Friday, August 29, 2008

Question for Muslims: Original Sin

I'm taking part in some presentations next month, and I've been asked to list Islam's main objections to various topics. I'll toss this out to my Muslim friends. What are your main objections to the doctrine of Original (or Inherited) Sin?

13 comments:

B said...

One could be that such a crucial concept is not clearly taught in the OT and is Paul's invention in order to try and make some sense out of Jesus dying for your sins.

Another could be that it is illogical how God would transfer Adam's sin to my account and that i would have to bear guilt for it. That i would immediately be born condemned because of what Adam did.

However, not all Christians agree on their understanding of original sin. Most Roman Catholics don't believe that we share the guilt of the sin of Adam. Thus, my second point won't be against them and only against those that do hold that view.

However, Orthodox Christians would hold the view that the original sin is hereditary and would be transfered to someone else causing him spiritual and physical death. This also doesn't sound appealing, but I don't see anything illogical about it.

Make sure to record your presentation, would be curious to know what you say.

David Wood said...

All right, that's two objections to Original Sin. Does anyone have any others?

Nazam said...
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B said...

david if you type "concept of original sin" in google it can link you up to useful papers.

LouisJ-B said...

Yes!Sir.*THESE* routes should be preferred in most of your future debates,Lord willing of course.

The differences concerning the Fundamentals are So profound that a meaningful exchange is impossible due to incomprehension.

I'd invite you,David,and your Muslim audience to this video on youtube.The name of the video is
What Did Jesus Accomplish? [Atonement] (Jim McClarty)

Dk said...

David, here is one from an Atheist(me).

God allows mankind to follow their wicked nature and then punishes them for it! Isn't that like punishing a Zebra for having white and black stripes?

BlackBaron said...

Dk,
See the 9th chapter of Romans verses 14 to 24.

Paul anticipates your objection and provides a response.

Dk said...

Mr Baron,

I'm familiar with Romans 9. And I don't see the relationship with these passages and original sin and punishment which is what my question is referring to.

I do see the subject of election and I assume you agree with Paul: "Who are we to question the creator?" and "God will have mercy on whom he wants".

If you are trying to say God is just in punishing sinners (who can't help but follow their nature and sin!), and he can have mercy on whom he wants because hes the Creator he can do what he wants afterall! Then I simply don't accept this explanation. The reaason why of course is in the last half of the question:

"Isn't that like punishing a Zebra for having white and black stripes?"

In other words words, it would be silly to punish a zebra for being a zebra!

Cheers,
Dk

Yahya Hayder Seymour said...

It's inhumane and unjust, and makes no rational sense, why do I have to inherit the evil deeds perpetrated by one of my forefathers?

Nazam said...
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Nazam said...

Read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 18, it's a response to the whole concept of Original Sin.

"What is this proverb people keep repeating in the land of Israel? The parents ate the sour grapes but the children got the sour taste...you will not repeat this proverb in Israel anymore...the person who sins is the one who will die...a son is not to suffer because of his father's sins..A good man will be rewarded for doing good...all his sins will be forgiven and he will live because he did what is right. Do you think I enjoy seeing an evil man die?...No, I would rather see him repent and live.

Nazam said...

I was invited on Christian Radio station Premier to give my objections to the atonement. Here's the link.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhw4bTeWq1k

Nazam said...

Here is a question.
If sin is inherited, then how can the Bible claim that Jesus, being born in this world, was without sin (Hebrews 4:15)?

If it is that sin is only passed through the fathers. Since Jesus did not have an earthly father, he did not inherit Adam's sin.

The difficulty in this position is that the Bible does not say that sin is only inherited through the father.

In fact Ezekiel says to the contrary.