I’ve been hearing about and reading about how the doctrine of Original Sin has fallen into the realm of politically

incorrect thinking these days. How dare it be insinuated that everyone is utterly wretched and sinful. Sinful since

conception, in fact! We live in a world where it seems like we focus on everyone’s need for self esteem. We are

to concentrate on how good we are. We have to have the power of ‘positive’ thinking. Self esteem is a good

thing for our life in the world, and we are also to encourage one another in our faith.

1 Corinthians 14:3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and

encouragement and consolation.

1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged

While we need to encourage one another, we still need to realize that we are sick and poor miserable sinners.

But wait, you say “I don’t think I’m all that miserable”; but understand that the word miserable refers to anyone

in need of mercy. We all desperately need Christ’s mercy-therefore we are in fact miserable. We need to be able

to acknowledge the disease that is in us due to our original sin. Today even the confessions we say in church

sometimes have become watered down. We acknowledge those sins we do and don’t do, but we can’t mention

how utterly sick and sinful we have been from the time we were conceived.

Psalm 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones

because of my sin.

Mark 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those

who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

I heard recently on the White Horse Inn how many people, including many of the pastors in American

Evangelicalism, don’t believe in Original Sin any more. Pelagianism was a heresy that the early church had to

fight against. Well, guess what? It’s back! That’s a scary thought. It reminds us there is nothing new under the

sun. To think that in America today many churches have done away with the idea of Original Sin which goes

against American idealism. Yet Original Sin is something that the Bible clearly teaches. I’m sure that is why they

have been able to do away with infant Baptism. That is a very sad fact. To turn a precious Gift that is given to us

into a work to show they believe.

Romans 5:12 [ Death in Adam, Life in Christ ] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and

death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and salvation came to us all through the One who could

redeem us, Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth, died and rose again to save us from all our sins. I’m thankful we

have Confession and Absolution in our church services. We need to be able to admit to others, as well as to

ourselves how sick and wretched we really are. We need to cling to the cross and Christ’s awesome grace and

mercy that He freely gives to us! Until and unless we can admit how sinful we truly are, we cannot completely

appreciate how much we need our Savior.

So, let’s not worry about the political correctness of our day which thinks we should never be ashamed or feel

any guilt. Shame and guilt can be good things, because they direct you to the cross, and the empty tomb that

tells you that Jesus loves you and He did it all for you!

Kari Anderson

Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission (CLCC)

December 1, 2009