The ‘sin’ and the ‘fall’ in this paper illustrate two conditions, which according to tradition, have been inherited by the human race. The former is the sinful condition human beings are born into, and the latter is the biblical account in Genesis 3 which recounts the story of the fall of Adam and Eve through their disobedience. From the Christian standpoint, both narratives essentially establish the foundation of the doctrine of Original Sin. All men are implicated in Adam’s sin (CCC, 402). “By one man’s disobedience many (that is, all men) were made sinners” (Rom 5:12). But history reveals that humanity existed before the story of the fall, and prior to the prohibition from eating the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17), is the positive command to care for creation, our common home. Man’s freedom is put to the test, not alone by prohibition, but primarily by friendship and free submission to God (CCC, 396). This essay, “Sin before the Fall” appropriately exudes an understanding of the doctrine of Original Sin in the light of Laudato Si. While it contextually implicates the human race to the sinful structure, it significantly reminds God’s original justice and man’s responsibility toward the harmony of creation.

Authors:
Revenendo Vargas, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Revenendo Vargas is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at University of Santo Tomas in Philippines

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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