Protestant view of original sin

[samwise53]

I was listening to a Catholic radio program the other day and the priest said that some protestant denominations do not believe in original sin. He said that for example, Martin Luther believes we are are fallen, and that God’s grace covers up our fallen nature, like new white snow covers over the clod of dirt…the dirts still there, but is covered over. My question is, if that is how some denominations believe, are they saying that God created us flawed and sinful origninally? Why would they believe a loving God would do that?

 

[mitex]

I was listening to a Catholic radio program the other day and the priest said that some protestant denominations do not believe in original sin. He said that for example, Martin Luther believes we are are fallen, and that God’s grace covers up our fallen nature, like new white snow covers over the clod of dirt…the dirts still there, but is covered over. My question is, if that is how some denominations believe, are they saying that God created us flawed and sinful origninally? Why would they believe a loving God would do that?

Garden of Eden: Everything is perfect. God creates in his image.

Eve eats the apple then sin pops up and we’re fallen.

Four thousand years later Jesus comes and dies for our sins, and extends the gift of grace, and eternal life to all who choose it.

God did not create us flawed originally. It’s Adam and Eve’s fault (because she fell to the snake) that sin exists and she deceived Adam with her. Btw I’m a protestant Evangelical.

We’re fallen because of the apple or tree of knowledge. But through Jesus, and only Jesus as our eternal savior and grace extender we’re forgiven and ensured eternal life forever.

Catholics feel free to dispute this of course. We don’t do communion or confession, Only faith in Jesus is required.

 

[ltwin]

I was listening to a Catholic radio program the other day and the priest said that some protestant denominations do not believe in original sin. He said that for example, Martin Luther believes we are are fallen, and that God’s grace covers up our fallen nature, like new white snow covers over the clod of dirt…the dirts still there, but is covered over. My question is, if that is how some denominations believe, are they saying that God created us flawed and sinful origninally? Why would they believe a loving God would do that?

I am Pentecostal, and we do believe in original sin. Two things are meant by “original sin”: the first sin of Adam and the sinful nature possessed by every man since Adam due to Adam’s first transgression.

What do Catholics mean by “original sin”?

 

[cap76]

We don’t do communion or confession, Only faith in Jesus is required.

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” Communion is instituted and commanded by the Lord.
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is a condition in order to receive forgiveness.
“Faith without works is dead” Obedience is an evidence of evangelical faith.

 

[bzkoss236]

I am Pentecostal, and we do believe in original sin. Two things are meant by “original sin”: the first sin of Adam and the sinful nature possessed by every man since Adam due to Adam’s first transgression.

What do Catholics mean by “original sin”?

The same. And even what mitrix said about Adam and Even is also original sin. There may be those who claim that they don’t believe in original sin, but I’m sure they do, even if they don’t know it. It may just be a matter of terminology.

And to the rest of what mitrix said, about what justifies and saves us, should be ignored because it would start a debate that is off topic for this thread and should be taken to a new thread.

 

[mitex]

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” Communion is instituted and commanded by the Lord.
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is a condition in order to receive forgiveness.
“Faith without works is dead” Obedience is an evidence of evangelical faith.

Not if you’re a protestant!

Jesus is my salvation not an Earthen cup.

Of course it’s different for you Catholics, I’m a Christian by virtue of my baptism (I believe you recognize the validity of protestant Birth baptisms).

 

[cap76]

Not if you’re a protestant!

Jesus is my salvation not an Earthen cup.

Of course it’s different for you Catholics, I’m a Christian by virtue of my baptism (I believe you recognize the validity of protestant Birth baptisms).

You’re first post said, “only faith in Jesus is required.”
Now you are saying, “I’m a Christian by virtue of my baptism.”

 

[PaulfromIowa]

I believe that Luther and most Protestants hold a view of Original Sin very similar to that of the Catholic Church.

 

[bzkoss236]

Not if you’re a protestant!

Jesus is my salvation not an Earthen cup.

Of course it’s different for you Catholics, I’m a Christian by virtue of my baptism (I believe you recognize the validity of protestant Birth baptisms).

So, you’re saying that protestants are not bound by Jesus’ commands, all they have to do is believe Jesus is their savior and that’s it? So, you don’t have to listen to Jesus, you just have to believe He is God and Savior?

 

[Taestron]

Like many doctrines, it depends in which denomination/independent church one finds themselves a part. I believe the larger part of Protestants believe in original sin, although the number might be shrinking. Those of us who don’t believe in original sin, probably do so akin to how my Orthodox friends say they don’t believe in original sin, but I am not sure I get the subtleties of the argument.

 

[ltwin]

Like many doctrines, it depends in which denomination/independent church one finds themselves a part. I believe the larger part of Protestants believe in original sin, although the number might be shrinking. Those of us who don’t believe in original sin, probably do so akin to how my Orthodox friends say they don’t believe in original sin, but I am not sure I get the subtleties of the argument.

The Eastern Orthodox don’t believe in original sin? What do they believe then?

 

[Skye_Ariel]

So, you’re saying that protestants are not bound by Jesus’ commands, all they have to do is believe Jesus is their savior and that’s it? So, you don’t have to listen to Jesus, you just have to believe He is God and Savior?

LOL!

 

[samwise53]

thank you all for responding to my thread. I was glad to see us agreeing that God created us without sin, but Adam and Eve stained that special relationship for them and us. Thank you and have a Blessed week!

 

[markeverett49]

I was raised Southern Baptist. I was taught about original sin. In the quote above about Luther, the issue is not about original sin (-which I don’t think Luther ever denied) but about righteousness. He held—I believe; any Lutherans among us should know for sure–that righteousness is imputed (-God calls us righteous in his sight) but not actual. That is, God covers over our sins but they are still our sins. Again, I’m not Lutheran and don’t know its theology well but I would be shocked to discover Luther denied original sin.

The only people I know who deny original sin are non-Christian.

 

[ltwin]

I was raised Southern Baptist. I was taught about original sin. In the quote above about Luther, the issue is not about original sin (-which I don’t think Luther ever denied) but about righteousness. He held—I believe; any Lutherans among us should know for sure–that righteousness is imputed (-God calls us righteous in his sight) but not actual. That is, God covers over our sins but they are still our sins. Again, I’m not Lutheran and don’t know its theology well but I would be shocked to discover Luther denied original sin.

The only people I know who deny original sin are non-Christian.

I agree. Lutherans are much closer to Catholic belief than either Pentecostals or Baptists. If we were taught original sin, I find it hard to believe that Lutherans deny it.

I also agree that the teaching being attributed to Martin Luther has nothing to do with original sin but is referring to the debate over imputed versus infused righteousness. Catholics believe that God bestows justifying righteousness upon the sinner in such a way that it becomes part of his person. Protestants typically believe that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers (that is, treated as if it were their’s through faith). In other words, when God looks at us, he sees the righteousness of Christ instead of our sin.

 

[october_baby]

I agree. Lutherans are much closer to Catholic belief than either Pentecostals or Baptists. If we were taught original sin, I find it hard to believe that Lutherans deny it.

I also agree that the teaching being attributed to Martin Luther has nothing to do with original sin but is referring to the debate over imputed versus infused righteousness. Catholics believe that God bestows justifying righteousness upon the sinner in such a way that it becomes part of his person. Protestants typically believe that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers (that is, treated as if it were their’s through faith). In other words, when God looks at us, he sees the righteousness of Christ instead of our sin.

Speaking from experience, some Pentecostals believe in the catholic meaning of original sin
It’s called the holiness gospel.

 

[ltwin]

Speaking from experience, some Pentecostals believe in the catholic meaning of original sin
It’s called the holiness gospel.

I’m not sure what you are referring to. Pentecostals don’t have their own definition of original sin. There is only one doctrine of original sin that I’m aware of and which I stated in another post on this thread:

I am Pentecostal, and we do believe in original sin. Two things are meant by “original sin”: the first sin of Adam and the sinful nature possessed by every man since Adam due to Adam’s first transgression.

Pentecostals do believe that holiness of life is important. “Sanctification” is a word you hear often. Methodistic type Pentecostals have beliefs in “entire sanctification” which they inherited from Wesleyanism. Baptistic type Pentecostals, of which I am, believe that sanctification is a process. We grow in grace.

However, Pentecostal beliefs about sanctification is a different issue than original sin.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

Some protestants (and Some Catholics) don’t see the story of Adam and Eve as a historical account and don’t ponder over original sin. Some see it as a metaphor for disobediance. Some plain don’t care. There are many views.

Pardon my mistakes. Sent from my mobile device.

 

[Richca]

I was listening to a Catholic radio program the other day and the priest said that some protestant denominations do not believe in original sin. He said that for example, Martin Luther believes we are are fallen, and that God’s grace covers up our fallen nature, like new white snow covers over the clod of dirt…the dirts still there, but is covered over. My question is, if that is how some denominations believe, are they saying that God created us flawed and sinful origninally? Why would they believe a loving God would do that?

Hello Samwise53,
Martin Luther’s concept of original sin is different from catholics. Luther believed that due to original sin man’s free will has become so corrupted that it is no longer free in the work of one’s salvation. Thus, we have the Lutheran doctrine of Sola gratia, by grace alone. The catholic doctrine of original sin is that man’s free will is still intact though inclined to sin. Man can accept or reject God’s grace.

 

[sophion]

The Eastern Catholics, Orthodox, defines Original Sin as “DEATH”.
Most Protestants believe that DEATH is man’s inheritance from Adam.
So arent they in an agreement of sorts?