From ‘Focus on Faith’, Stretton Focus, January 2014
With a newborn baby in the family my thoughts turned to the concept of original sin. It’s not a concept which I have ever readily accepted. Just looking at the beauty, helplessness and total innocence of a newborn child the idea that it requires forgiveness in order to function as christian is not something I can accept.
Original sin is deep rooted in the bible and has pervaded Christian theology from the earliest days. The fifth century heretic Pelagius challenged the idea but the church found powerful arguments against him. His belief that redemption was made accessible through actions in life was outlawed by the church.
Forgiveness is inextricably tied in with the exercise of power within the Medieval church. Baptism washed away original sin but it also placed the child within the control structures of the church. Thereafter confession was essential before receiving the Communion, the sacrament of redemption. Ritual words and active penance completed the act. Confession put an intimate knowledge of the workings of his community into the hands of the priest, effectively it required the individual to cede control over his life.
The idea of being able to take your place in heaven through the spirit’s power of redemption is much more an idea of the reformed Churches today. It is not solely about forgiveness nor about doing good deeds.
The Lord’s Prayer positions the idea of seeking forgiveness for doing wrong alongside our willingness to forgive others. It tells us to open ourselves to the spirit of forgiveness, to be able to grant and to receive. The promise that forgiveness is within the power of the spirit, and can be reached by all of us makes nonsense of original sin. If we extend the idea we need no longer rely on rituals and forms of words for forgiveness.
I find that a much more attractive approach to the workings of right and wrong in today’s society. I want to see our family’s children living a good and happy life, I don’t want them shackled to ancient dogma, I want to see them reach out through life to a deeper understanding of the spirit, which is relevant to them today and tomorrow.
Roger Wilson
