Introduction
We continue our discussion from Unit 7 with a focus on hamartiology — the doctrine of sin. Western Christian thought tends to emphasize a concept of “original sin,” in which all humanity in some way participates in the sin of Adam. Eastern Christian thought does not share this precise emphasis, but the Eastern Church Fathers did recognize that, from its foundations in Adam, humanity has always been been prone to sin.
The notion of humanity’s “original,” shared, or universal sinfulness relates importantly to the theological theme of “grace.” In both Western and Eastern conceptions of our salvation, we need God to reach out to us. We cannot achieve our own salvation in some way prior to or without God’s grace.
Further, in both Western and Eastern Christian thought, human sinfulness somehow seriously impacts all of creation. The “fall” of Adam is connected with death, decay, and disorder throughout the cosmos.
How do we relate a concept of original, shared, or universal sinfulness to the long history of human evolution? How can human sin connect to millions of years of death throughout the history of life on Earth prior to the advent of anatomically modern humans? Are suffering and death necessary for life? Although early Christian thinkers did not know about biological evolution, we will see that many of them did reflect on broader metaphysical implications of sin and death. The death and resurrection of Christ, the true Adam, disclose to us the meaning of these Biblical and theological themes.
Reading
McGrath, Chapter 6
Ratzinger, Third Homily and Fourth Homily