The Doctrine of Hamartiology
This doctrine deals with the origins of sin in man, as well as the effect sin has had upon mankind. Therefore this doctrine is the theology of sin.
The Definition of Sin
Sin is: [1]
1. Sin is the transgression of the law of God (Rom. 3:23; 4:15; 5:14; Gal.3:19).
2. Sin is a failure to reach or conform to God’s standard (Rom. 3:23; 14:23).
3. Sin is wrongful acts toward God and man (Rom. 1:18; Exod. 20:1-17);
4. Sin is a principle or the natural nature of man today (Rom. 7:14-15; Gal. 3:22; John 9:41; 15:24; 19:11).
5. Sin is rebellion against God (1 John 3:4; Titus 2:14; Matt. 24:12)
The Origin of Sin
The origin of sin was first found in Satan when he through pride saw himself equal with God (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28; 1 Tim. 3:6). Then in the Garden Satan deceived Eve to disobey God and to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3). Yet while Eve was deceived Adam willingly chose to sin just as Satan had done before (Gen. 3:6)
The Effect Sin
The effect of the fall:
1. That while Adam was created in the image of God we now are begotten in the image of our father. Therefore the sin nature is passed from parent to children. (Gen. 5:3; Ps. 51:5).
2. The guilt of sin is placed upon all persons who remain apart from Christ. This is the doctrine of the imputation of sin in which we were all seminally present in Adam at the fall of man (Rom. 5:12-21; Heb. 7:9-10).
3. All have committed acts of sins themselves (Rom. 3:23) and as a result we are all sinners by nature and by conduct.
4. Man is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13) and also awaits his physical death.
5. Man does not know God (Gal. 4:8); he has no gratitude towards God (Rom. 1:21); he has no desire for God (Rom. 3:11); he has no love for God (1 Jn. 4:10); he has no faith in God (Jn. 3:18); he has no fear of God (Rom. 3:18); he does not worship God (Rom. 1:21-25); he resists the truth (2 Tim. 3:8); he receives not the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14); he rejects the truth of God (2 Thess. 2:12); he disobeys God’s gospel (2 Thess. 1:8); he is an enemy of God (Rom. 5:10); his intellect is blinded (2 Cor. 4:4); and he is reprobate in actions and in thoughts (Rom. 1:28).
As a result of the nature of sin and the affect upon man we are unable to live a life of righteousness and therefore justly deserve eternal judgment by a Holy God. Thus one must conclude that it is only be the grace of God that salvation is even possible.
This doctrine deals with the origins of sin in man, as well as the effect sin has had upon mankind. Therefore this doctrine is the theology of sin.
The Definition of Sin
Sin is: [1]
1. Sin is the transgression of the law of God (Rom. 3:23; 4:15; 5:14; Gal.3:19).
2. Sin is a failure to reach or conform to God’s standard (Rom. 3:23; 14:23).
3. Sin is wrongful acts toward God and man (Rom. 1:18; Exod. 20:1-17);
4. Sin is a principle or the natural nature of man today (Rom. 7:14-15; Gal. 3:22; John 9:41; 15:24; 19:11).
5. Sin is rebellion against God (1 John 3:4; Titus 2:14; Matt. 24:12)
The Origin of Sin
The origin of sin was first found in Satan when he through pride saw himself equal with God (Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28; 1 Tim. 3:6). Then in the Garden Satan deceived Eve to disobey God and to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3). Yet while Eve was deceived Adam willingly chose to sin just as Satan had done before (Gen. 3:6)
The Effect Sin
The effect of the fall:
1. That while Adam was created in the image of God we now are begotten in the image of our father. Therefore the sin nature is passed from parent to children. (Gen. 5:3; Ps. 51:5).
2. The guilt of sin is placed upon all persons who remain apart from Christ. This is the doctrine of the imputation of sin in which we were all seminally present in Adam at the fall of man (Rom. 5:12-21; Heb. 7:9-10).
3. All have committed acts of sins themselves (Rom. 3:23) and as a result we are all sinners by nature and by conduct.
4. Man is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13) and also awaits his physical death.
5. Man does not know God (Gal. 4:8); he has no gratitude towards God (Rom. 1:21); he has no desire for God (Rom. 3:11); he has no love for God (1 Jn. 4:10); he has no faith in God (Jn. 3:18); he has no fear of God (Rom. 3:18); he does not worship God (Rom. 1:21-25); he resists the truth (2 Tim. 3:8); he receives not the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14); he rejects the truth of God (2 Thess. 2:12); he disobeys God’s gospel (2 Thess. 1:8); he is an enemy of God (Rom. 5:10); his intellect is blinded (2 Cor. 4:4); and he is reprobate in actions and in thoughts (Rom. 1:28).
As a result of the nature of sin and the affect upon man we are unable to live a life of righteousness and therefore justly deserve eternal judgment by a Holy God. Thus one must conclude that it is only be the grace of God that salvation is even possible.
[1] This list is taken from the Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns pg. 310.
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