Are Men Born Sinners? - Library of Theology

appealing to the false logic that "a belief held by the majority for a long time is proof of
its truth."
12. OBJECTION: The Jews believed in the doctrine of original sin at the time of Jesus.
They said to the man born blind: "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach
us?" John 9:34. This verse shows that the doctrine of original sin is true.
ANSWER: This verse does not teach that there was a belief in the doctrine of original sin
at the time of Jesus, nor does it teach that the religious leaders believed in original sin. If
anything, it teaches the exact opposite, because if the religious leaders had believed in
original sin, they would have been forced to say something like this: "Well, you have as
much right to teach us as we do to teach you, since we are all, altogether born in sins."
But they were not, in any way, including themselves in this thing of being "altogether
born in sins." They were excluding themselves and limiting it only to the man born blind.
What they really were saying was this: "You're a vile, despicable sinner, and you
presume to teach us? We are holy and righteous before God and will you who was
altogether born in sins presume to teach us?" They were not teaching the doctrine of
original sin anymore than David taught it when he said of himself, "Behold, I was shapen
in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." In fact, they meant to say the same
thing about the man born blind that David meant to say about himself. David meant to
say that he was a vile and despicable sinner and guilty before God, and they meant to say
the same thing about the man born blind. But they, in no way, meant to include
themselves with the man born blind and teach that they also were "altogether born in
sins."
The above text no more teaches the doctrine of original sin than the question the disciples
asked Christ teaches it. "Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born
blind?" Christ answered their question with the words, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor
his parents." John 9:3.
We must be careful not to make doctrines out of either the statements of false religious
leaders or the speculative questions of Christ's disciples.
In darkness it lurks behind a mask of decency and respectibility fashioned of biblical
proof-texts.
It cringes and pulls away when the brilliant light of Bible truth falls upon it.
It retreats to the shadows when the dazzling light of reason and common sense
approaches.
It flees and hides from the glaring gaze of close scrutiny.
And there in the darkness it skulks, fearful that its mask be torn away, and it, at last,
without its covering, wither and die under the burning light of truth.