The Doctrine of the Sin Nature

Introduction While my opponent has said that he understands his task is to argue in favor of the doctrine of original sin, he actually must argue specifically against the doctrine of the sin nature, which no doubt is related to original sin but is not necessarily the same thing. Original sin may simply refer to Adam's original sin which brought death into the world, which I adhere to as it is clearly stated in scripture (Romans 5:12). The doctrine of the sin nature refers to the teaching that men have received corrupted or depraved natures from Adam and have thus either inherited Adam's guilt or are unable to keep from sin and thus will sin given the chance. "Nature" is described, in reference to sin nature, as an inborn constitution of which a person does not have a choice over, but rather, because of Adam's original choice, is inherited as the result of being born human. Defining Sin and Its Existence Sin is defined by scripture as the transgression of God's eternal moral law (1 John 3:4). God has placed a law within our hearts, which our conscious bears witness to, that makes us accountable for the actions, inactions, and thoughts we have (Romans 2:15). This law is not the totality of the 600+ Mitzvot of the Torah, as Gentiles do not innately know about the feast days, Sabbath days, and other Mosaic ordinances, but rather it is the eternal moral law which has been since the beginning of time. This moral law, of which the Torah is also chiefly concerned with, can be summed up with the two commandments to love God and your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). When we violate this law we transgress God's holy standard and therefore bring upon ourselves the wrath of Almighty God—the Most High, the Holy One, and righteous Lord of all creation (Revelation 21:8). Sin is therefore an abstract entity originating from the heart/mind of men, not a physical substance to be passed down or a spirit to overcome a person (Matthew 12:35, 15:19, et al). Sin Must be Volitional Since sin is an action, inaction, or thought of disobedience, it must of necessity be volitional. Men are given the willful choice to obey or disobey the law of God written on their heart. If sin were a product of a depraved estate or corrupted nature, the person committing said transgression would not be able to be justifiably held accountable, as their wrongful act was not derived from their willful decision to disobey God's law but from their corrupted inborn nature. To suggest that one can be held accountable as a sinner when they ultimately had no choice in the matter is to blaspheme and denigrate the character of the most righteous Father God. God has no respect of persons and deals with all men equally (Acts 10:34). For God to be just in His judgment of men as sinners, they must of necessity posses the ability to obey or disobey His law; and if it be thus, God must only condemn those who are accountable for their actions, inactions, and thoughts. In Ezekiel 18, we find God pleading with His people Israel to turn from wickedness to righteousness. While this passage deals with men in the dispensation of the Law of Moses, the principle still applies in that God here is attempting to show forth His righteousness, justice and equality to men: " . . .ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye (v. 23-32)." Conclusion As we see in Ezekiel 18, God holds men accountable for their own sins, not the sins of their ancestors (v. 19, 20). Therefore, any rendition of the doctrine of the sin nature which states that men are guilty sinners because of Adam's original sin is unbiblical and an attack upon the justice of Almighty God. Men must be born with a morally "clean" slate from which, upon reaching an age/understanding of accountability, they volitionally choose to disobey God, going their own wicked way, and indeed this is what scripture teaches (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Isaiah 53:6).