Todd Clippard

Topic(s):  Bible Study, Sin, Denominationalism

As "error breeds error," it is important to this discussion to note a false doctrine resultant from the acceptance of original sin - the denial of the free will of man.  If one believes all mankind is ruined from the fall, then as fallen and thus totally depraved, man cannot exercise his mind to desire any good thing.  [Among the false doctrines springing from this include Catholicism's sprinkling (incorrectly called baptizing) of babies to remove Adamic (original) sin, and Calvinism's doctrine of irresistible grace and direct operation of the Holy Spirit to secure the salvation of "the elect."]

It should be noted that Jews do not hold to this doctrine in any way.  It seems odd that no prophet or lawgiver ever alludes to this doctrine.  Therefore, it must be a doctrine that came into existence after the establishment of the church and the New Testament canon.

Did the early church believe in the depravity of all men since the fall?  No account in the New Testament or secular historical records point to any belief in the doctrine.  The preaching and writing of the apostles all point to man as a free moral agent, free to choose whether or not believe, accept, and obey the gospel message.  John wrote in his gospel account, "Now these things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John 20:31).  This shows John's faith in the free moral agency of man and the power of the written word to convict and convert the sinner from the error of his way.

Also, a study of the early "church fathers" (I use this term accomodatively to describe those who lived in the period immediately following the inspired writers), reveals that few, if any, held the view that children are born in sin as a result of Adam's fall in the garden.  In fact, this doctrine was unknown for 2 centuries following the end of the apostolic period.

Among the early church fathers was unanimity concerning the innocence of babies.  Justin Martyr was born around A.D. 100 (near the time of the death of the apostle John).  On page 71 of his Apology, he considered it as "impious to deny the freedom of will"  (http://www.biblical-theology.com/originalsin/history.htm paragraph 16).

Other church fathers who held the same view include the Shepherd of Hermas, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and Ireneus.  Tertullian (mid 2nd - early 3rd century A.D.) did hold that the moral ruin of man came through the Fall, but continued to uphold the free will of man.

Augustine, bishop of Hippo of Africa, was probably the first to hold the view now espoused by so many.  His doctrine was popularized through his dispute with Pelagius of Britain concerning the nature of man.  Though Augustine gained a wider audience for his views as a result of the Council of Ephesus in A.D. 431, it is generally accepted that not even the Catholic hierarchy accepted Augustine's views until hundreds of years after his death.

In reference to Psalm 51:5 - this is simply a "proof text" cited in defense of this false doctrine.  As we noted, no Jew holds to the doctrine, Jesus and the apostles did not believe it, and the early church fathers did not believe it.  David here utilizes hyperbole to describe his feelings.  Hyperbole is an intended exaggeration which is not intended to be taken literally.

It is generally agreed Psalm 51 was written by David immediately following his confrontation with Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba and his wicked dealings with Urriah.  In the throes of his anguish concerning his sin, and even more cognizant of the holiness of God, he writes of himself as if he had been a sinner from the time of his birth. 

Later in that same Psalm, David utilizes hyperbole when speaking to God of "the bones which thou hast broken."  Obviously, David does not mean that God had literally broken his bones.

In Psalm 58:3, David again utilizes hyperbole when he wrote, "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies" (KJV).  I have never heard someone say they believe David meant the wicked speak lies a soon as they are born.