Catechism Question 15
Then how did humans become sinful and guilty?
Our first father Adam sinned when he willfully disobeyed God. This fall has poisoned our nature so that we are born sinners, guilty before God, and since then we all choose to disobey God as well.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are showing the origin of our problem – the sin of Adam. Sin was not part of our design but came in through Adam’s willful disobedience.
Note that the sin is attributed to Adam, even though Eve actually violated God’s command first. This is because the Scripture universally attributes the fall and its effects to Adam – not to Eve. The Scripture does this because Adam was the head of the human race – not Eve. As our covenant head, it was Adam whose disobedience has plunged us all into sin, ruin, and despair.
Furthermore, note that Adam’s sin affected our nature. We are not born in the pristine state of Adam’s original creation. We are born with a sinful nature. This is known as original sin. Adam’s sin has an actual effect on our nature so that we are born guilty and with a propensity to sin. This is important because it shows the depth of our problem. It is not one of only external conduct – our very nature is poisoned by sin. The problem is radical – running to the very root and core of our being – and this will necessitate a radical solution.
Finally, note that we are not only sinners because of what Adam did. We are also sinners by our own conduct. We can not simply blame Adam. each of us has chosen to disobey God throughout our lives. We are sinners by nature and by choice.
Additional Questions:
Why did people become sinful?
Why are all of us sinful?
Why do we all do bad things?
How did sin enter into humanity and our world?
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:6
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. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 6:5
The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
Romans 5:12, 18-19
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned–…. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Psalm 51:5
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why did the sin of Adam lead to all humans being sinful?
What does it mean to say that Adam’s sin “poisoned our nature”? What does it mean to have a sinful nature?
When does the Scripture say we become sinful? Is it later in life, or from conception?
Are we sinners because we do sinful things? Or do we do sinful things because we already have a sinful nature? Or are we sinners both because of a sinful nature and because of our own choice to sin?
What does it mean that we receive guilt from Adam’s sin? How can his sin make us guilty? Why does Paul say we all ‘die’ in Adam? (Note carefully 1 Corinthians 15:22 and Romans 5:12-19, and how we receive guilt and death from Adam’s sin, and righteousness and life from Christ’s obedience. Both of these are imputed – placed on – us. If it is not true with Adam’s sin, then it can not be true with Christ’s obedience.)
Am I a sinner and guilty simply because of Adam’s sin, or have I also chosen to go astray myself?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 7 of the Heidelberg Catechism, questions 13 through 18 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 14 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Consequences of the Fall on Mankind” (April 22, 2007), “The Consequences of the Fall on Creation” (April 29, 2007), and “Christ – The Last Adam” (September 12, 2004).
Suggested Worship Song:
Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ (words by Horatius Bonar – 1857, music by John Darwall – 1770 [same tune used for Rejoice the Lord is King])
Thy works, not mine, O Christ, speak gladness to this heart;
They tell me all is done; they bid my fear depart.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
Thy pains, not mine, O Christ, upon the shameful tree,
Have paid the law’s full price and purchased peace for me.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
Thy cross, not mine, O Christ, has borne the awful load
Of sins that none in Heav’n or earth could bear but God.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
Thy death, not mine, O Christ, has paid the ransom due;
Ten thousand deaths like mine would have been all too few.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
Thy righteousness, O Christ, alone can cover me:
No righteousness avails save that which is of Thee.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?