Posted by KC [circe] on November 13, 1999 at 10:23:05 {OA5YBxH8IAP6iqioOwug1f0.a//UGw}:
One of the most important concepts in Christianity is "Original Sin", or the belief that all mankind has inherited a sinful nature brought about by the acts of Adam and Eve:
Rom 5:12 That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."
Rom 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,..."
1Cor 15:22 "For as in Adam all die…"
Compare other Bible verses that show that Jehovah punishes children for the deeds of their fathers:
Ex 12:29 ”And it came about that at midnight Jehovah struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Phar'aoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the prison hole, and every firstborn of beast."
Ex 20:5 "You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me"
Deut 23:2 “No illegitimate son may come into the congregation of Jehovah. Even to the tenth generation none of his may come into the congregation of Jehovah.
How, then, to explain these verses?
Deut. 24:16 " “Fathers should not be put to death on account of children, and children should not be put to death on account of fathers. Each one should be put to death for his own sin." (See also: 2 Kings 14:6)
Ezek. 18:20 "The soul that is sinning—it itself will die. A son himself will bear nothing because of the error of the father, and a father himself will bear nothing because of the error of the son. Upon his own self the very righteousness of the righteous one will come to be, and upon his own self the very wickedness of a wicked one will come to be."
Rom. 2:6 "And he will render to each one according to his works."
The Bible both teaches and condemns "Original Sin". Does that make sense?
Original Sin makes about as much sense as if I were sitting at home one evening and the following occurred: The police came to my door and stated I was under arrest because my father in Europe just shot and killed someone. I responded by asking what that had to do with me and they said, "He's your father, isn't he?"
KC