Protestant critiques, particularly those of Martin Luther and John Calvin, who argued for a more restricted interpretation. The council's *Decree on Original Sin*, issued at its Fifth Session (17 June 1546), affirmed Augustine's position, declaring that original sin is transmitted to all descendants through natural generation, rendering baptism necessary for the remission of its guilt and concupiscence. This reaffirmation solidified original sin as a core tenet of Roman Catholic theology.

While the specific mechanics of transmission vary among Christian traditions, most Western churches maintain that original sin affects all humans by virtue of their shared descent from Adam, leading to a weakened will (*infirmitas*), a disposition toward evil (*concupiscentia*), and severed communion with God. Eastern Orthodox Christianity, however, often interprets the fall's consequences less as inherited guilt than as the corruption of human nature and the necessity for divine restoration through Christ.

===Viewpoints===

The doctrine of original sin has been interpreted and contested across Christian theology, producing distinct viewpoints. Augustine, in works including *On Nature and Grace* (415 CE) and *The City of God* (c. 426 CE), articulated the Augustinian view that original sin represents an inherent moral corruption passed from Adam and Eve to all humanity: all persons are born with inherited guilt (*reatus*) and a disordered will inclined toward sin (*concupiscentia*), and salvation therefore requires divine grace rather than human effort alone [[original-sin-augustinian-viewpoint]]. Conversely, Pelagius, as presented in his *Letter to Demetrius* (early 5th century CE), denied that sin or guilt could be inherited at all, asserting that each person is born morally neutral and capable of choosing righteousness through free will without the necessity of prevenient grace [[original-sin-pelagianism-viewpoint]]. A moderate stance emerged through Semi-Pelagianism, as advocated by John Cassian in his *Conferences* (c. 420-429 CE), which held that while human nature is weakened by the fall, the human will retains enough capacity to initiate a movement toward God, with divine grace then cooperating to complete salvation-a position that sought to preserve both human moral agency and the necessity of grace [[original-sin-semi-pelagianism-viewpoint]].

===Related Pages===

- [[augustine-of-hippo]]
- [[pelagianism]]
- [[doctrine-of-grace-in-christianity]]
- [[reformation-era-debates-on-sin-and-salvation]]
- [[thomas-aquinas-theology-of-sin]]

===Footnotes===

1. Augustine of Hippo, *On Nature and Grace* (415 CE); *The City of God*, Book XIV (c. 426 CE).
2. Pelagius, *Letter to Demetrius* (early 5th century CE).
3. Council of Carthage (418 CE), canons condemning Pelagianism.
4. Martin Luther, *The Bondage of the Will* (1525).