Sin death and beyond
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
SIN, DEATH AND BEYOND: M.M.NINAN<br />
,<br />
Cornelius Jansen (1585–1638), professor at the Old University of Louvain<br />
The Greek Fathers emphasized the cosmic dimension of the Fall, namely that since Adam<br />
human beings are born into a fallen world, but held fast to belief that man, though fallen, is<br />
free. This approach is corroborated by the Parable of the Prodigal Son, who though strayed<br />
away <strong>and</strong> fallen in sin was able to make up his choice to return who was received by the father<br />
<strong>and</strong> reinstated with full rights as a Son. The emphasis here is that inspite of the fall the sinful<br />
nature is transmitter from parents to children, the mankind still retains the freedom to choose<br />
ultimately against any such tendency to return to the original state with God the Father.<br />
Augustine of Hippo (354–430) taught that Adam's sin is transmitted by concupiscence, or<br />
"hurtful desire", sexual desire <strong>and</strong> all sensual feelings resulting in humanity becoming a<br />
massa damnata (mass of perdition, condemned crowd), with much enfeebled, though not<br />
destroyed, freedom of will. In other words the sin of Eve <strong>and</strong> Adam was the sexual act.<br />
34
Change language