“A Short Defense of Imputation”

“Am I Really Condemned for the Sin of Another?”

C Michael Patton presents a brilliant summary of the doctrine of imputation. He quotes: "Perhaps John Calvin defines Original Sin most concisely as “The deprivation of a nature formerly good and pure.” More specifically, from a Reformed Evangelical perspective, it refers to the fall of humanity from its original state of innocence and purity to a state of corruption and guilt (distinguished later). It is the cause of man’s translation from a state of unbroken communion before God to one of spiritual death and condemnation. The term “Original Sin” is not found in Scripture; Saint Augustine coined it in the 4th century. The primary passage used to defend the doctrine of Original Sin is Romans 5:12-21".

Three types of sin:

• Personal Sin: Sins committed by the individual. All people have personal sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10)

• Inherited Sin: The physical and spiritual corruption which produces a bent and inclination toward sin and a natural enmity toward God (Eph. 2:3; John 8:44; Jer. 13:23; Ps. 51:5). This sin is mediated (inherited) directly from our parents.

• Imputed Sin: God’s immediate declaration of guilt to every individual for the sin of Adam. This sin is “imputed” (or credited) to all people as if they had committed the sin.

He covers a summary of where the traditions fall with regards to these three.

• Reformed Evangelicals:

• Arminians:

• Catholics:

• Orthodox:

Finally, a short History of Original Sin

• Pelagianism

• Arminians

• Augustinianism

• Federalism

Romans 5:12-21

This comparison is between two things:

1. The effects of Adam’s sin
2. The effects of Christ’s righteousness

Through Adams Sin | Through Christ’s Righteousness
Judgment (16) Free gift (16)
Condemnation (16) Justification (16)
Death Reigned (17) Life Reigned (17)
One Transgression=Condemnation of all (18) One Act of Righteousness=Justification of all (18)
Adam’s disobedience=many were made sinners (19) Christ’s obedience=many were made righteous (19)