Systematic Theology Outline (IX) — Doctrine of Sin (Harmartiology)

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Chapter 8: The Doctrine of Sin

I. Overview

A. The Dilemma Concerning Sin (Theodicy)

Premise 1: If God is omnipotent, He can prevent evil.
Premise 2: If God is all-good, He would want to prevent evil.
Conclusion: Therefore, if God is both omnipotent and all-good, evil should not exist.
Premise 3: Yet evil exists in the world.
Conclusion: Therefore, an omnipotent and all-good God does not exist.

(Where does this reasoning go wrong?)

B. Common False Theories About Sin

  • Illusionism: Sin is merely a human illusion caused by ignorance or misunderstanding.
  • Dualism: Good and evil are two eternal opposing realities, either arising from the same source or existing in eternal conflict.
  • Finitism: God created a finite universe; sin is an inevitable result of this finitude, and God is powerless to eliminate it.
  • Sadism: God is omnipotent but not good—He either delights in or is indifferent to evil.
  • Determinism: God inevitably created a world in which evil would arise.
  • Impossiblism: God is omnipotent and good but cannot foresee the future; He cannot eliminate evil without violating human free will.
  • Atheism: The existence of moral evil proves that the God described in Scripture does not exist.
  • Free Will View: Evil originates from the free choice of creatures and is not determined or caused externally; therefore, God is not responsible for human sin.
  • Character-Building View: Suffering and evil are necessary means of moral and spiritual growth.

II. The Nature of Sin

A. Biblical Descriptions of Sin

  • Sin is a moral transgression of rational beings—not merely passive behavior.
  • No one is a “partial sinner” in God’s sight.
  • All sin ultimately opposes God and His will.
  • Sin involves objective guilt.
  • Sin is an inherent moral corruption.
  • Sin originates in the human heart.
  • Sin is a state as well as an act.
  • Sin means “missing the mark.”
  • Sin means “transgression,” crossing a boundary.
  • Sin also includes crookedness, incompleteness, and rebellion.

B. Definition of Sin

Sin is any form of moral imperfection—active or passive—in relation to God’s moral law, whether in deed, thought, disposition, or state.

C. Inner Root of Sin

The corruption of the human heart:
James 1:14; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 5:27–28; 15:19–20; Luke 6:45; Hebrews 3:12.

D. Universality of Sin

  • All people are sinners: Romans 3:23; Psalm 130:3; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8; Isaiah 53:6; Proverbs 20:9; James 3:2.
  • All people are sinners at all times: Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:12–14; Genesis 8:21.

E. The Seriousness of Sin

  • Sin brought judgment and death to all humankind (Rom. 5:12; Gen. 3:17–19).
  • Sin brings guilt before a holy God (James 2:10).
  • Sin results in eternal death (Rom. 6:23).
  • Sin required the sacrificial death of God’s Son (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 2:2).

F. The Motives of Sin

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

III. The Origin of Sin

A. God Is Not the Author of Sin

Genesis 18:25; Exodus 15:11; Leviticus 11:44–45; Job 34:10; Isaiah 6:3; John 8:46; Romans 9:14; Revelation 4:8.

B. Satan and Demons as the Source of Evil

Genesis 3:1–7; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 13:11–16; John 6:44; Revelation 12:9; 16:17.
Satan is a fallen angel (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Luke 8:31; 10:18; Rev. 12:3–9).
He is the ruler of demons (Matt. 12:24–26; 25:41; Eph. 6:10–13).

C. The Fall of Satan

Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:11–19.

IV. The Fall of Man

A. Man’s Original State

  • Created in glory and honor (Gen. 1:27).
  • Given dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26–28).
  • Provided with abundant provision (Gen. 1:29–30).
  • Enjoyed intimate fellowship with God (Gen. 2:8, 15–17).
  • Blessed with perfect marriage (Gen. 2:21–25).
  • Lived in a perfect environment (Gen. 2:8–14).

B. The Fall

  • Satan tempted Eve to doubt God’s word and goodness (Gen. 3:1–5).
  • Eve failed to use God’s Word to resist temptation and altered it instead.
  • Desire was conceived: the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom (Gen. 3:6).
  • Sinful action followed: unbelief, greed, and pride.
  • Adam and Eve ate the fruit and fell (Gen. 3:6–7).

C. Adam’s Responsibility

  • Lost his leadership (1 Tim. 2:12–13).
  • Was present when Eve sinned (Gen. 3:6).
  • Sinned knowingly (1 Tim. 2:14).
  • God held Adam accountable (Rom. 5:12–14; 1 Cor. 15:21–22).

D. Consequences of the Fall

  • Fellowship with God broken (Gen. 3:7–10).
  • Human nature corrupted (Rom. 5:12).
  • Need for redemption (Gen. 3:15).
  • Toil, pain, and resistance in life (Gen. 3:16–19).
  • Barred from the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).
  • Physical and spiritual death (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23).

E. Judgment Resulting from the Fall

  • On the serpent (Gen. 3:14).
  • On Satan (Gen. 3:15).
  • On the woman (Gen. 3:16).
  • On the man (Gen. 3:17–19).
  • On all humanity (Rom. 5:12).
  • On creation itself (Rom. 8:22).

V. Original Sin and Its Imputation

A. Definition

Original sin is the inherited state of guilt and corruption from Adam, rendering humanity unable to do good and inclined toward evil.

B. Aspects of Original Sin

  • Total Depravity: Adam’s sin has permeated every aspect of human nature.
    It does not mean:
    1. People are as wicked as possible.
    2. They have no knowledge of God.
    3. They lose moral conscience.
    4. They are incapable of natural or social good.
    5. Everyone commits every kind of evil.
    It does mean:
    1. Corruption affects every part of human nature.
    2. In relation to God, humans are utterly unable to do good.
  • Total Inability:
    Apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, humans are incapable of turning to God or freeing themselves from sin’s dominion.
    (John 1:13; 3:3; 15:4–5; Rom. 7:17–18; 8:7–8; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1.)
  • Inherited Guilt:
    All humans are born guilty in Adam; guilt can only be removed when God’s justice is satisfied through Christ (Rom. 5:12–19).

C. Theories of Imputation

  • Federal Headship (Covenantal View):
    Adam represented all humanity in the covenant of works; his disobedience brought sin and death to all. (Gen. 2:15–17; Rom. 5:12–19.)
  • Realistic or Seminal View:
    All humanity was physically present “in Adam,” sharing in his act of sin. (Heb. 7:9–10; Rom. 5:12.)

VI. The Christian and Sin

A. The Possibility of Sin for Believers

  • Believers still struggle with sin (Rom. 7:17–21; Gal. 5:16–21).
  • Scripture warns Christians not to sin (Eph. 4:26; 1 John 2:1, 15).
  • Examples of sinning believers (1 Cor. 5:1–2; Gal. 2:11–14; Acts 5:1–11).
  • No believer is sinless (1 John 1:8–10).

B. Consequences When a Believer Sins

  • Standing before God remains unchanged: forgiveness (Rom. 8:1), salvation (Rom. 6:23), Christ’s atonement covers all sin (1 Cor. 15:3), still a child of God (1 John 3:2).
  • Fellowship and spiritual vitality are damaged: Heb. 12:6–10; Eph. 4:30; Rev. 3:19; John 15:4.
  • Heavenly rewards may be lost: 1 Cor. 3:12–17; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 John 2:28.

C. The Christian and Satan

  • Satan is real (John 12:31; Rev. 12:9; 1 Pet. 5:8).
  • He tempts believers to sin—through lies (Acts 5:3), immorality (1 Cor. 7:5), worldliness (1 John 2:15–17), pride (1 Tim. 3:6).
  • He accuses believers (Rev. 12:10; Job 1–2).
  • He hinders Christian service (1 Thess. 2:18).
  • He persecutes believers (2 Cor. 12:7).
  • He sows false teachers and division (Matt. 13:38–39; 2 Cor. 11:13–15).

Victory over Satan:

  1. Christ triumphed at the cross (Col. 2:13–15).
  2. Christ lives in believers (1 John 4:4).
  3. Believers must submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7).
  4. Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10–18).

D. The Christian and the World

  • “The world” means the evil system under Satan’s rule.
  • Believers must not love the world (1 John 2:15–17; Matt. 6:24).
  • Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
  • The world opposes God and His truth (John 15:18–27).

Believers’ relation to the world:

  1. Dead to the world (Gal. 6:14).
  2. Overcome the world through faith (1 John 5:4).
  3. Evangelize the world (John 17:18; Matt. 28:19–20).

E. The Christian and the Flesh

  • “Flesh” refers to the sinful nature opposing God.
  • The flesh resists spiritual things (Gal. 5:16–17).
  • Nothing good dwells in it (Rom. 7:18).
  • It cannot please God (Rom. 8:8).
  • It causes strife and division (1 Cor. 3:3–4).
  • Following the flesh leads to loss of joy, peace, assurance, and faith.

F. How Christians Can Avoid Sin

  • Be alert to Satan’s attacks (1 Pet. 5:8).
  • Put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:10–18).
  • Trust in God’s sovereignty (Job 1–2; John 16:33).
  • Walk in the light (1 John 1:7–9).
  • Meditate on God’s Word (Ps. 119:9, 11).
  • Resist the devil (James 4:7).
  • Pray continually (1 Thess. 5:16–18).

G. Restoration After Sin

  • Christ intercedes for believers (1 John 2:1).
  • Confession (1 John 1:9).
  • Repentance (Rev. 2:5).
  • Forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5–11).
  • Renewal and restored service (Rev. 2:5).