Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle

Blocher, who teaches systematic theology at the Faculte Libre de Theologie Evangelique, Vaux-sur-Seine, France, approaches original sin as a riddle. As he sees it, the riddle arises not so much from original sin as from the widespread denial of the concept in a century marked by unprecedented violence and cruelty. After a general survey of biblical material, Blocher turns to Paul's discussion in Romans 5 of the relationship between Christ and Adam. He contends that a close reading of the fall of Adam does not bear the interpretation that Adam's sin and guilt were transferred to later generations. Rather, he asserts, the freedom of Adam's will to choose evil represents ""an inborn state"" that results in alienation from God. Freedom of the will is part of the human condition and that freedom entails a hereditary separation from God. However, Blocher sees this state as a ""gate of hope"" that opens humanity to compassion rather than despair. ""Recognizing our radical separation from God and our potentail to choose evil should lead not to condemnation but to compassion."" says Blocher. His account of original sin goes far in rehabilitating the doctrine of original sin from its traditionally negative associations. (Feb.)