Does Ezekiel 18 Refute the Original Sin Doctrine?

DOES EZEKIEL 18 REFUTE THE ORIGINAL SIN DOCTRINE? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

The original sin doctrine teaches that all people born after Adam share in his sinful condemnation. Critics of the original sin doctrine insist that Adam's fall only resulted in physical death and sin coming to men. They deny that Adam's sinfulness and guilt was imputed on his offspring. They insist that men are born innocent and only when they commit sin are they condemned. 

Ezekiel 18:20 says "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (NKJV). 

Critics of the original sin doctrine consider Ezekiel 18 as evidence that individual responsibility for sinful transgression cannot be transferred to the offspring of the offender. They insist that the text modifies the import of the original sin in Genesis 2-3. 

This view is gaining wide acceptance in sections of Western Christianity that insist that imputed sin and guilt is morally unfair and unjustified. The original sin doctrine has historically been recognized in leading Christian traditions including Roman Catholics, Conservative Baptists and the Reformed groups. 

While I agree with the view that God will hold a sinner guilty for sins they consciously commit, I disagree with the attempt to conflate Ezekiel 18 with the import of Adam's transgression in Genesis 3. The text of Ezekiel 18 is addressing a specific context in Israel's covenant life as a nation. 

My view is that Ezekiel 18 does not refute, amend or override the original sin doctrine taught in Genesis 3 and affirmed in several passages of Scripture including Psalm 51:5. My view is that men are born sinful and share in Adam's sin and guilt. Christ alone was born sinless. 

I am persuaded that Romans 5:12-21 clearly affirms and amplifies the original sin doctrine taught in Genesis 2-3. The impact of Adam's sin on humanity is beyond having a sinful nature. Scripture reveals that sin is imputed on the sinner right from conception (Genesis 2:16-17, 3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-21).  

Romans 5:18-19 says "Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous" (NKJV).

It is instructive that Scripture points to universal sinfulness and condemnation of men in Adam. It further notes the Christ, the New Adam, brought the cure for our sinfulness. 

The import of the argument by the critics of the original sin doctrine is to draw the regrettable conclusion that men are born sinless. This violates several passages of Scripture including John 3:16-17; Romans 3:23, 5:12-21 and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2024