The Formation of the Teaching on Original Sin from the First Through the Fifth Centuries

This article surveys the sources, appearance, development, and establishment of the teaching on original sin as dogma. The material is presented in historical sequence and encompasses the period from the first to the fifth centuries when the church’s teaching on this matter was formulated. The overv...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Oleg BUDAKOV
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Eastern European Instute of Theology 2016-06-01
Series:Богословські роздуми: Східноєвропейський журнал богословʼя
Subjects:
Online Access:http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/78860
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This article surveys the sources, appearance, development, and establishment of the teaching on original sin as dogma. The material is presented in historical sequence and encompasses the period from the first to the fifth centuries when the church’s teaching on this matter was formulated. The overview begins with a statement of the Jewish view on human nature and moves on to an analysis of New Testament sources (Romans) that prepared the ground for the development of the Christian teaching on original sin. The history of this teaching’s development in the second and third centuries is briefly surveyed. The theology of Origen and his thinking on original sin is examined separately because of its distinction. The question is raised concerning the influence of Origen’s system on the development of church teaching. A comparative analysis is made of the acceptance of the teaching on original sin in the Christian world during the second, third, and fourth centuries. Special attention is given to Augustine’s teaching on original sin, which concludes the discussion on early Christianity. A comparative analysis is also made of Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) theological schools – specifically their commonalties and differences in their understanding of the nature of original sin. The influence of original sin on the life of the church (and especially on the practice of baptism) is briefly noted. The main sources for this article were the Bible, the Talmud, and works of early Christians, especially Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Cyprian, Gregory Thaumaturgos, Augustine, John Chrysostom, etc.
ISSN:2789-1569
2789-1577