Original Sin

Original Sin

Find the Best Brands at Best Buy

Original…as in Original Sin
Adam and Eve sin at the onset of the Bible. Their sin is what leads us here today, in a world merging good and evil, saint and sinner. Historians and religious practitioners have tried to explain the presence of evil on earth for decades. Their explanations run off in numerous directions, eventually exploring the theory of the “Original Sin.” Original sin is recognized in all three monotheistic religions, however each religion justifies the act in a different way. With the use of historians, angels, and demons, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have all come up with various answers as to what the Original Sin really is.

Let us begin with the discussion of what evil is according to the three religions. In monotheism, the presence of evil greatly clashes with the all-good God that has created this Earth and living creatures. In the Bible, demons are brought up several times, however it is only in later passages that the function of an actual Satan is mentioned. The use of satan is used as a noun to represent an adversary. Jews do not believe in an embodiment of evil, therefore they have downplayed the role of a Satan.

In the New Testament, Satan is an active agent who temps Jesus to commit a variety of sins. Christians believe Satan is a fallen angel gone bad, and was cast out of the heavens. He resided on Earth where he was not evil, however chose the option to sin, similar to Adam and Eve. According to the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215, “The devil and the other demons were indeed created by God good by nature, but they became bad through themselves; man however, sinned at the suggestion of the devil.” Therefore, humans are able to repent and redeem themselves, whereas Satan and his followers are not. They are forever cast on Earth, and they choose to tempt humans into sinning. The presence of evil in Christianity is constant.

The Quran focuses mostly on one demonic angle, similar to Christianity. Satan however, is referred to in the name of Iblis. Iblis is considered, “one of the jinn,” (Quran 18:50), indicating that he is somewhat sinister, possessing preternatural powers of good and evil. He is not Satan however, but another figure capable of tempting evil. The first incident proving the evil in Iblis is in the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Remember, when We asked the angels to bow in homage to Adam they all bowed but Iblis, who disdained and turned insolent, and so became a disbeliever.” (Quran 2:29-37) This fallen angel has the power to lead astray humans, however Muslims up to this day do not know whether he really is an angel or a jinn. Iblis even has a special section in Hell for him and his followers, that of the fourth section. Hence, the presence of evil on Earth is still questionable to Muslims. As long as they are devout, they will not be tempted. Iblis, however, remains on Earth until the Last Judgment.

The act of the Original Sin is extremely similar in all three religions. Christians accepted Genesis as scripture, so their account of the creation is identical with that of the Jews. Eve is the one to commit the actual act of picking the fruit off the tree. Satan was cast as a serpent in the tree, compelling Eve to eat the fruit in order to become a ‘divine being who knows good and bad.’ “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” (Genesis 3:6-17) Therefore, Jews and Christians put emphasis that Eve is the sinner who misused the Garden of Eden. Muslims however, leave a more vague description about who exactly picked the fruit. "And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them” (Quran 7:19-23) The constant use of ‘they’ and ‘them’ rather than ‘she’ is indicative that the Muslims placed the blame squarely on both Adam and Eve. However, all three religions believe in an almost identical Original Sin, that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

It is the consequences of the Original Sin that causes differences amongst Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Judaism, man is believed to be capable of both good and evil. Jews recognize the potential of an “evil impulse,” which can lead to sin, however they also recognize a “good impulse.” It is their duty to surpass the state of evil and reach a state of perfection in which even Adam was not able to achieve.

Christians however, believe that the Original Sin is the seed of sin that will forever be upon mankind. All humans are inclined to sin in their lifetime. “It was through one man that sin entered the world, and through sin death, and thus death pervaded the whole human race inasmuch as all men have sinned.” (Paul, to the Romans 5:12) Paul connected the disobedience of Adam to result in a human race of sinners. This notion of hereditary sin appeared in Augustine’s work as well. “And thus from the bad use of free will there originated a whole series of evils, which with its train of miseries conducts the human race from its depraved origin.” (Augustine, City of God 13.13-14) Even with the belief that Jesus paid off the debt to God by sacrificing his life and lifting the consequences of Original Sin, humankind are still inclined to sin, according to the New Testament.

Furthermore, Muslims do not believe in the Original sin as playing a role in today’s society." On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns."(Quran 2:286) Islam believes that Adam prayed for forgiveness, and was redeemed. Each religion has its own take on the consequences of Original Sin, and Christianity evidently has the most pessimistic view of the capabilities of humankind.

Therefore, the act of the Original Sin has stemmed into so many different interpretations leading Judaism, Christianity and Islam to each have different sets of beliefs. The presence of evil on Earth however, does not exempt any believer from committing sins. It is there to tempt the vulnerable, and optimistically to strengthen the true believers.

Disclaimer

The above essay merely states opinions by a college student. However, if you feel strong about responding to the opinions stated, please write to articles@directorym.com and express your concerns.



Educational Content
Home