Inheritance of the original line
In this profound sermon by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, he explains the doctrine of the inheritance of original sin from a precise theological and spiritual perspective, affirming that humanity inherited from Adam and Eve both the sin itself and the corruption of human nature, not one without the other. He bases this on clear Biblical texts, especially from Romans 5, where it says: “By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
🔹 Biblical and Theological Evidence
His Holiness clarifies that mankind was in the loins of Adam when he sinned, and thus shares in the consequences of that sin, just as the Epistle to the Hebrews states about Levi being in Abraham’s loins. He also cites Psalm 51 where David says, “In sin did my mother conceive me,” showing that the original sin is inherited in human nature from birth.
🔹 Baptism and Redemption
Pope Shenouda explains that God did not leave humanity in its fall but granted a way of salvation through baptism and redemption. Through baptism, the original sin is forgiven, and through Christ’s blood, the judgment of death is lifted. Christ’s death was not merely a display of love but a sacrificial and just death that fulfilled divine justice, as Scripture says: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
🔹 Refuting False Teachings
He warns against doctrines denying original sin or diminishing the meaning of redemption, emphasizing that rejecting divine justice weakens faith in the cross. Christ was not unjustly punished but willingly bore humanity’s punishment, thus fulfilling both love and justice.
🔹 Balance of Love and Justice
His Holiness stresses that God’s attributes never contradict — He is merciful in His justice and just in His mercy. On the cross, mercy and truth met, and divine justice filled with love was revealed.
🔹 Spiritual Message
He concludes by calling believers to hold fast to the true Orthodox faith, far from misleading ideologies, reminding that redemption is both an act of love and justice through which we became children of God and gained new life in Christ Jesus.
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