Lecture 31 Outline - Doctrine of Original Sin

  1. The Problem:
    1. In Romans 5, Paul holds Adam responsible for the sin and death of all humanity
    2. Nowhere in the OT or in the Gospels is Adam responsible for humanity's sin.
    3. Does the OT know of a doctrine of "original sin"?
  2.  In the OT, the fundamental story of sin is the Golden Calf  in the "J" narrative
    1. Not "original sin" but "immediate sin"  (Exodus 32:1-6)
    2. Sin of Jeroboam (I Kings 12:25-33;  compare Exod 32:4 and I Kings 12:28)
    3. Immediate sin in "P"  Leviticus 9:22-24 and 10:1-2
  3. Why doesn't Paul utilize the story of the Golden Calf?
    1. He is the apostle to the Gentiles (Peter -- to the Jews, see Galatians 2:8)
    2. Christ saves all humanity from sin and death, see Romans 3:9-20.
    3. Israel's sin is easy to account for:  she is still in Exile.
    4. Rabbinic (i.e. Jewish) tradition:  "no retribution comes upon the world which does not contain a light fraction of the sin of the Golden Calf."
    5. But Paul must establish the case for universal culpability.
    6. …and so the case for Adam and Eve as the source of sin and death
  4.  Romans 5:12-21 -- By ones man's disobedience sin enters in;  by one man's righteousness the man will be made righteous.
  5.  The Immaculate Conception – December 8
Citation: Anderson, G. A. (2006, September 07). Lecture 31 Outline - Doctrine of Original Sin. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/theology/foundations-of-theology-biblical-and-historical/lectures/lecture-31-outline-doctrine-of-original-sin.
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