13 Hamartiology

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CHAPTER SEVEN

HAMARTIOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF SIN

Introduction

The word Hamartia comes from the Greek word meaning to “miss the mark”
which originated from the New Testament. This chapter talks about how sin was entered
into one man and from one man to all. Dealing with different theological issues related to
original sin which stresses the actual sin. The doctrine of sin draws the original status of
man's imperfection. Therefore, acknowledging the doctrine of sin helps to understand the
story of redemption and gives the reason for all living kinds of death.

The origin of Sin

Sin originated in heaven before it did on earth. Evil was born in the breast of an
archangel in the presence of God. Isaiah describes Satan as Lucifer which is a Latin word
for “the morning star” (Isaiah 14:12). Ezekiel refers to Satan as the "anointed cherub"
(Ezek. 28:14). He was a very high-ranking angelic being ministering to God in heaven
and sinless when God created him (Ezek. 28:15). However, he became proud and wanted
to dethrone God. His sin originated in his heart and his pride of becoming greater than his
Creator God is expressed by "I will," five times in Isaiah 14:12-14.1
Other Angels Also Rebelled According to Revelation with Lucifer and became
demons (Rev. 12:3-9). This is made evident by the presence of the tempter (Satan) in the
Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1).2 Therefore, concluding that sin originated in heaven in the
heart of the "anointed cherub," a very high-ranking angelic being who is known as Satan.

1
Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1976), 665.

2
Norman L. Gesler, Systematic Theology Volume 3 (Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers,
2004), 89.
69

The Origin of Man Sin

The Bible teaches that Satan introduced the first sin into the world. The world as
made by God was good. It was not due to any inherent man that he sinned. The sin was
introduced by Satan in the form of the serpent, not by the cause of man’s fall. The sin
movement of apostasy began and came to fruition in man’s own bosom. The sin was not
the tempting, but their voluntary agreement to it. This is confirmed by James 1:12-15.

The Biblical Witness

There are two things to note. First, Jesus refers in John 8:44 “Your father the
devil.” Even more clearly, Paul repeats the protoevangelium in saying that “the God of
peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).
Second, Satan was part of the heavenly court; he was an angel. Satan wanted to be
like God, as God, even above God. But he was cast down, and now he has “laid the
nations low” (Isa. 14:12). Ezekiel 28 contains two oracles; one is addressed to a human
ruler (nagid) or “prince of Tyre,” while the other is addressed to the angelic ruler (Melek)
or “king of Tyre.”3

The Original Sin

The doctrine of Original Sin from Adam is also termed the doctrine of “Inherited
Sin.” Original Sin means that through one man all sin. It refers to the corruption of our
whole nature. Grudem explains “Paul points out that from the time of Adam to the time
of Moses, people did not have God’s written laws. Though their sins were “not counted”
they still died. The fact that they died is very good proof that God counted people guilty
based on Adam’s sin.”

The Inherited Guilt


3
Thomas H. McCall, Against God and Nature: The Doctrine of Sin (Wheaton: Crossway, 2019),
149.
70

All members of the human race were represented by Adam. God counted Adam’s
guilt as belonging to all, and since God is the ultimate judge of all things in the universe
His thoughts are always true, Adam’s guilt does in fact belong to all in Romans 5:13-14
further affirmed in Romans 5:18-19. The idea is that God counts all people guilty because
of Adam’s sin.4

The Inherited Pollution

This is also called original corruption means sinful nature, or the tendency to sin,
which all people inherit because of Adam’s sin. This idea entails that human natures are
totally lack spiritual good before God (Ps. 51:5; Eph. 2:3). And the actions we are totally
unable to do spiritual good before God (Rom. 8:8; Eph. 2:1-2).5 It is the absence of
original righteousness. This Inherited pollution may be considered from more than one
point of view as a result of the fall, namely, as total depravity and as total inability in the
following section.6

The Transmission of The Inherited Sin

The Transmission indicates how original sin is transmitted from one generation to
the next and the next and the next. A man inherits it from the parents as they did from
theirs, and so on back to the first parents, Adam and Eve. After they sinned, they could
only propagate after their kind; that is, their children were sinners by birth (Gen. 4:1; Ps.
51:5). This means that everyone born into this world is a sinner. No one is born good, nor
is anyone born partly good and partly sinful. All are equally sinful in God’s sight.7

The Total Depravity


4
Wayne A. Grudem and Gregg R. Allison, Systematic Theology and Historical Theology Bundle
(n. p: Zondervan, 2011), 1522.

5
Ibid., 1525.

6
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publication, 1939), 270.

7
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1999), 357.
71

The English word “depravity” means perverted. The Modern translation for
adokimos in Romans 1:28 means “not standing the test”. Depravity means that man fails
the test of pleasing God. This failure is total in that, it affects all aspects of man’s being.
Total depravity must always be measured against God’s holiness.
Every man is as depraved as he can possibly become. The sole condition of his
spiritual life was withdrawn. The sinner has no innate knowledge of the will of God, nor
a conscience that discriminates between good and evil. The inherent corruption extends to
every part of man’s nature, to all the faculties and powers of both soul and body. 8 But not
absolute depravity (John 5:42; Rom. 7:18, 23; Eph. 4:18).9

The Extent of The Total Depravity

The depravity of man is all-inclusive of all mankind descending from Adam by


ordinary generation in Romans 3:9-23 affirming this. There is none righteous, none that
seek God, none that doeth good.10 Depravity has produced a total spiritual inability in the
sinner in the sense that he cannot by his own decision change his character and life to
make them conformable to the law of God. yet he has a certain amount of freedom left.
He can choose not to sin against the Holy Spirit, resist certain forms of temptation, do
certain outwardly good acts, though with improper and unspiritual motives, and even
seek God from entirely selfish motives.

The Total Inability

It does not deny the possibility of certain natural but the inability is something
that man did not have in his original state (John 6:44-65). Unregenerate human beings are

8
Ryrie, Basic Theology, 355.

9
John. M. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief (Phillipsburg: P&R
Publishing Company), 777.

10
Morton H. Smith, Systematic Theology Volume 1,2 (n. p: The Ephesians Four Group;
Www.Freebiblesoftware.Com, 2016.), 2233.
72

not capable of doing anything genuinely good. Though they are able to do works that are
less bad than others, they are never able to do anything that pleases God.11

The Remedy for Inherited Sin

The remedy is twofold. (1) Redemption includes a judgment on the sinful nature
so that the believer is no longer bound to serve sin (Rom. 6:18; Gal. 5:24). All that which
belongs to the old life has been crucified with Christ. Death always means separation.
Therefore, His death separated us from the dominion of original sin. (2) However, the old
is not removed until the resurrection. Therefore, God has given His Holy Spirit to give
victory over sin in daily life. Man is separated from the dominion of sin by Christ’s death,
and free from its domination by the power of the Spirit.12

Theories on Inherited Sin

Pelagianism Theory: A monk from Britain stated that man being unaffected by
Adam’s sin, is morally well. Like the newly created Adam, each person determines his
moral state by his actions.13
Seme-Pelagianism Theory: They say that man is affected by Adam's fall but not
totally depraved, man has some freedom by which he can cooperate with the grace of
God. Teaches by the Roman Catholic church as well as some Protestant groups. Original
sin is eliminated in water baptism.
Socinianism Theory: Lelio Socinus (1525–62) and his nephew Faustus (1539–
1604), was the forerunner of Unitarianism. Its teachings include a denial of the deity of
Christ, a denial of predestination, original sin, total inability, and penal substitution.
Arminianism Theory: They teach that Adam was created in innocency, not
holiness, that sin consists in acts of the will, that man inherited pollution from Adam but
not guilt or sinful nature, that man is not totally depraved, that man has the ability to will

11
John M. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 777.

12
Ryrie, Basic Theology, 358.

13
Floyd H. Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith
(Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2001), 301.
73

to do good and to conform to God’s will in this life so as to be perfect. He promoted the
Seme-Pelagianism.
Neo-Orthodoxy Theory: They take sin very seriously. It is defined as self-
centeredness, rather than God-centeredness. For them, Adam's story is not historical.14
Augustine View: Augustine (354-430) was a Bishop of Hippo, North Africa. He
regarded man as being morally and spiritually dead. Believing in man’s total depravity.
Later held by Luther and Calvin.15

The Imputed of Sin

The impute means to ascribe something to someone. It is not mere influence but
involvement that is at the heart of the concept. Three basic imputations is, The Imputation
of Adam’s Sin to the Race (Rom. 5:12–21) This is the one that concerns humans in this
section on sin. The Imputation of Man’s Sin to Christ (2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Pet. 2:24). The
Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness to Believers (2 Cor. 5:21)

The Transmission of Imputed Sin

Imputed sin is transmitted directly from Adam to each individual in every


generation. Since a person in Adam, Adam’s sin is imputed directly, not through any
parents and their parents. Imputed sin is an immediate imputation.

The Remedy for Imputed Sin

The remedy for imputed sin is the imputed righteousness of Christ. The moment
anyone believes, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to that individual. As all are in Adam,
so all believers are in Christ, and being in Him means that His righteousness is in man.

14
Ryrie, Basic Theology, 360.

15
Barackman, Practical Christian Theology: Examining the Great Doctrines of the Faith, 301.
74

Theories on Imputed Sin

Pelagianism Theory: This theory holds that Adam’s sin affected only himself; that
every human soul is immediately created by God, and created innocent, free from
depraved tendencies, and able to obey God as Adam was. Men can be saved by the law as
well as by the gospel.
Arminianism Theory: A Dutch Theologian Arminius (1560-1609) in Holland. His
interpretation is called Semi-Pelagianism. Also, held by the Greek Church, the Methodist
body, and other Arminian bodies. He modified the Pelagian view that Adam’s corrupt
nature is transmitted to his progenies but by the universal prevenient grace, man can
neutralize the corrupt nature.
The Theory of Mediate Imputation: This theory recognizes that all men are born
physically and morally depraved and that this native depravity is the source of all actual
sin. the soul is immediately created by God, but it becomes actively corrupt as soon as it
is united to the body.
The Realistic Theory: All men are co-sinners with Adam. In this way, sin can be
justly imputed and man can be justly condemned because he participated in the sin. There
was impersonal and unconscious participation.
The Federal Theory: This view argue that Adam entered into a covenant of works
with God and that he spoke and acted for the entire race.
The Corporate Personality Theory: Any single individual can act as a
representative of the group. This is like a philosophical view.16
Calvinism: A French theologian serving in Geneva during the time of the
Reformation. He saw a close connection between Adam’s sin and the sin in every human
being. In his view when Adam sinned, we all sinned in him. The universal condemnation
is based on Adam’s sin.17

The Actual Sin


16
Henry Clarence Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1989), 186.

17
Sambhu Nath De, The Anthropology: Doctrine of Man and Sin (Ernakulam: Faith Baptist Bible
College and Seminary, 2022), 176.
75

The term “actual sins” means that not only merely denote those external actions
which are accomplished by means of the body, but all those conscious thoughts and
volitions which spring from original sin.
Original sin is one, actual sin is manifold. Actual sin may be interior, such as a
particular conscious doubt or evil design in the mind, or a particular conscious lust or
desire in the heart; but they may also be exterior, such as deceit, theft, adultery, murder,
and so on.18

Classification of the Actual Sin

The Bible makes an important distinction between sins committed disrespectfully


and sins committed unintentionally.
Sins of Commission: These are overt, sinful acts. It is intentionally doing it
(Num. 15:22-24; Matt. 23:23).
Sins of Omission: These are left undone; things that God expects to do but fail to
do them. (Jam. 4:17). The heathen is guilty indeed, but they who have God’s revelation
and enjoy the privileges of the gospel ministry are far more guilty (Matt. 10:15;
Luk. 23:34; John 19:11; I Tim. 1:13,15,16.19

The Personal Sin

Personal sins may be classified somewhat accurately by the familiar Biblical


terms employed in both the Old and New Testaments to designate them.
Transgression: which is the stepping to one side, or the overstepping of those
boundaries which God has marked off (Ps. 103:12).
Iniquity: referring to that which is altogether wrong (Ps. 38:18).
Error: that which disregards the right or goes astray (Pro. 19:2).
Sin: which is coming short, or missing the mark (Rom. 3:23).
Wickedness: The outworking and expression of an evil nature (Isa. 3:11).
18
Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 276.

19
Ibid., 277.
76

Evil: with reference to that which is actually wrong, opposing God (Ps. 34:21).
Ungodliness: lacking any worthy fear of God (2 Peter 3:9).
Disobedience: an unwillingness to be led or guided in ways of truth (Heb. 12:6).
Unbelief: failure to trust in God. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God”
(Heb. 11:13). Unbelief appears as the one and only “besetting sin,” which sin is universal.
Each person is characterized by his failure to believe in God (Heb. 12:1-2).
Lawlessness: which consists in the persistent contempt of divine law and a
breaking through all restraint to the end that self may be gratified regardless of divine
admonition (1 John 3:4).20

The Result of Sin

Spiritual death: Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. The penalty
proclaimed in Eden which has fallen upon the race is primarily this death of the soul
(Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:21; Eph. 2:1,5). By this man lost the knowledge of desire for God.
Because of this, he needs to be made alive from death (Luke 15:32; John; Eph. 2:5).21
The Sufferings of Life. The sufferings of life, which are the result of the entrance
of sin into the world, are also included in the penalty of sin. Sin brought disturbance in
the entire life of man. Like physical weaknesses, diseases, and agonizing pains; and his
mental life became subject to distressing disturbances, his very soul has become a
battlefield of conflicting thoughts, passions, and desires (Luke 13:2-3).22
Physical death: Physical death is the separation of soul and body. (Gen. 2:17;
Num. 16:29). The same thing is true in the New Testament (John 8:44; Rom. 4:24). The
body sleeps, awaiting the glories of the resurrection, and the soul, absent from the body,
enters consciously into the presence of the Lord Jesus.23
Eternal death: Eternal death is simply the culmination and completion of spiritual
death. It is the eternal separation of the soul from God, together with the accompanying

20
Chafer, Systematic Theology, 688.

21
Theissen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 195.

22
Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 185.

23
Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 195.
77

remorse and outward punishment (Matt. 10:28; Rev. l4:11). This matter is examined more
fully in our study of future things.24

Conclusion

The author has embarked on all types of man sins from the origin of sin to many
approaches regarding man's depravity such as the origin of sin comes from an angelic
being whom it’s called Lucifer or the Old Serpent who tempted humans where man
wilfully sinned by disobeying God Commands. In relation to the origin of sin, there is no
specific verse that says about angels’ sin in the Old Testament but even though Isaiah
spokes about Babylon's king and Ezekiel to the prince of Tyre during Israelite Exiled to
Babylon it refers to spiritual beings’ downfall because of pride, it is a metaphorical
speech. But in the New Testament Jesus stated in John 8:44 “Your father the devil” and
recognized by Pharisees as “Beelzebub” in Matthew 12:24. Therefore, angels must have
sinned in the heavenly realm which was confirmed by their appearance in Genesis 3:1
and Jude 6.
Although the term sin may be defined differently by different authors, one must
note that man is totally incapable of satisfying God or approaching God for his own
purpose. If a person does not believe in his total depravity, he is putting God as human
more or less, or God is the author of sin. It must be understood that God is Holy and man
are corrupted being, therefore without their righteousness they have no single nature that
can approach God but only through Christ. Hence, whatever is written is truly believed
by the author.

24
Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, 195.

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