Laestadius On The Doctrine Of Original Sin

12/09/2010

A Look At The Doctrine Of Original Sin

Here is a brief note from the Elder Laestadius concerning the scriptural doctrine of Original Sin. This truth deals with the evil nature of man, and if this knowledge is lacking, so will knowledge of Christ and grace be lacking. "The less the devil's power is brought forth in doctrine, the less urgent does natural man consider the salvation of his soul from the devil's power." The Voice Of One Crying In The Wilderness, pg 127.

Scripture says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” Rom. 5:12. We here learn that all descendants of Adam are born with sin, and so are spiritually dead. The last part of the sentence, “for that all have sinned,” proves this fact, because all who reach the age where spiritual fruit becomes evident, show by their own thoughts, words and deeds that they are sinners. A tree is known by its fruit, and a sapling, though showing no fruit, is nevertheless an evil tree for it can do nothing but bear evil fruit, and will in time prove its parentage.

Laestadius, in the Voice Of One Crying In The Wilderness, writes concerning this: “Secondly: Although the sin or evil which is in a child has not burst out, there is nevertheless in the newborn child the seed or inclination of the positive evil, which in the course of time can burst out. And this inclination or inherited sin is already a transgression against the Infinite Righteousness, Who has created man, even though not as one positively good - none is good save God - at least pure and sinless. Therefore the child is not only undeserving of all reward, since it has not done any good, but even though it has done nothing evil, it has nevertheless merited eternal condemnation on account of the “positive inclination“ toward evil; nor is there any help in this, that this little sinner defends itself, maintaining that a child is not responsible for inherited sin. For before God, all mankind is an evil and sinful mankind, whose sinfulness or guiltiness stems from Adam.” Pg. 129. So writes our Elder.

Steven E. Anderson