Original Sin: against the teachings of the Bible
By Shais
- Meaning of Original sin
- Original sin in the light of the Bible
- Concept of Original sin in Islam
- Salvation according to Jesus Christ (pbuh)
- Meaning of original sin
Meaning of Original sin according to Catholic Encyclopedia
“Original sin may be taken to mean: (1) the sin that Adam committed; (2) a consequence of this first sin, the hereditary stain with which we are born on account of our origin or descent from Adam.”
The story can be found of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. The Bible puts the blame on Eve alone that she was the one who tempted Adam. In the Quran both of them are addressed several times in Quran 7:19-27 but in the entire Qur’an there is not a single verse which puts the blame only on Eve. The blame is put on both of them.
The question arises; did Adam and Eve ask me before eating the apple? If they did not ask me before eating the apple how can I be held responsible?
Suppose your great great grandfather commits a murder and I want to punish you for that, what will you think of me? I am sure you will think this person is a loony he is mentally unstable. I am asking, how can God be unjust? How can he punish you and me for what Adam and Eve did?
2. Original sin in the Light of the Bible
The Bible says
20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. 21 "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.(Ezekiel 18:20-21)
The above verses of the Bible clearly deny the dogma of Original sin. The Bible says
“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin..” (Deuteronomy 24:16)
The same message is also repeated in II Chronicles 25:4 and II Kings 14:6.
From above we can clearly see that the concept of original sin is against the teachings of the Bible and each human being will be held responsible for his own deeds.
Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) considered children to be innocent and NOT born in sin. Jesus Christ (pbuh) said
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
3. Concept of original sin in Islam
In Islam there is no such concept of original sin. The Quran says
“Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear bear the burden of another.” (Quran 6:164)
Each human being will be held responsible for his own sins. Father is not responsible for son’s sins and neither is the son responsible for father’s sins.
4. Salvation according to Jesus Christ (pbuh)
Many Christians have a misconception that salvation comes by believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (pbuh). These were never his teachings but the teachings of Paul, the self-appointed disciple of Jesus.
For salvation Jesus Christ (pbuh) said
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." (Mathew 19:16-17)
Jesus Christ (pbuh) said
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Mathew 5:20)
Following the commandments meaning following what is said in the Old Testament. Like believing in one God (Exodus 20:3-5), following the 10 commandments. Following the final messenger Muhammad (pbuh) and so on and so forth.
I leave it upon the Christians whether they want to listen to the self-appointed apostle Paul or to Jesus Christ (pbuh).
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