Original Sin - The Forgotten Doctrine Part 1

Introduction
The day is coming and now is when we will have to explain what we mean when we say "Sin". Moreover, we have become illiterate of the term "Original Sin" in many Christian circles today. Without Sin or Original sin we are left with a watery "feel good" gospel full of warm platitudes but lacking anything that might give light unto salvation. For it is not for legalistic merit that we must uphold the meaning of sin, but for the sake of not deceiving ourselves of the truth of our own depravity that we must profess it. Yes, and we must recall the meaning of Christ death anew.
We will need to explore the origins of this doctrine to find our bearing.

Historical Roots - The Heritage of the Doctrine of Original Sin
'Original Sin' as a doctrine is derived from scripture but was historically formulated by Augustine. This was not so much of a generation of a new doctrine as it was a summarization of the Biblical teachings. Let me show some examples...

1. Man is Created Perfect - Scripture: Eccl 7:29 ; Augustine's teaching: "God the Author of all natures but not their defects, created man good..." City of God Book XIII, Ch3.
   
2. Adam sinned and fell from Perfection and Grace. Scripture: Gen. 3 ; Augustine's teaching: "As soon as our first parents had disobeyed God's commandment, they were immediately deprived of divine grace, and were ashamed and naked" City of God Book XIII, Ch. 3
3. The Sin of Adam Passed to All Men - Scripture: Rom 5:12 ; Augustine's teaching: "The fact that every individual springs forth from a condemned stock, and because Adam, must be first cankered and carnal, only later to become sound and spiritual by the process of rebirth in Christ" City of God Book XV Ch1
4. The Judgment of God is Upon All Men - Scriptures: Rom 5:18-19 ; Augustine's Teaching: "Undoubtedly, death is the penalty of all who come to birth on earth as descendants of the first man; nevertheless, if the penalty is paid in the name of justice and piety, it becomes a new birth in heaven." City of God Book XIII Ch 6

As we can see Augustine is simply expounding and formulating the consequences of the teaching of scripture.



Two questions are raised in the section above which may not be immediately evident. Firstly, what is the relation of Adam to mankind and secondly, how is sin passed upon all men?

There are two views to be considered and a hypothetical view as well. Please reply to these with your opinions for discussion.

Natural Imputation (Seminal/Hereditary)	Federal Imputation (Governmental/Priest-King)	Synthesis (Both)
The view that Adam is the father of us all and sin is imputed through biological means.	The view that Adam was our first governmental and spiritual representative (like Christ) and sin is imputed by law sanction.	This is a hypothetical view which would hold that Adam is both our Biological Father and Federal Head and therefore there is sin imputation both biological and Federal.