THE FALL OF MANKIND

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND

OLD TESTAMENT
Judaism does not focus on the sinfulness of all humans. It basically asserts the tension
between “the good intent” and “the evil intent” in every person (i.e., the two yetzers). The famous proverb
is “in every human heart is a black and a white dog. The one that is fed the most becomes the biggest.”

Some Rabbinical Midrash does assert the origin of evil from Genesis 6 (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: SONS
OF GOD IN GENESIS 6). The Church has focused on Genesis 3 as the origin of sin and rebellion in
humanity. Christianity has explained the evil and suffering in this world as a result of human sin, not the
Divine will. This is not the world God intended it to be!

Adam and Eve’s choice of self directiveness over God’s word brought a terrible
consequence to all humans. This theological concept is called “Hebrew Corporality” (see
SPECIAL TOPIC:
CHRISTIANITY IS CORPORATE).
NEW TESTAMENT
That the Fall affected all mankind (i.e., Hebrew corporality) is clearly expressed by Paul in
Rom. 5:12-21). Paul develops his theology of the sinfulness of all humanity in the book of Romans. The
first point of “the good news” of the gospel is the bad news of human need! Paul develops this from
Rom. 1:18-3:18 (the summary conclusion is Rom. 3:19-31; also note Eph. 2:1-3). Romans describes
the lostness, sinfulness, and need of all human beings.
1. immoral pagans
2. moral pagans
3. Jews
  Everyone is responsible to God because of
  1. natural revelation, Rom. 1:18-23
  2. internal moral witness, Rom. 2:14-16
One of the most horrible recurrent phrases in Romans 1-3 is, “God gave them over. . .”
(cf. Rom.1:24,26 1:24,26,28; Eph. 4:17-19). A shocking litany of OT texts is quoted in Rom. 3:9-18!
Humans are in deep trouble, need, and rebellion! One does not need a “Savior” until one recognizes his/her need!

Romans 5:12-21 is a discussion of Jesus as the second Adam (cf. 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45-49;
Phil. 2:6-8). It gives emphasis to the theological concept of both individual sin and corporate guilt. Paul’s
development of mankind’s (and creation’s, cf. Rom. 8:18-23) fall in Adam was unique and different from
the rabbis’, while his view of corporality was very much in line with rabbinical teaching. It showed Paul’s
ability under inspiration to use, or supplement, the truths he was taught during his training in Jerusalem
under Gamaliel (cf. Acts 22:3).
THEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
The doctrine of original sin from Genesis 3, and Paul, was developed by Augustine and Calvin.
It asserts that humans are born sinful. Often Psalm 51:5; 58:3 and Job 15:14; 25:4 are used as OT proof-texts.
The alternate theological position that humans are morally and spiritually responsible for their own choices and
destiny was developed first by Rabbinical Midrash and then in the church by Pelagius and Arminius. There is
some evidence for their view in Deut. 1:39; Isa. 7:15 and Jonah 4:11; John 9:41; 15:22,24; Acts 17:30; Rom. 4:15.
The thrust of this theological position would be that children are innocent until an age of moral responsibility
(for the rabbis this was 13 years old for boys and 12 years old for girls); see
SPECIAL TOPIC:
THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

There is a mediating position in which both an innate evil propensity and an age of moral
responsibility are both true! Evil is not only corporate, but a developing evil of self and sin (life apart from God).
The wickedness of humanity is not the issue (cf. Gen. 6:5, 11-12, 13; Rom. 3:9-18, 23). but the when—at
birth or later in life?