The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q14-19) is Original Sin. (see Harmony Index)
WSC Q18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
Professor John Murray wrote that, “Scripture attaches great importance to knowledge and gives a foremost place to the mind and understanding. Ignorance and error are the effects of the fall and it is upon them that Satan’s kingdom is built. Knowledge and truth are the grand weapons by which it is overthrown and Christ’s kingdom is established in the individual and the world” (quoted in Rediscovering Catechism by Donald Van Dyken, P&R Press).
In his book, Donald Van Dyken further comments, “Satan’s kingdom seems to erupt and spread everywhere. A few examples are the disarray in marriages and families and the worldly living and the ungodly pleasures that characterize not only the world, but so often the church. The contemporary situation mirrors what the prophet Hosea saw: ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge’ (Hos. 4:6).”
The comments above are a fitting backdrop for the study below. Again, we need to pray that God would bless our studies in the Word and the confessions of the Church, to our growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him alone be all the praise, honor, and glory forever, Amen.
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q18
Illustrations by John Whitecross – The beginning of the Emperor Nero’s reign was marked by acts of the greatest kindness and condescension-by affability, complaisance, and popularity. The object of his administration seemed to be the good of his people; and when he was desired to sign his name to a list of malefactors that were to be executed, he exclaimed, ‘I wish to heaven I could not write!’ He was an enemy to flattery; and when the senate had liberally commended the wisdom of his government, Nero desired them to keep their praises till he deserved them. Yet this was the wretch who assassinated his mother, set fire to Rome, and destroyed multitudes of men, women, and children, throwing the odium of that dreadful action on the Christians. The cruelties he exercised towards them were beyond description. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?’ (Jer. 17.9).
John Whitecross – 1828
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WSC Q18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin[a], the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin[b]; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it[c].
[a] Rom. 5:12, 19; I Cor. 15:22
[b] Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 8:7,8; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-20; Ps. 51: 5; 58:3
[c] Matt. 15:19; James 1:14-15
Question #18 asks what is sinful about man’s fallen condition, and answers that the sinfulness of that fallen condition is twofold. First, in what is commonly called original sin, there is the guilt of Adam’s first sin with its lack of original righteousness and the corruption of his whole nature, and second, are all the specific acts of disobedience that come from original sin.
Comments and considerations:
Question #18 could be rendered, what is so sinful about man’s fallen condition? Since sin was earlier defined as any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law God, the answer might incorporate that definition of sin: For example, man’s fallen condition is sinful due to his failure to conform to God’s commands (law and intent), resulting in the loss of original righteousness and the corruption of his original nature, and including all the actual violations that proceed from breaking the law and purposes of God. We can see how this tragic fall from grace led to such sin-filled consequences that affected original righteousness, corrupted human nature’s every aspect, and alienated man’s wondrous communion with his God. The question is asking about the extent of original sin. If you think about it, all of history, subsequent to that moment in time that our first parents succumbed to the temptation to “be like God, determining for themselves what is good or evil” (Gen 3:5), shows the extent of the sinfulness which began with Adam’s fall. We see it in history, throughout time and place, and in human nature from which we derive the doctrine of total depravity.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary contained a stand-alone definition for “sinfulness”: 1. The quality of being sinful or contrary to the divine will; wickedness; iniquity; criminality; as the sinfulness of an action; the sinfulness of thoughts or purposes; 2. Wickedness; corruption; depravity; as the sinfulness of men or of the human race. However, in later and more modern editions this definition is not found; in fact we find the word listed as a noun in the context of the word “sinful,” with some rather weak definitions like, 1. Tainted with, marked by, or full of sin: wicked; 2. Such as to make one feel guilty <a sinful chocolate cake>. Somehow I don’t think these later definitions fit the reality of the temporal and eternal implications of the fall. Let’s consider man’s condition and the unintended consequences that our first parent’s sin brought upon their posterity by reviewing just a few of the references associated with the question:
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:19).
“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one’” (Rom. 3:10).
“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19).
We must not conclude our meditation with only the thoughts above. We must learn the lessons of repentance and faith as we understand daily conflicts and their source (Gen 3:15). We must teach them to our children, generation unto generation, so that we do not lose a true sense of the sinfulness of sin, and of the human condition of total depravity. Truly, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:9-10). In that same context Jeremiah says, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited’” (Jer. 17: 5-6).
But he didn’t stop there; nor did our Heavenly Father when our first parents failed in their faith and obedience. Both the curse in the garden, and the curse pronounced by Jeremiah, is followed by a promise of redemption. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8). “Though [we] fall, [we] shall not be utterly cast down” (Ps. 37:24). Redemption from their folly that lead all the world into sin and despair was true for our first parents; and it is equally true for all who heed the word of truth and follow in faith, repentance, and obedience.
Training Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
- There are various views regarding the nature of man, especially regarding the reason we act in certain ways. Many believe that people are born good, that every human being if just left alone or rightly educated would always act kindly, with love, never doing anything wrong. The Bible provides a different explanation for the so-called dilemma of sinful behavior. Read Ps. 58:3 and Matt. 15:18-19. What two things described here determine man’s sinful nature, thoughts, and actions? (1)
- We are guilty before God because of what we do and what we are. “Original sin” means the guilt we are born with, and in addition, our inability to act righteously. As such, what do we lack that Adam actually possessed when he was created? See Ps. 14:2-3 and Is. 64:6. (2)
- To what extent did the fall affect man’s nature? 1Cor 2:14; John 3:19; John 5:39-40. (3)
- Because of the true nature of our condition, what hope have we in this life apart from God’s saving grace? See Jer. 13: 23.
- We live out the truth of our nature every day in the way we live our lives (see Rom. 3:10-18). Though this may not be pleasant to dwell on, why is it important to know this, and what provision has God provided for those he loves? See I John 1:5 – 2:1.
Answers:
1- We are sinful because of what we are on the inside and because of what we do on the outside. Not only do we do things that are sinful, we are sinful. The reason we sin on the outside is that we are sinners on the inside. The Bible says that because of the fall, all people are born sinful on the inside; all of us are sinners; none are naturally good. We sin because we are sinful.
2- Answer: “original righteousness” as he was created in “knowledge, righteousness, and holiness” (see WSC Q10), yet finite and untested, without sin yet not without the ability not to sin.
3- Answer: Every part of human nature was affected: Body, Mind (thinking and reason), Heart (feelings, emotions, and relation towards others), and Will.
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q# 18, WLC Q# 25-26 & WCF VI. IV&V
WSC Q18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin[a], the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin[b]; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it[c].
[a] Rom. 5:12,19; 1Cor. 15:22.
[b] Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 8:7,8; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-20; Psa. 51:5; 58:3.
[c] Matt. 15:19; James 1:14-15.
WLC Q25. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin[a], the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually[b]; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions[c].
[a] Rom. 5:12,19; 1Cor. 15:22.
[b] Rom. 3:10-20, 5:6, 8:7-8; Eph. 2:1-3; Gen. 6:5; Psa. 51:5, 58:3.
[c] Jam. 1:14-15; Matt. 15:19
WLC Q26. How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
A. Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin[a].
[a] Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; John 3:6.
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH
CHAPTER. VI.
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the
Punishment thereof.
IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil[a], do proceed all actual transgressions[b].
[a] Rom. 5:6; Rom. 7:18; Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21; John 3:6; Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:10,11,12.
[b] James 1:14-15; Matt. 15:19.
V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated[a]; and although it be, through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin[b].
[a] Prov. 20:9; Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 17-18, 21-23; I John 1:8, 10; James 3:2
[b] Rom. 7:5,7,8, and 25.
Questions for further study:
The large catechism expands on the instruction found in the shorter, delivering among other things, the truth regarding how sin is conveyed to Adam’s posterity. The confession does likewise, but also conveys what instruction of hope for those in Christ?
