Science in Christian Perspective

Letter to the Editor 

Original Sin
J. Oliver Buswell, Jr.

From: JASA 15 (December 1963): 122.

One of the besetting sins of scientists is the ignoring of related fields of study . . . .

The "Pauline theologians" (p. 26, re: Dobzhansky) do not teach a doctrine of original sin which is in any way dependent upon the idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics. The key reference is Romans 5:12-21. Paul teaches that the original sin of Adam is logically parallel to the atonement of Christ. Competent theologians, Charles Hodge, e.g., understand this passage to imply a representative principle such as many of us recognize in all socia I ' as well as individual, ethics.

I gave considerable space to the history of the doctrine of original sin in Vol. I of my Systematics, and there will be more in the second volume (related to the atonement) to be published this year. But Hodge's Systematics (1871), not my work, should have answered this question.