I Still Believe In Original Sin

Recently I was listening to one of the candidates for president in this country. He was proclaiming himself the one who can bring renewal, hope and a new beginning. He will unite us and bring us a new destiny. As I said to some friends, his speech gave me stomach cramps. It was all because I don't believe any president can or ever will be able to offer what this one promises.

Why the pessimism? It is because I believe in original sin. Now there's a concept that is rejected by religious people and the scientific community alike, particularly those who espouse the theory of evolution. You cannot believe in macro evolution and in original sin at the same time.

Permit me to explain.

I'll start with original sin.

The New England Primer written before 1680 by Edward Taylor summarized the teaching with the ditty "In Adam's fall we sinned all." What that teaching suggests is that we all bear a common lineage, regardless of race, gender or nationality. In our human nature we completely lack any good in spiritual, divine things. We are all descended from Adam and Eve, a real couple who disobeyed God and were banished from the Garden of Eden. And so we do not seek God, nor do we love Him. It is rather our nature to create and worship other gods. We are, in fact, enemies of God and of all that He would teach us to believe in. It is another way of saying that God's image has been corrupted. In heart, soul, mind, heart and will we are opposed to God and to the doing of His will. This is our nature.

But wait, wait, you're saying to me. How can that be? Think of all the fine, noble and wonderful things men do. They're certainly not all done by Christians. They're done even by atheists. Yes, even people who believe in no god at all give money to the poor, support hospitals and numerous causes that promote the well-being of mankind.

And what about the wondrous progress of science? As you yourself admit, not all who devote their lives to that pursuit are followers and believers in Jesus Christ. Yet, they have brought us hundreds of advancements in medical science, agriculture, transportation, physics, etc. The astounding list goes on and on. In fact, old man, you wouldn't even be around any longer if you'd come down with pneumonia, appendicitis and some other ailments you've recovered from if you'd lived a hundred or so years ago. The discoveries of modern medicine have been used to keep you alive to write this article.

You're right, of course. In natural and external things that are subject to reason we humans still possesses a measure of power, and ability. That's the amazing and wondrous thing about us. The image of God is still reflected within us, though greatly weakened. According to God's blessing, we still have the power to "be fruitful and increase in number." We still have the command to "fill the earth and subdue it." We still retain His mandate to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Genesis 1:28).

We have seen some astounding discoveries in the past century. They continue, thanks to human science and the use of reason. But even this reason is corrupt! We do not love the Lord God with our minds. I cannot imagine what it would be like if we did and if our mental facilities were free from the corruption of sin.



But, but, but . . . What about all the astounding discoveries of paleontology and archeology? What about the famous Lucy fossil? What about homo erectus, Neanderthal skulls and all that other stuff that is taught in grade schools and high schools across our country? What about Mary, Louis and Richard Leakey? What about all that you old, out-of-touch, seventeenth-century-thinking man? What about evolution?

Tell you what. Are you willing to do a little online reading? Read what Ray Bohlin writes in his article "Human Fossils - 'Just So' Stories of Apes and Humans." He suggests that "Effects of the ice age, constant cloud cover (preventing Vitamin D formation leading to rickets), largely vegetarian and uncooked diet, and expression of local genetic variation could readily account for the many different, yet anatomically related human forms" that have been labeled as evolutionary steps toward the progressive march of evolution.

There are, of course, many other articles available. Consider the Creation Research Article "Beyond Scientific Creationism," published in December, 2004. The authors conclude,

"As time passes, it becomes evident to more people that issues of origins have more to do with worldviews than with science. The focus of the Intelligent Design movement on evolution has been especially telling, and the outmoded ideal of the white-coated, objective investigator with an answer for every question has slipped into the past."

Do your own research. Read the writings of Philip Johnson, William Demski, Michael Denton, Michael Behe and a growing host of others involved in the Intelligent Design movement and the debate about the origins of this world and all things living on it. And if you believe in the Risen Christ, the Second Adam, as I do, you too may end up being more than a little pessimistic about the powers of any politician, philosopher, orator or scientist to usher in the great, new perfect world. That world will only come when our Lord returns in all His power to restore what He created to its original glory.