The Doctrine of Original Sin and It’s Comparison to the Jewish Roots of Christianity
The Importance of Roots
Our website is dedicated to recapturing and restoring the roots of our faith. These roots are found in the fertile soil of Second Temple Judaism. Jesus was a part of that first-century Jewish world, and so we often speak of our Jewish roots.
At the same time, as believers in Jesus in the 21st century, we also inherit a heritage from the post-first-century church—the second, third, and fourth centuries—where deep theological roots took hold. Today, we’ll be examining both.
Why study roots? Because we understand a simple truth:
Good roots produce good fruit.
Conversely, bad roots yield either no fruit or bad fruit. Sometimes, we need to weed the garden—to cultivate that which is healthy and prune away that which has crept in but does not faithfully reflect the biblical witness.
One of the major theological roots of historic Christianity is the doctrine of original sin. Dwight Pryor taught an entire course on original sin and its ramifications. Much of this study is pulled from his teaching.
As Pryor studied Judaism, it didn’t take long to realize that Judaism and Christianity are diametrically opposed on this issue. Increasingly, he noticed that many believers wrestle with an unhealthy and unbiblical sense of guilt—rooted, Pryor believes, in a misunderstanding of original sin.
Understanding the roots of our faith is essential for cultivating a sound and fruitful theological perspective. Our study seeks to explore one of the most fundamental doctrines of historic Christianity—the doctrine of original sin—and its profound differences from Jewish thought. Rooted in Second Temple Judaism, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles provide valuable insight into how early believers understood sin, free will, and human responsibility. However, later theological developments—particularly those influenced by Augustine and the Reformers—shaped much of Christian doctrine regarding human nature and salvation.
By examining both perspectives—Christian and Jewish—we aim to rediscover what Scripture truly teaches, separating inherited traditions from biblical truth. This study is not merely an academic exercise; it is an opportunity to reflect on how our understanding of sin, grace, and human potential affects our spiritual walk. As we journey through the history, theology, and implications of original sin, we will challenge assumptions, question theological constructs, and seek to align our faith with the biblical witness.
The Doctrine of Original Sin
The doctrine of original sin is a fundamental belief in most branches of Christianity. It refers to the idea that all human beings inherit a sinful nature due to the first transgression of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The doctrine is derived primarily from Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and from Romans 5:12-19, where Paul describes how sin and death entered the world through Adam.
Key Aspects of Original Sin
Inherited Sinfulness
Original sin teaches that humanity is born in a fallen state—separated from God and inclined toward sin.
This idea is based on passages like Psalm 51:5, where David says, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
Guilt and Corruption
Many Christian traditions believe that original sin results in both guilt (legal condemnation) and corruption(a sinful nature).
This means humans are not just inclined to sin but are incapable of perfect righteousness on their own.
Consequences of the Fall
As a result of Adam’s sin, humanity suffers:
Spiritual death (separation from God)
Physical death (mortality)
A tendency toward sin (concupiscence)
A world affected by sin (suffering, brokenness, and evil)
Augustine’s Formulation
St. Augustine (4th-5th century) was the primary theologian who developed and systematized the doctrine of original sin.
He argued that sin and guilt were transmitted through human procreation, meaning every person is born guilty and spiritually dead.
This belief led to the practice of infant baptism, as it was thought necessary to cleanse newborns from the guilt of original sin.
Theological Interpretations
Catholicism:
Teaches that original sin is inherited but removed through baptism.
After baptism, concupiscence (the tendency to sin) remains, but the guilt is cleansed.
Eastern Orthodoxy:
Rejects Augustine’s idea of inherited guilt but acknowledges that humanity inherits a fallen nature and is subject to death.
Focuses on Christ’s role in healing and restoring humanity rather than removing inherited guilt.
Protestantism:
Lutheran & Reformed (Calvinist) views: Humanity is totally depraved—completely unable to choose God without divine grace.
Arminianism (Methodist, some Baptists): Humanity is fallen but retains some free will, allowing people to accept God's grace.
Biblical Support for Original Sin
Romans 5:12 – "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."
1 Corinthians 15:22 – "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
Ephesians 2:3 – "We were by nature deserving of wrath."
The Role of Jesus in Overcoming Original Sin
Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the solution to original sin.
Through His death and resurrection, He provides atonement for sin.
Through faith in Christ, believers receive forgiveness, new life, and reconciliation with God (Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Original sin is the belief that all humanity inherits a fallen nature and stands in need of salvation. The doctrine underscores the necessity of divine grace, which Christians believe is provided through Jesus Christ. While different traditions interpret original sin in various ways, it remains a foundational doctrine shaping Christian views on human nature, salvation, and the need for redemption.
The doctrine of original sin, central to many Christian traditions, fundamentally conflicts with Jewish beliefs about human nature, sin, and divine justice. The main points of divergence between Judaism and Christianity on this doctrine stem from different interpretations of Scripture, the role of free will, and the nature of sin itself.
Judaism Rejects the Idea of Inherited Sin and Guilt
Christianity teaches that all humanity inherited sin and guilt from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), leading to a sinful nature present from birth.
Judaism, however, rejects the idea that Adam’s sin resulted in all humans being born sinful or guilty. Instead:
Each person is born innocent and pure (Ecclesiastes 7:29 – “God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”).
Sin is seen as a personal choice, not a hereditary condition (Deuteronomy 24:16 – “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each will die for their own sin.”).
Babies are born without sin and do not require baptism or cleansing from an inherited guilt.
Judaism Emphasizes Free Will Over Total Depravity
Christianity (especially in Augustinian and Calvinist theology) often teaches Total Depravity—that humans are so corrupted by original sin that they cannot choose good or follow God without divine grace.
Judaism, in contrast, teaches that every person has complete free will and is fully capable of choosing good or evil (Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.”).
The Yetzer HaRa (inclination to do evil) and Yetzer HaTov (inclination to do good) exist within every person, but the individual is responsible for choosing righteousness.
Judaism Does Not View the Fall as Corrupting Human Nature
In Christianity, the Fall of Adam and Eve is seen as an event that radically changed human nature, making people sinful by default.
Judaism does not interpret Genesis 3 in the same way. Instead:
The sin of Adam and Eve is viewed as an example of human disobedience and the misuse of free will, not as a cosmic catastrophe that altered human nature.
Mortality (physical death) was a consequence of their sin, but human beings remain morally capable and responsible for their actions.
Judaism Does Not Teach That Sin Requires a Divine Savior for Atonement
In Christianity, original sin means that all people are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, who is seen as the only means of atonement for inherited sin.
Judaism teaches that atonement is achieved through personal repentance (teshuvah), prayer, good deeds, and divine mercy (Ezekiel 18:21-22 – “If a wicked man turns away from all his sins... he will surely live; he will not die.”).
Sacrifices in the Temple (before its destruction in 70 CE) were one form of atonement but not the only way to seek forgiveness. Today, repentance, charity, and seeking reconciliation with others fulfill this role.
Judaism Views God’s Justice Differently
The doctrine of original sin suggests that God holds all humans guilty for Adam’s sin, which Judaism sees as unjust.
Judaism believes in individual accountability:
Ezekiel 18:20 – “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.”
God is just and does not punish people for sins they did not commit.
Judaism Emphasizes Personal Growth Over a Sinful Nature
Christianity sees humans as naturally inclined toward sin and unable to be righteous without divine intervention.
Judaism emphasizes human potential for goodness and moral development, focusing on learning, discipline, and community responsibility.
Conclusion: Two Different Worldviews
The doctrine of original sin presents a negative view of human nature, requiring salvation from inherited guilt. Judaism, however, maintains that people are born innocent, capable of righteousness, and held accountable only for their own actions.
This fundamental difference shapes how each tradition understands sin, atonement, human responsibility, and the need for divine grace. While Christianity sees original sin as requiring redemption through Jesus, Judaism believes repentance and righteous living restore a person’s relationship with God.
At the heart of the debate over original sin is a deeper question: What is the true nature of humanity, and how does God view us? Christianity and Judaism offer two vastly different perspectives—one emphasizing inherited guilt and the necessity of divine intervention, the other affirming human moral responsibility and the potential for righteousness.
Throughout this study, we have explored the historical development of original sin, its impact on Christian thought, and its stark contrast with Jewish teachings. Understanding these differences is not about choosing sides, but about sharpening our awareness of how theological ideas have evolved and how they shape our spiritual identity.
Ultimately, we are called to seek truth, cultivate good roots, and produce good fruit. As we continue our exploration in subsequent studies, we will consider how these theological foundations influence our relationship with God, our understanding of salvation, and our role in His divine plan. In the next study, we will explore the idea of original sin further and look at its ramifications.