Original sin
Historic orthodoxy
Because of Adam's first sin, every person is born both guilty before God and corrupt in nature.
Also called: inherited guilt, inherited guilt and corruption, imputed guilt of Adam
What it means
"Original sin" does not mean the first sin, but the sinful condition we have from our origin, from birth. The historic Protestant confessions describe it in two parts. First, guilt: Adam stood as the head and representative of the human race, so his disobedience is counted to all who descend from him. Second, corruption: we inherit a nature turned away from God, from which all our actual sins flow.
This is why David can say he was sinful from the time his mother conceived him, and why Paul says we were "by nature children of wrath." It explains why every human being, without exception, sins. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.
The doctrine is humbling, but it is also hopeful. The same principle of representation by which Adam's sin is counted to us is the principle by which Christ's righteousness is counted to all who believe. One man brought ruin; one Man brings rescue.
In Scripture
David confesses that he was sinful from birth, from the moment of conception.
Sin and death spread to all people through one man.
Through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners.
Before Christ, we were by nature children of wrath.
No one can bring what is clean out of what is unclean.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 6.3; WCF 6.4; LBCF 1689 6.3; Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 7; Belgic Confession Art. 15
On this site: Creation & the fall
Related terms
Historical AdamHistoric orthodoxy
Adam and Eve were real people, created directly by God, from whom the whole human race descends and through whom sin entered the world.
Corruption without guiltA view held among orthodox Christians
The view that we inherit a sinful nature from Adam but not his guilt, so that each person is guilty only for his own sins.
PelagianismOutside historic orthodoxy
The teaching that Adam's sin harmed only himself, and that people are born able to obey God and earn salvation without inward grace.
Total depravityHistoric orthodoxy
Sin has affected every part of fallen human nature, so that no one can turn to God or please Him without His grace.
ImputationHistoric orthodoxy
God counts, or credits, one person's standing to another, so that our sin was counted to Christ and His righteousness is counted to those who believe.