Does Fallen Human Nature Itself Merit Guilt?

Hello and welcome. In this article, we examine human nature after the fall and seek to understand if merely having a fallen human nature merits guilt and, as a result, condemnation and wrath from God. This question is related to the doctrine of the fall and its potential consequences. Our primary article on ancestral sin, which outlines our view of the consequences of Adam's sin for humanity, can be read here. To answer this question, we will examine biblical texts and historical sources.

Jesus Mythicism Prooftexts Examined: 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will examine one of the biblical prooftexts used to support the false theory of Jesus mythicism. Previously on our blog, we've written an introduction to Jesus mythicism, which covered the primary methodologies of Jesus mythicism, key figures in the historical development of mythicism, and summary statements of the position from contemporary sources that affirm the theory. You can read that article here to get better acquainted with the issue. 

Paedobaptists on the Biblical Silence for Paedobaptism

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll document comments made by various Paedobaptist theologians on what the Bible says about infant baptism. We will then observe how some Paedobaptists argue for the doctrine in light of the acknowledged biblical data and take notice of various underlying inferences that are critical to the Paedobaptist case. For a brief primer on Credobaptism and Paedobaptism, see our introduction to baptismal theology article here. 

Jesus Mythicism Prooftexts Examined: 2 Peter 1:16

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will examine one of the many biblical prooftexts used to support the false theory of Jesus mythicism. Previously on our blog, we've written an introduction to Jesus mythicism, which covered the primary methodologies of Jesus mythicism, key figures in the historical development of mythicism, and summary statements of the position from contemporary sources that affirm the theory. You can read that article here to get better acquainted with the issue. 

A Comprehensive Introduction to Jesus Mythicism

 

Hello and welcome. This is our introductory article on the topic of Jesus mythicism. By the end of this article, we will have covered the primary methodologies of Jesus mythicism, key figures in the historical development of mythicism, and summary statements of the position from contemporary sources that affirm this theory. This article will not unpack and deal with specific arguments for Jesus mythicism. We will address various arguments in future articles. 

Theologians and Historians on the Development of Paedobaptism

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll document comments made by various theologians and church historians on the development of Paedobaptism in Christian history and compare them with comments made by Paedobaptist apologists. For a brief primer on Credobaptism and Paedobaptism, see our introduction to baptismal theology article here. 

The Development and Error of Infant Limbo

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze and critique a particular conclusion within the original sin perspective of the fall and its consequences. To look at all of our articles about original sin, see here. 

Original Sin: Guilty but not Condemned?

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze and critique a particular conclusion within the original sin perspective of the fall and its consequences. To look at all of our articles about original sin, see here. 

Infant Salvation in the Baptist Tradition

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will look at the doctrine of infant salvation in the Baptist tradition between the 17th and 20th centuries. The material here will build off of other articles we've written. This includes our article on ancestral sin in the early Anabaptists. To read that article, see here. In addition, our article on ancestral sin in 19th-20th century Baptists. To read that article, see here. 

Interpretations of Psalm 51:5 in Early Christianity

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will look at interpretations of Psalm 51:5 in early Christianity. This article supplements our analysis of whether Psalm 51:5 teaches original sin. To read that article, see here. 

Ancestral Sin in 19th-20th Century Baptists

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will look at ancestral sin in the Baptist tradition between the 19th and 20th centuries. So far on our blog, we've looked at ancestral sin, the view of the fall where guilt is not among the detriments transmitted or inherited from Adam, in the 16th-century Anabaptists. To read that article, see here. We've also looked at the magisterial reformers on original sin. To read that article, see here. These are the two most relevant articles we've done for our focus here. Before getting into the focus of this article, let's review our findings from the 16th century.

Understanding Psalm 51:5 and Original Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze Psalm 51:5 as it pertains to the fall and its consequences for humanity. More precisely, whether or not Psalm 51:5 demonstrates that one of the consequences of the fall is that, from conception, all humans receive the guilt of Adam's sin that he committed in the garden. This potential consequence is one of the distinctions of the original sin perspective of the fall. Our aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of these verses and present reasons why this passage does not teach distinctive points of original sin. 

Does Suffering prove Inherited Adamic Guilt?

Hello and welcome. As it relates to inherited Adamic guilt, the question of suffering pertains to the issue of original sin versus ancestral sin, the consequences of the fall, and the spiritual condition of infants from conception. Contrary to original sin, we affirm ancestral sin. To get a full grasp of this doctrine, please read our article making the affirmative case for ancestral sin. We've already written about a similar issue of whether physical mortality proves inherited Adamic guilt. To read that article see here. The argument of suffering proving inherited Adamic guilt is less common and prominent, but it does need to be addressed. 

Examining the Jewish Culture Argument for Paedobaptism

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will examine a particular argument for Paedobaptism. This is what we're calling the Jewish culture argument. This argument for Paedobaptism is a complimentary and tertiary argument to other arguments we've written about. Namely, the covenantal unity argument. You can read our article about that here. Also, to a lesser extent, the argument that baptism is the new circumcision. You can read our article about that here. Let's begin by framing this argument. 

Early Christians on Acts 2:39

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll look at comments on Acts 2:39 in early Christianity. This article is a supplement to our article on Acts 2:39 offering a comprehensive critique of Paedobaptist interpretations. You can read that article here. 

Acts 2:39 & Infant Baptism: A Comprehensive Critique

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will examine a popular prooftext used to argue for Paedobaptism,  which is Acts 2:39. This prooftext often goes in tandem with and/or built off of a particular understanding of the biblical covenants which lends itself to Paedobaptism. We've covered the covenantal unity argument for Paedobaptism in this article here. We won't be rehashing all of our thoughts on that here. Instead, our focus will be on contextually analyzing Acts 2:39 and critiquing the Paedobaptist interpretations of the verse. 

Understanding Ephesians 2:1-3 and Original Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze Ephesians 2:1-3 as it pertains to the fall and its consequences for humanity. More precisely, whether or not Ephesians 2:1-3 demonstrates that one of the consequences of the fall is that from conception all humans receive the guilt of Adam's personal sin that he committed in the garden. This potential consequence is one of the distinctions of the original sin perspective of the fall. Our aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of these verses and present reasons why this passage does not teach distinctive points of original sin. 

Theologians and Historians on the Development of Original Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be documenting comments made by various theologians and church historians on the development of original sin in Christian history. The issue of the fall and its potential consequences is something we've already covered at great length. To get a primer on this, see our article here which goes over our perspective called ancestral sin which is distinct from original sin. To look at all of our articles that talk about the doctrine of original sin, see here. 

Examining the Covenantal Unity Argument for Paedobaptism

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will examine a particular argument for Paedobaptism. This is the covenantal unity argument. This argument for Paedobaptism is most prominent in Reformed Presbyterian circles and is often argued for in tandem with the infant circumcision to baptism argument. We've covered the infant circumcision to baptism argument in this article here. The argument for covenantal unity is primarily derived from the hermeneutical framework of covenant theology. In this article, we won't be putting forth a comprehensive account of how the biblical covenants fit together and relate to each other. Instead, we'll be focused on examining and critiquing the distinctions of the covenantal unity argument for Paedobaptism. 

How have Reformed Traditions historically understood Original Sin?

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll look at how various Reformed traditions historically understood the doctrine of original sin according to confessions and statements. We've already written about this topic from our perspective of ancestral sin. To better understand our perspective, read our article making a biblical case for ancestral sin here. We've also covered the early Anabaptist perspective in our article here. 

Is Infant Baptism the new Infant Circumcision?

Hello and welcome. In this article, we will look at New Testament baptism as it relates to Old Testament circumcision and the argument for continuity between these two practices regarding infants. We will examine the supposed strength, clarity, and validity of the inference to connect these two practices. Before reading this article, we recommend you read our introduction to baptismal theology article here. 

Intro to Baptismal Theology: The Recipients of Baptism

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll briefly summarize the issues surrounding the topic of who the proper recipients of baptism are. This introductory article will help set the stage for future articles on this topic. 

A Soteriological Analysis of "Overcome" in Revelation

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be examining verses in Revelation that speak about overcoming and unpacking their meaning to identify the soteriological implications and application of these verses. 

Soul Creationism in Early Christianity

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll study the historicity of soul creationism in the first centuries of Christian history. This doctrine relates to the question of the human soul's origin. To get a complete picture and fully grasp this doctrine, the issues surrounding it, and why we affirm it please read this article here first where we provide a comprehensive biblical analysis of the soul's origin. 

Is Ancestral Sin a Pelagian Doctrine?

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll examine the objection of ancestral sin being a pelagian/semi-pelagian doctrine. We will unpack the historical sources detailing the condemnation of Pelagianism and the historical doctrinal development of infant salvation across multiple theological traditions. To fully grasp the doctrine of ancestral sin and its historicity, check out our article defending ancestral sin biblically and our articles detailing its articulation in early Christianity and the early Anabaptists.

Does Ancestral Sin Undermine the Gospel?

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll answer questions related to an objection and/or question related to ancestral sin, a doctrine we affirm, regarding whether it undermines the gospel. In addition, we will give reasons why we believe ancestral sin actually magnifies and helps clarify the gospel. To get a good understanding of ancestral sin, read this article first where we make a biblical case for the doctrine. 

Interpretations of Ephesians 2:1-3 in Early Christianity

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll look at interpretations of Ephesians 2:1-3 in early Christianity. This article supplements and provides additional evidence supporting our article that covers ancestral sin in early Christianity. We recommend you read that article before this. Additionally, we've written an article here going over the passage and critiquing the original sin interpretation of Ephesians 2:1-3 from a biblical perspective.

Examining Federal Headship and Imputed Adamic Guilt

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll examine federal headship as a potential mechanism for Adam's guilt being transmitted to all of his descendants. This idea is distinctive of the original sin view concerning the fall and its consequences. This is a view we do not affirm. Contrary to original sin, we affirm ancestral sin. To get a full grasp of this doctrine, please read our article making the affirmative case for ancestral sin. Some of our points made in that article will be restated here. The doctrine of federal headship is almost completely tied to a faulty understanding of Romans 5 from the original sin perspective. To get a comprehensive understanding of Romans 5, read our article on it here. 

Does Mortality prove Inherited Adamic Guilt?

Hello and welcome. As it relates to inherited Adamic guilt, the question of mortality pertains to the issue of original sin versus ancestral sin, the consequences of the fall, and the spiritual condition of infants from conception. Contrary to original sin, we affirm ancestral sin. To get a full grasp of this doctrine, please read our article making the affirmative case for ancestral sin.

A Comprehensive Biblical Analysis of the Soul's Origin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze the human soul's origin according to scripture and its theological implications. The question of the soul's origin is closely connected to the issues of the fall's consequences, original sin, and the transmission of guilt. Contrary to original sin, we affirm what's called ancestral sin. To read more about ancestral sin, read our article here making a biblical case for the doctrine. 

Where Does Human Sin Originate?

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll look at where sin ultimately originates for humans. Does it arise in our spiritual soul, external influences, or in our flesh? This question is related to the issues of human anthropology, the debate between Creationism versus Traducianism, the consequences of the fall, and theodicy. 

Interpretations of Romans 5 in Early Christianity

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll look at interpretations of Romans 5 in early Christianity. This article supplements and provides additional evidence supporting our article that covers ancestral sin in early Christianity. Additionally, this article follows the pattern of thought that we put forth in our article examining Romans 5 and original sin. We recommend you read that article before this. 

A Comprehensive Analysis of Romans 5 and Original Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll analyze Romans 5 as it pertains to the fall and its consequences for humanity. More precisely, whether or not Romans 5 demonstrates that one of the consequences of the fall is that from conception all humans receive the guilt of Adam's personal sin that he committed in the garden. This potential consequence is one of the distinctions of the original sin perspective of the fall. If there's any passage of scripture that is most central to the doctrine of original sin, it's certainly Romans 5. Our aim here is to provide an in-depth analysis of the chapter and critique the original sin interpretation of the passage.

The Historic Connection between Original Sin and Infant Damnation

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be covering how affirmers of original sin's distinctions (inherited/imputed Adamic guilt) have historically viewed damnation as the default fate of infants. We'll be showing how these two doctrines have been intimately linked throughout history. We've previously addressed the question of whether inherited guilt entails infant damnation in this article. In that article, we concluded that the answer to the question is "yes". 

Ancestral Sin in the Early Anabaptists

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be looking at the historicity of ancestral sin beginning in the Reformation of the 16th century from early Anabaptists. To get a complete picture and fully grasp this doctrine and why we affirm it, start here with our article on ancestral sin. We highly recommend that you read that first to be grounded in the sure foundation of Scripture. Additionally, we recommend that you read our article on ancestral sin in early Christianity. That article shows the historicity of ancestral sin in the earliest centuries of Christianity. To begin, let's first define ancestral sin and highlight its distinctions between alternative views concerning the fall and its consequences. 

Analyzing Historical Prooftexts for Original Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be examining early Christian prooftexts given in historical support for the doctrine of original sin. The purpose here won't be to track the historical development of the doctrine. Instead, we'll be focused on prooftexts that we actually don't believe are best interpreted as promoting and confirming the distinctions of original sin. The view we hold concerning the fall and its consequences is called ancestral sin. To get a complete picture and fully grasp this doctrine and why we affirm it, start here with our article on ancestral sin. We highly recommend that you read that article first to be grounded in the sure foundation of Scripture. Additionally, we recommend you look over our article highlighting articulations of ancestral sin in early Christianity. 

Ancestral Sin in Early Christianity

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll study the historicity of ancestral sin in the first centuries of Christian history. To get a complete picture and fully grasp this doctrine and why we affirm it, view our article on ancestral sin. We highly recommend that you read that article first to be grounded in the sure foundation of Scripture. 

A Comprehensive Analysis of Original Sin Prooftexts

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we'll be analyzing prooftexts and arguments in favor of original sin. 

Disclaimer: (This article is an ongoing project. It will be updated with more analysis regularly)

Does Inherited Adamic Guilt logically entail Infant Damnation?

 

Previously, we've made our case for ancestral sin and our view that the guilt of Adam's sin isn't inherited/imputed to the souls of all humans from conception. (See our article on ancestral sin here.) In this article, we'll talk about the logical implications of affirming inherited/imputed guilt which is the primary distinction of the original sin perspective. 

A Comprehensive Biblical Case for Ancestral Sin

 

Hello and welcome. In this article, we're going to be diving into the Garden of Eden, what happened in the garden, and what that means for us today thousands of years after the fact. We will make a case for our beliefs and perspectives on this issue. Before we get into the weeds, let's set the stage and identify the main views of this issue.  

The Ordo Salutis: What is adoption and when does it happen?

 

In the Reformed Christian tradition, there is a lot of theology surrounding the Ordo Salutis (the order of salvation.) Does regeneration come before faith or after faith? Are we elect before or after conversion? Does calling come before or after election? These are some soteriological questions they try to answer about the sequence of events in human salvation with their system of theology and their particular Ordo Salutis. 

In this article, we are going to be digging into adoption. What do the Reformed Calvinists believe adoption is? When do they think it happens? And above all, what does Scripture actually tell us about the topic?