Christianity Readings

Module 9

6.3 - Tertullian on Inherited Guilt - Patristic

Main Point - In these writings, Tertullian emphasizes his belief that sin and guilty are passed on from father to son, but then contradicts himself by believing that God's justice should judge people as individuals not the whole race.

Most Important Passage - "But if the blessing of the fathers was destined to be transmitted to their posterity, without any merit on their part, why should not the guilt of the father be passed on to their sons, so that the transgression as well as the grace should spread through the whole human race?"

6.13 - Augustine on Fallen Human Nature - Patristic

Main Point - Augustine identified the consequences of the fall upon human nature. He focuses on the fact that human nature was created pure, and now it is contaminated by sin.

Most Important Passage - "The weakness which darkens and disables these good natural qualities, as a result of which that nature needs enlightenment and healing, did not come from the blameless maker but from original sin, which was committed by free will."

6.17 & 6.18 - Pelagius on Human Freedom and his Pelagius' Rejection of Original Sin

Main Point - Pelagius believed that every human was born with the capacity for good and evil, what each individual chooses to do is their decision.

Most important passage - "Everything, good and evil, concerning which we are worthy of praise or of blame, is done by us, not born with us. We are not born in our full development, but with capacity for good and evil;"

6.19 - Council of Carthage on Grace - Patristic

The council of Carthage officially ended the Palagian controversy.

6.47 - Jonathan Edwards on Original Sin - Protestant

Main Point - Taylor argues that only the person who has a "consciousness" of sin can justly be held guilty for it.

Most important passage - "That every one of mankind, at least such as are capable of acting as moral agents, are guilty of sin (now not taking it for granted that they came guilty into the world) is most clearly and abundantly evident from the holy scriptures"

6.57 - Benedict XVI on the Identity of Humanity- Roman Catholic

Every human being is known by God and loved by him. The human being is directly related to God. We are all made in God's image, even before we are born.

Opinion

6.3 Tertullian believes God should judge people as individuals, not as a whole group, and I agree. If sin and guilt are passed on from father to son then I am assuming we are born sinful. Why are we born sinful? I am guessing because our parents sinned and sin is passed from father to son. The 1st father that ever sinned was Adam. But God created Adam, and Adam was not created with sin. He chose to be sinful,