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Bonhoeffer's Assassination Attempt and Just War Theory

Original sin is a theological doctrine that describes the corrupted spiritual state of humanity resulting from the fall of Adam and Eve, affecting all subsequent generations [7]. This concept is foundational to understanding human nature and the need for salvation in both Catholic and Reformed traditions.

In the Catholic tradition, Thomas Aquinas defines original sin as a privation of original justice, which is the supernatural gift of grace that humanity lost through Adam's transgression [4]. This loss resulted in a disordered state of human nature, characterized by concupiscence, which is an inclination toward sin [4, 11]. Concupiscence is not itself a sin in the same way that a deliberate act of sin is, but rather a lingering effect of original sin that makes individuals prone to evil [4]. Aquinas explains that original sin primarily affects the essence of the soul and subsequently influences the powers of the soul, including the will, leading to an inclination towards sin [12]. While original sin is inherited, it is distinct from actual sins committed by individuals [2]. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that God's revelation, culminating in Christ Jesus, is the means by which humanity can overcome the effects of original sin [10].

Reformed theology, as articulated by John Calvin and Charles Hodge, also emphasizes the pervasive impact of Adam's sin on all humanity. Calvin states that Adam's sin rendered humanity "obnoxious to the justice of God," meaning that all are subject to God's judgment due to this inherited corruption [6]. He describes the devil as stirring up strife and war to overthrow God's kingdom, indicating the profound depravity that results from sin [1]. This depravity is not merely a tendency but a fundamental corruption of human nature, making it impossible for individuals to perform works that are "absolutely pure" [9]. Calvin argues that even one sin is sufficient to "efface and extinguish all remembrance of former righteousness" [9]. However, Calvin also stresses God's clemency and willingness to grant pardon, citing examples like Peter's denial of Christ [8].

Charles Hodge, a prominent Old Princeton theologian, further elaborates on the Reformed understanding of original sin, stating that it includes three main aspects: the guilt of Adam's first sin, the loss of original righteousness, and the corruption of the entire human nature [3]. This corruption, often referred to as original sin itself, encompasses all the "subjective evil consequences of the apostasy of our first parent" [3]. Hodge emphasizes that the imputation of Adam's guilt precedes spiritual depravity, meaning that humanity is condemned for Adam's sin before experiencing its corrupting effects [5]. one tradition notes that the belief in the injurious effects of Adam's sin on his posterity is a shared conviction across the Christian world, though the specifics of its nature and extent have been subjects of ongoing discussion [7]. The corruption of human nature means that individuals are born with a bias towards evil, turning away from God and towards created things [11].

Sources

  1. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: minds of men he involves in error; he stirs up hatred, inflames strife and war, and all in order that he may overthrow the kingdom of God, and drown men in eternal perdition with himself. Hence it is evident that his whole nature is depraved, mischievous, and malignant. There must be extreme depravity in a mind bent on assailing the glory of God and the salvation of man. This is intimated by John in his Epistle, when he says that he “sinneth from the beginning,” ( 1 John 3:8 ), implying that he is the author, leader, and contriver ”
  2. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Return of Sins Which Have Been Taken Away by Penance, Art. 1: Article: Whether sins once forgiven return through a subsequent sin? I answer that, As stated above (Question [86], Article [4]), mortal sin contains two things, aversion from God and adherence to a created good. Now, in mortal sin, whatever attaches to the aversion, is, considered in itself, common to all mortal sins, since man turns away from God by every mortal sin, so that, in consequence, the stain resulting from the privation of grace, and the debt of everlasting puni”
  3. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 50: § 13. Original Sin. The effects of Adam’s sin upon his posterity are declared in our standards to be, (1.) The guilt of his first sin. (2.) The loss of original righteousness. (3.) The corruption of our whole nature, which ( i.e. , which corruption), is commonly called original sin. Commonly, but not always. Not unfrequently by original sin is meant all the subjective evil consequences of the apostasy of our first parent, and it therefore includes all three of the particulars just mentioned. The National Synod of France, therefore, condem”
  4. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of Original Sin, As to Its Essence, Art. 3: Article: Whether original sin is concupiscence? I answer that, Everything takes its species from its form: and it has been stated (Article [2]) that the species of original sin is taken from its cause. Consequently the formal element of original sin must be considered in respect of the cause of original sin. But contraries have contrary causes. Therefore the cause of original sin must be considered with respect to the cause of original justice, which is opposed to it. Now the ”
  5. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 47: to this punishment as having sinned (so it is implied) in that one man’s sin. And it is repeated, over and over, that all are condemned, many are dead, many made sinners, etc., by one man’s offence, by the disobedience of one, and by one offence.” 211 211 Original Sin, III. i.; Works, vol. ii. p. 512. As guilt precedes punishment, if, as Edwards says, depravity or spiritual death is a punishment, then the imputation of the guilt of Adam’s first sin precedes depravity, and is not consequent upon it. This is the current representation throu”
  6. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: by God, to whom nothing is acceptable but righteousness, innocence, and purity. This is not liability for another’s fault. For when it is said, that the sin of Adam has made us obnoxious to the justice of God, the meaning is not, that we, who are in ourselves innocent and blameless, are bearing his guilt, but that since by his transgression we are all placed under the curse, he is said to have brought us under obligation. 146 146 The French is, “Car en ce qui est d’t, que par Adam nous sommes fait redevables au jugement de Dieu, ce”
  7. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 45: § 8. The Effects of Adam’s Sin upon his Posterity. That the sin of Adam injured not himself only but also all descending from him by ordinary generation, is part of the faith of the whole Christian world. The nature and extent of the evil thus entailed upon his race, and the ground or reason of the descendants of Adam being involved in the evil consequences of his transgression, have ever been matter of diversity and discussion. As to both of these points the common Augustinian doctrine is briefly stated in the Symbols of our Church. Acco”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 83: 3:4; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10 ), let us not doubt that the clemency of our heavenly Father, instead of being cut off or curtailed, is in much greater exuberance. Nor are proofs of this wanting. Peter, who had heard our Saviour declare that he who did not confess his name before men would be denied before the angels of God, denied him thrice in one night, and not without execration; yet he is not denied pardon ( Mark 8:38 ). Those who lived disorderly among the Thessalonians, though chastised, are still invited to repentance ( 2 Thess. 3:6 ).”
  9. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 69: possible for us to perform works absolutely pure, yet one sin is sufficient to efface and extinguish all remembrance of former righteousness, as the prophet says ( Ezek. 18:24 ). With this James agrees, “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, is guilty of all,” ( James 2:10 ). And since this mortal life is never entirely free from the taint of sin, whatever righteousness we could acquire would ever and anon be corrupted, overwhelmed, and destroyed, by subsequent sins, so that it could not stand the scrutin”
  10. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 24. (part 1): 24. 20 Cf. DV 3. 21 Dt 28: 10; Roman Missal, Good i Friday, General Intercession VI; see also Ex 19:6 22 Cf. Is 2:2-4; Jer 31:31-34; Heb 10:16 23 Cf. Ezek 36; Is 49:5-6; 53:11 24 Cf. Ezek 2:3; Lk 1:38 Previous - NextCopyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText HelpCatechism of the Catholic Church IntraText - TextPART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITHSECTION ONE "I BELIEVE" - "WE BELIEVE"CHAPTER TWO GOD COMES TO MEET MANArticle 1 THE REVELATION OF GODIII. Christ Jesus -- "Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation"Pr”
  11. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 43: relation to the same subject. Some by concupiscence mean simply the sexual instinct; others, what belongs to our sensuous nature in general; others, everything in man which has the seen and temporal for its object; and others still, for the wrong bias of the soul, by which, being averse to God, it turns to the creature and to evil. Everything depends therefore on the sense in which the word is taken, when it is said that original sin consists, positively considered, in concupiscence. If by concupiscence is meant merely our sensuous nature”
  12. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Subject of Original Sin, Art. 3: Article: Whether original sin infects the will before the other powers? I answer that, Two things must be considered in the infection of original sin. First, its inherence to its subject; and in this respect it regards first the essence of the soul, as stated above (Article [2]). In the second place we must consider its inclination to act; and in this way it regards the powers of the soul. It must therefore regard first of all that power in which is seated the first inclination to”
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