Are Men Born Sinners? - Library of Theology

could David make for his sins than the excuse that he was born a sinner? But these are
not the words of a man making excuses for his sins; these are the words of a man
humbled and deeply repentant for having sinned against God.
To interpret this text literally violates two fundamental rules of sound Biblical
interpretation. The first one is the rule that a text must not be interpreted in such a way as
to contradict the clear teachings of the Bible in other parts. The Bible is the word of God.
It is without error or contradiction, and so it is only reasonable that each part should
maintain a unity, harmony, and agreement with every other part. God is not the God of
confusion and contradiction. There is unity and agreement throughout his Word.
But we have already pointed out that a literal interpretation of Psalm 51:5 is completely
inconsistent with its context, because it amounts to David making an excuse for his sins
in a Psalm which is manifestly a confession of guilt for his sins. The whole character and
spirit of the Psalm is contradicted and changed by giving verse five a literal meaning.
A literal interpretation is also inconsistent with the figurative and symbolic language used
throughout this Psalm. To arbitrarily give a literal meaning to this one verse, without
giving a literal meaning to the other symbolic expressions in this Psalm shows an
inconsistency in interpretation that can only be explained by a prepossessed belief in the
doctrine of original sin.
A literal interpretation of Psalm 51:5 is also inconsistent with numerous passages and
teachings throughout the Bible. It makes God the Creator of sinners. For the Bible clearly
teaches that God is our Creator, that he forms us in our mother's womb, and that he gives
us life, breath, and all things. It directly contradicts the Scriptures that teach that God has
created us upright and in his own image. And it makes Jesus a sinner, for the Bible
clearly teaches that Jesus took upon himself human nature and became a man. Heb. 2:11,
14, 16-18; Heb. 4:15.
The second rule that it breaks is the rule that a text must not be interpreted in such a way
as to contradict reality. We should forever remember that the Bible does not teach
nonsense. It does not teach that God breaks our bones when we sin (Psalm 51:8). It does
not teach that broken bones rejoice (Psalm 51:8). It does not teach that our sins are
purged with hyssop (Psalm 51:7). It does not teach that babies speak and tell lies as soon
as they are born (Psalm 58:3). It does not teach that men go back into their mother's
womb (Job 1:21). And it does not teach that the substance of unborn babies is sinful
(Psalm 51:5). These are all figurative expressions, and to interpret them in their literal
sense is to teach nonsense and what every man knows to be impossible and contrary to
reality.
The nature of sin, the nature of justice, and the nature of God are such that it is
impossible for men to be born sinners. First, sin is voluntary. Is it a sin to be born with
blue eyes, black hair, a small nose, or large ears? Is it a sin to be born short or tall? Is it a
sin to be born at all? No, because we have no choice in the matter of our birth. Our birth,
and everything we are and have at birth, is ours completely involuntarily. Second, sin is