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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Mar 2004
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What is the Eastern definition of Original sin?
I am in some confusion about this because Byzantines say they have a different doctrine that Roman Catholics? Same thing with Purgatory and the Papacy I thought since we are all Catholics we share these beliefs.
A confused Catholic
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Perhaps you would like to begin by telling us your beliefs, and also your understanding of the teachings of the RCC.
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Orthodox Catholic Toddler Member
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Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! Greetings, It is a common practice for some people to inquire about eastern theology with no other interest than in attacking or "correcting" it. I hope this is not the case, the subject is not up for debate. Trusting that a spirit of charitable understanding is desired by all, with some reservation I will attempt to answer the question. I beg everyone's forgiveness because I am in no way qualified. In the interest of clarity I shall post this in the words of the original authors. Original Sin: The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994-1997) writes:
405-
Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam's descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it; subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death; and inclined to sin - an inclination to evil that is called "concupiscence". Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ's Grace, reverses original sin and turns a man back toward God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle.
Casimir Kucharek in Our Faith (1983) writes:
pp 80-81
After the fall man's mind was darkened, his will was weakened. His built-in control was gone - and all the world has had to struggle ever since. Passion no longer heeds reason; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, because man's nature bacame warped, within and without. (emphasis mine)
By it's nature the body tends to dissolution and death; yet, had man persevered in his state of innocence, God would have preserved his vitality, protected him from outward dangers and, finally, taken him into everlasting bliss, without him having tasted death. Freedom from physical death implies all this and more.
Jordan Bajis in Common Ground (1996) writes:
pp 231-232
In the fall, man turned his back on God's love; by doing so, every evil followed. In exchange for true life, man created an inauthentic life, only an "existence". In every respect, humanity continues to testify that the image and likeness of God has been distorted and muddied. Adam's selfish independence yields a rotting crop of devastation. Man's will is weakened, his reason blurred, and his moral and spiritual perceptions are dimmed. His inability to live in harmony with others is clear evidence that he has been taken over by his own self-destructive desires. Man loves only himself and seeks to order all things around himself. He becomes like a river ceasing to flow outside itself, stagnation and death are the consequences. Man becomes both the author and inheritor of death. He tastes death on every plane: physically, relationally, spiritually and eternally.
Original sin therefore, is the transgression of pride and selfishness that fractured man's communion with God, others and creation. Yes, the fall blurred the image of God within man, but did not obliterate it. The fall could never be the contraction of Adam's personal sin or guilt...Guilt can only be the result of an act which the person himself has freely commited. No one can sin for another. Man needs a savior to escape death and be forgiven for his own transgressions. So the short answer might be, we have inherited a broken or distorted nature against which we can expect to struggle our entire earthly lives. I hope that this is a help to you. Michael, that sinner
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Dear RP: You might also want to check out Anthony Dragani's website http://www.east2west.org/ under the "Read Frequently Asked Questions" link which goes into the topics you mentioned and many others. Anthony is the Moderator of the Church News section of this forum. God bless, Rony
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thank you for the information you have given
thank you many thanks
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